Faust

Only a small audience was attracted probably due to earliness in the new year. The house was only half-filled. The new bassist Chandon sang beautifully; however, it was obvious when experiencing his acting and presentation that he lacks experience on the opera stage. In general, the Thalia Theater is not appropriate for opera performances. The stage is too small for the elaborate opera decorations.

“The Germans at the Thalia Theatre have opened a season of opera, which in the interest of the great and distinctive music, Germans have so much at heart, we trust is to be well sustained. We are led to hope that a German season will reacquaint us with many grand works which the fashion of the day ignores as almost obsolete, but which are still cherished with a studious enthusiasm by those who, seeking music at the source instead of at the reservoir, will drink and be refreshed from fountains undefiled. The managers of the Thalian opera may do so much for us if they win encouragement, and we trust they will. They have a German audience to satisfy, to whose intelligent hunger for sound and substantial music our ordinary opera-going is simply a taste, wanting in earnestness and appetite. They will not present us the best singers, but we shall probably hear the best music; and if it is fairly and carefully rendered, a public whose mind must be charmed as well as its superficial senses, must not be dissatisfied.”

The other German ensemble will consist of some French opera ensemble members and also of members of Grover’s ensemble. It will be led by Mr. Armand, the tenore robusto of the French opera. The performances will take place at the Thalia Theater which seems too small in stage and auditorium for opera.