Grau Havana Opera: Un ballo in maschera

“We know that many of the regular attendants of the opera have left town, and that the taste for opera has been already well nigh satiated, but we know also that if our public generally were aware of the real excellence of the Grau company, there would be full houses every night this week.”

“The opera of ‘Un Ballo in Maschera’ was given . . . last evening to a slim audience, but very fashionable. Many of the leading habitués of the regular opera being present. The performance was very excellent. Noel Guidi, whom we heard for the first time, is a good artist, possessing a pure and beautiful voice, which she uses with infinite skill.  Boschetti made a most lovely Oscar, for a more beautiful woman in person and face, we have rarely seen assume the male character. She sang very charmingly, and was the object of general admiration. Polini was also excellent as the fortune teller. Anastasi fully sustained the favorable impression he made on Saturday, and won a hearty encore for his beautiful rendering of his song in the second act. Orlandini and the other artists acquitted themselves well.”

“‘Un Ballo in Maschera’ was given here last evening in an exceedingly agreeable manner. The opera requires many artists, and it is necessary that they be all good in their separate rôles. We have barely become acquainted with Mr. Grau’s company, but its even quality was certainly demonstrated in the representation of this work. Mme. Noel-Guidi was an admirable Amelia. Her pure and true voice told not only in the great scene of the third act, but in those scenes which precede it. It has quality, steadiness and strength—three items which we rarely find combined in a single artiste. Mme. Guidi's presence is youthful, and her efforts are all conscientious, and therefore good. She will, we are sure, become a favorite with our public. Mlle. Boschetti was a pretty Oscar. To this part belongs the lightest and best music of the opera. The lady rendered it with spirit, but her voice is veiled and unpleasant. Signor Anastasi was an excellent Richard. The romance of the fourth act has never been heard to better advantage. It was sung with the feeling of an artist, and with a fulness [sic] and clearness of voice which we scarcely expected. Signor Orlandini was also thoroughly acceptable as Reinhardt. He has a smooth yet powerful baritone, and acts with intelligence. The performance in every other aspect was capital, and if times were different would merit a repetition.”

 “It is not often that any operatic company can produce such a work as ‘Un Ballo in Maschera’ with as good a degree of success as attended the efforts of Mr. Grau’s company last night. All the leading performers were happy in the conception and execution of the parts assigned them. Madame Guidi assumed the character of Amelia with fidelity. Her voice is pure, strong, and well under her control.  She made an excellent impression last night. Mlle. Boschetti as Oscar was admirable, her beautiful personal appearance, easy and graceful acting and thoroughly artistic singing, winning for her the enthusiastic favor of the audience from her first appearance. Madame Polini rendered the part of Ulrica effectively. Signor Anastasi appeared to especial advantage as Richard, his voice having apparently more power than usual and all its ordinary purity and sweetness.  Signor Orlandini as Reinhart did well, as he always does.

    The audience was a small one, but it was mainly composed of the most cultivated and fashionable people in the city. We believe that it was the prevailing impression of those present that the performance of last evening was one of unusual excellence, and that in ordinary times would draw crowded houses for a long succession of nights.”

The event was sparsely attended. The performance was decent except for Anastasi’s “Richard.” Anastasi’s voice does not possess the strength for this part.