Anschütz German Opera: Freischütz

Event Information

Venue(s):
German Opera House

Manager / Director:
Carl Anschütz

Conductor(s):
Carl Anschütz

Event Type:
Opera

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
25 June 2012

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

25 Oct 1862, Evening

Program Details

COMMENT: This was the first Saturday evening performance of the German Opera.

Performers and/or Works Performed

1)
Freischütz, Der
aka Der Freischutz; The Freeshooter; Freyschutz
Composer(s): Weber
Text Author: Kind
Participants:  Anschütz German Opera Company;  Anton Graf;  J. Kronfeld;  Joseph Weinlich;  Johanna Rotter;  Bertha Johannsen;  Ludwig Quint

Citations

1)
Advertisement: New York Herald, 25 October 1862, 7.
Performers.
2)
Advertisement: New-York Times, 25 October 1862, 7.
Performers.
3)
Review: New York Herald, 27 October 1862, 5.
Given for the 3rd time. “The scientific but beautiful music of the piece was done full justice to by Mesdames Johannsen and Rotter, who were repeatedly encored.”
4)
Review: New-York Times, 27 October 1862, 5.

“[F]ailed to excite the usual interest.  Both ladies of the company were excellent; indeed, we have rarely heard Mme. Johannsen to such marked advantage as in the hackneyed but difficult scena of the second act.  In clearness of phrasing and general effectiveness of power, it deserves to rank with the best efforts of the lyric stage.  It is not possible to say as much of the other artists, but Mme. Rotter, Herr Weinlich, the chorus, and the orchestra, were at least up to the average excellence of German operatic houses in Germany.  Herr Quint acted his rôle with spirit, and atoned in this way for some harshness of vocalization.  It is not presumed that this company is the best that can be got together; but it is, at all events, better than any other that has ever been formed in this City.  With due encouragement and a decent amount of kindliness from the German Press, it can easily be made to blossom into something of permanent value to the world of art. . . . It is impossible to find a better conductor for the purpose than Mr. Carl Anschutz, and hence all that has been done so far has been marked by rare artistic feeling and liberality.”