Grover German Opera Company: Faust

“A crowded house at the Olympic last night sufficiently attested the public appreciation of the enterprise of Mr. Grover in furnishing us a season of German opera.  No manager in the country has had his experience in this line, and no one could, at so short notice, have gathered a stronger or more effective company.  ‘Faust’ was performed last evening in a very satisfactory manner.  The main interest, of course, centered on Mr. Hermanns whose Mephistopheles is as near perfection as any we have ever witnessed.  He never for a moment ceases to look and act the part he has made his own.  For the sake of those who have never seen his admirable rendition of this character, we urge Mr. Grover to give at least one more night of ‘Faust’ before the season closes.

            “By our prominent mention of Mr. Hermann we do not mean to intimate that he was an exception to a performance generally indifferent.  Exactly the reverse was the case.  The other parts were all faithfully, and, in some instances, remarkably well sustained, and the entire opera was evidently keenly enjoyed.  The orchestral portion of the performance, under the direction of Mr. Neuendorff, was excellent.

            “There has not for years been a company so well qualified to give German operas as this which Mr. Grover now has, and to doubt his success would argue a degree of insensibility or ignorance on the part of the public, which the crowded houses of last night and Monday night forbid us to assume.”

“’Faust’ and ‘The Magic Flute’ have been given with sterling success and unusual force by Grover’s German Opera Troupe, at the Olympic.”

“‘Faust’ was the next attraction. Hermanns Frederici, Himmer and Wm. Formes composed the quartet. It would be difficult to find a better even in Germany.”