Maretzek Italian Opera: Martha

     The opera of ‘Martha’ was last night given at the Academy in a very good style. Miss Kellogg, as Lady Henrietta, and Miss Phillips, as Nancy, were particularly successful. While the former sang invariably well—judged by her own high standard—she was especially felicitous in the ‘Last Rose of Summer’ song, not only as regards the mere vocalization, but in the expressiveness she gave to the words. This was made the more manifest to the audience when—on receiving an enthusiastic encore—she boldly deviated from the strict properties and sang the English words.

     Miss Phillips had a better chance than usual, and nobly improved the opportunity. Her voice, which is always rich and melodious to the critical ear even in subordinate passages, seems to improve and develop as the occasion demands. We believe that we see evidences that there is a growing appreciation of her genius as singer and actress, which is more than deserved. These two American prima donnas last night not only came up to their reputation as vocal artists, but won new laurels in the line of fine acting. We doubt if the humor of the parts they assumed was ever enacted with more spirit and success. The extempore ‘by-play’ of Miss Phillips was especially happy.

     Signor Irfre, although, to appearance, occasionally troubled with some difficulty in his throat, sang with more than usual power and feeling. Antonucci, especially in the great duet between himself and Irfre, did nobly. The choruses were pretty good in the main so that in the finale of the third act was given with a great deal of spirit and energy.

     One portion of the performance we regret to notice, but it attracted the attention of so many present that we cannot forbear. We allude to the running accompaniment which—especially during one of Miss Phillips’s beautiful solos—was kept up by the occupants of some of the private boxes. Similar disturbances in the gallery would call for and receive the attention of police.”