Grover German Opera Company: William Tell

“The reprise of William Tell at the Olympic theatre last night brought out, as on the opening night of the German opera, the full strength of Mr. Grover’s excellent company. Mlles. Naddi, Frederici and Rotter, and Messrs. Hermanns, Himmer, Formes, Chandon, Groschel, and Armand. There was a marked improvement in many places over the first night, and the ensemble in every chorus and concerted pieces was admirable in every respect. This opera should certainly be repeated by Mr. Grover during the season, as the music is grand, yet of the popular kind, and the company enter into its spirit fully. The choruses last night were rendered in a style superior to anything given in opera this season, and the orchestra under Neuendorf much improved.”

“The best performance the German Opera has yet given us is undoubtedly that of William Tell.  We have therefore to hope that it will be heard again by an audience worthy of it. Whatever may be the precise merit of Rossini’s music (and it is high in respect to both science and inspiration), its vitality seems inexhaustible, and but little other lyrical music that rules the stage appears to be worked up with so wide a variety toward a climax, and such a powerful massing of distinct, delicate, yet emphatic, and beautiful effects. The concerted music in the second act, especially the grand scene of the Cantons, so splendidly given by the chorus Friday night—its dramatic action timing so finely in every way with the music, as it reached its explosive climax: the memorable trio on the same act, sung as no other music has been sung for many seasons, by Hermanns as Waldo Furst, Formes as Tell, and Himmer as Arnold, and we ought also to mention the fine sextett in the first act, a piece of complex dramatic music, the texture of which is altogether original and never threadbare: such passages as these may be cited in praise of the great ability with which the Germans at the Olympic have re-vocalized a powerful work.”