Grover German Opera: The Magic Flute

“The third night of the German opera season at the Olympic theatre brought out the Magic Flute, a sportive effort of the tender imagination of Mozart.  The opera is not attractive in a dramatic sense, for a more absurd libretto could hardly be written; but the two creations of Papageno and Papagena are inimitable. Wilhelm Formes and Madame Rotter ably sustained both parts. The duet, ‘The Manly Heart,’ between Tamina (Mlle. Frederici) and Papageno in the first act received an overwhelming encore, as did also the exquisitely funny duet in the finale, between Formes and Mme. Rotter. Mlle. Naddi’s ‘Queen of Night’ may be classed among her happiest efforts in opera; but we would advise her to dismiss her attendants, for sundry vocal reasons, the next time the opera is given. Goschel’s voice is not particularly attractive, and his Tamino will never add much to his reputation. The orchestra was better than on the two preceding nights, which is saying a great deal for it. Chanden made a very grave and Hamlet sort of high priest, and got through his ungrateful part creditably. Mr. Grover’s company has excellent materials in it, and his enterprise deserves the hearty support of the public. Mlle. Naddi is a charming vocalist and a thoroughly finished actress; Mlle. Frederici has a good, sympathetic voice, although the lack of musical education is often apparent, and she seems to understand her roles well; Madame Rotter enters into the full spirit and appreciation of her part, and makes the most of her voice, and Madame Johannsen still preserves a great deal of her former power and sweetness of voice. Among the male voices there are three very fine bassos—Joseph Hermanns, Wilhelm Formes and Chandon. Himmer is an acceptable tenor, and his acting, although too Boweryish and melodramatic at times, is generally far superior to the thousand and one tenors we have been inflicted with in opera. The chorus is the best feature in the troupe, and, as it is the most necessary element in German opera, it will undoubtedly contribute the largest share to the success of the season. Adolph Neuendorf is an energetic conductor, and will, we hope, smooth down the rugged points in the orchestra ere the week is out. The latter, however, will compare favorably with any orchestra in the city at present for opera purposes.”

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

“German Opera appears to be ‘reconstructed’ under its old impresario, Mr. Grover. The singers, tired of divisions and of experiments in little squads upon their own account, have rallied around Grover again, showing a disposition to be tractable. Grover has taken the Olympic theatre, where, besides the artists who have lately been singing at the Thalia (Mlle. Naddi, Wm. Formes, &c.), he has again about him Johannsen, Frederici, Rotter, Himmer, Hermanns, &c., making together a really stronger company than that which made so good a beginning two or three years ago. The repertoire, too, bids fair to be fine, judging from this paragraph in a late number of the Evening Post.” [quotes Evening Post review]