Maretzek Italian Opera: Crispino e la Comare

“To-night ‘Crispino e la Comare,’ which is always enjoyable, will be given.  Signora Peralta will sing two extra pieces displaying her great facility of execution, and a ‘ballet divertissement’ will be introduced.  Madame Testa and Signors Ronconi, Bellini, and Antonucci are assigned their usual parts.”

“The representation of ‘Crispino e la Comare’ at the Academy last evening varied but little from those given last season. The part of Annetta was taken by Signora Peralta, but the rest of the cast remained unaltered. In fact it could not be improved, for it is difficult to conceive of more perfect personations [sic] of the leading characters than those given by Signors Ronconi, Bellini and Antonucci. The irresistibly comical duo between the two former was as much enjoyed as ever.”

Crispino was very popular last season. Last night’s performance was very well attended. The big attraction was also the debut of Peralta as “Annetta”, replacing Kellogg. Peralta exceeded the skills of Kellogg vocally. She received much applause with two extra songs: Ascher’s rondo brilliante and a polka. The rest of the cast was the same. Antonucci and Bellini were very amusing in their doctor parts. 

“The performance on Tuesday night comprised the comic opera by the brothers RICCI, ‘Crispino e la Comare,’ which gave such general satisfaction last year, when Sig. RONCONI and Miss KELLOGG gave animation to the leading rôles. The great attraction of this performance is now, as it was then, RONCONI’S Cobbler, a conception of its kind, unique. The absence of Miss KELLOGG, whose Anetta was altogether an admirable effort of vocalization and vivacity, is not so sad a drawback, when the sense of hearing only is considered, for in all the vocal requirements of the part of the cobbler’s wife, Senora PERALTA is unquestionable. The song—we can scarcely call it a duet, seeing that Anetta has it nearly all to herself—with dance, at the end of the first act, would secure favor in a much weaker cast, sung and expressed as it is by Senora PERALTA. There is no more zealous artist on the stage to-day than this lady, and she does all that lies within the power of her treasure of voice to compensate for other drawbacks. The other parts were filled, as before, by Sig. TESTA, (Contino del Fiore,) Sig. ANTONUCCI, (the Doctor,) and Sig. BELLINI, who is at home in every part that by any accident accrues to him, as the quack apothecary. One of the best things in Tuesday’s performance was the famous trio, in act third, sung and acted, with infinite spirit and gusto, by Signori RONCONI, BELLINI and ANTONUCCI.”

“Tuesday, Mme Peralta took on the role of Anetta in Crispino e la Comare. She acts less well than Mlle Kellogg, but she sings infinitely better. The piece proceeded well as a whole. The ballet’s a bit stale.” 

Peralta, although a skilled singer, could not live up to the Kellogg’s memory.