Grau Italian Opera: Grand Combination and Gala Night

“The performance will conclude with the entire fourth act of LA FAVORITA, in which Guerrabella and Brignoli have created so much sensation.”

      “Last Night's Ernani.--A very excellent house greeted ‘Ernani’ last evening,. though the expansive powers of the Academy were by no means tested to their fullest capacity. To bring an immense crowd, either a goat or a General is necessary, and last night neither were there. In the part of Elvira, Madame Lorini fully sustained the reputation she has achieved in this country in other parts and justifies the indorsement [sic] which she brings from foreign critics in this somewhat difficult role. Amodio as Carlo was in unusually good voice, and the same may be said of Susini and Maccaferri--the former as Sylvia [sic] and the latter as Ernani.

      Between the second and third acts, Mlle. Cordier–without the goat accompaniment–sang the shadow song aria from ‘Dinorah.’  The fourth act of ‘La Traviata’ was not given, as announced, owing to indisposition on the part of Brignoli--rheumatism we believe--but in its stead Madame Guerrabella sang the popular Brindisi, from the opera of Martha [Macbeth?].”

      “The medley performance of Verdi and Meyerbeer, at the Academy, was deprived of the expected Donizetti element by the continued rheumatism of Brignoli, who could not sing in the act of ‘Favorita.’  Instead, Guerrabella sang with great finish and elegance the ‘Brindisi’ from Macbeth, receiving a heart encore.  Cordier also sang and danced with her usual grace the ‘Shadow Scene’ from ‘Dinorah.’

      The opera ‘Ernani’ was given with considerable energy.  Lorini as Elvira made a happy success, singing with all her usual sweetness and unaccustomed spirit. Amodio, Susini and Maccaferri rendered the other parts. The house was well filled and the evening’s entertainment one of unusual interest.”