Armand German Opera: Don Giovanni

Event Information

Venue(s):
Thalia Theater

Proprietor / Lessee:
Eduard Härting

Manager / Director:
Johann Armand [tenor, director]

Conductor(s):
Adolph Neuendorff

Price: $1 orchestra reserved; $1.50 balcony; $.75 first tier; $.60 balcony reserved; $.50 parquet; $.30 second tier; $10 private booth (for 6 people)

Event Type:
Opera

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
7 October 2015

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

04 Jan 1867, 8:00 PM

Performers and/or Works Performed

1)
Don Giovanni
aka Dissoluto punito, Il; ossia Il Don Giovanni Libertine Punished, The; or Don Giovanni
Composer(s): Mozart
Text Author: da Ponte
Participants:  Armand German Opera;  Wilhelm Groschel [tenor and conductor];  Josef Chandon (role: Leporello);  Marie Frederici (role: Donna Elvira);  Sophie Dziuba (role: Zerlina);  Wilhelm Formes (role: Don Giovanni);  Natalie Seelig (role: Donna Anna)

Citations

1)
Announcement: New-Yorker Staats-Zeitung und Herold, 03 January 1867.
2)
Advertisement: New-York Times, 03 January 1867, 7.
3)
Advertisement: New-Yorker Staats-Zeitung und Herold, 04 January 1867.

Full cast list included.

4)
Review: New-Yorker Staats-Zeitung und Herold, 06 January 1867, 4.

The event attracted a large audience. Unfortunately, the opera itself was not wisely chosen, because the venue was not appropriate. The voices of the singers, especially of the prima donna, came across too strongly and had almost a sedating effect. Dramatic operas should be avoided in this setting and lighter works with a more gentle approach to singing performed instead. The limitations of the stage space are reinforcing this suggestion.

The soloists Selig [sic] and Groschel were the most impressive. Chaudon sang beautifully, but should stay away from big parts until he gained more experience in acting.