Venue(s):
Academy of Music
Manager / Director:
Paul Juignet
Charles Drivet
Status:
Published
Last Updated:
22 October 2012
The pieces were “light and agreeable, and were creditably given. It is to be hoped the French players and singers will soon find a shelter and that Mr. Juignet will not be compelled to wander much longer in the wilderness. He possesses in his company talent enough to add materially to the entertainment of the good people of the metropolis.”
“The singing members of the French company gave a pleasant operatic entertainment at the Academy of Music on Wednesday evening when Halevy’s opera of ‘L’Eclair,’ and the charming operetta of ‘Les Noces de Jeanette,’ by Victor Masse, were given. The test was a sever one in such a house and before an audience of large proportions, but it was successful. Mlle. Naddie has a light and agreeable voice, which she uses discreetly. In a smaller place its quality will be more conspicuous, and sufficient we doubt not for most purposes of comic opera. The lady is a good actress. M. Armand, the tenor, may improve on acquaintance. His voice is not large, nor is his manner impressive. Mlle. Ayosto, being seriously indisposed, did not make her appearance. Mme. De Lussan filled her rôle at short notice, and gave all the satisfaction that could be expected under the circumstances. The operetta was given with great spirit by Messieurs Harndorff and Rousseau and Camille Rousseau.”
Incompetent performers except the well-known voice teacher Mad. de Lussau. She at least has some idea about singing and her technique is noticeable. However, her voice is less impressive. We consider the two chosen operas as two of the best French operas of the last 30 years. Halevy’s L’éclair is together with La Juive his best work. “It seems as though he had exhausted himself with his first two operas.” Everything that followed was only a distorted image and lacked creativity. Masse’s Les Noces de Jeannette does not live up to Halevy’s work.