Maretzek Italian Opera: Dom Sébastien

     “Donizetti’s greatest work, ‘Don Sebastian,’ will be performed here to-night for the last time.  The revival of this fine opera has given much satisfaction to the public and the subscribers.  It is withdrawn only because other novelties are in readiness, and the shortness of the Spring season does not admit of many repetitions.”  

     “The grand opera of Don Sebastian was performed last evening to a large and fashionable audience. In this opera Zucchi has made her grandest success; in it she has put forth her fullest powers, and won even from those who were slow to acknowledge her high dramatic genius, the most enthusiastic encomiums. Last night she was truly grand, fully sustaining the brilliant reputation won by her previous performances of the same character.

     Massimiliani and Bellini divided the honors with Mlle. Zucchi, and well deserved the flattering applause they received. The opera throughout was performed in the most admirable manner.”

     The performance was very good, although the work itself is not one of Donizetti’s strongest.

     This work lacks the “fresh, lively melodies” Donizetti’s other operas possess. Bellini’s, Antonucci’s and Zucchi’s performances were quite good. The not yet well-known tenor Massimiliani excelled, but the chorus could have done better.