Maretzek Italian Opera: Ernani

“…Ernani is the riper product of Signor Verdi’s musical science, whatever it may be worth as compared to the operatic masters—just as the Trovatore, hackneyed and common-place though it appear, is the brightest and warmest flower of his genius as a melodist. Its audience at the Academy lately was respectable, and no more—certainly out of proportion to the combined merits of the work and its rendering. That we regard as one of the very best heard this season. In the theatrical, romantic music of the part of Ernani, Signor Mazzoleni afforded us about as good an expression, both as actor and singer, as any of which he is capable.   The rapture and defiance, the sonority amounting almost to bombast, the genius of situation, which belong to the music of Verdi, are the elements wherein a favorite class of singers live, move, and have their being. The bass music of Ernani is as good as any part of it, and Signor Antonucci, than whom Mr. Maretzek’s troupe contains no more satisfactory singer, is fully equal to it. The air ‘Sia ognuno,’ is an instance of Verdi’s most dignified inspiration, as it was of Antonucci’s ablest delivery. Signorina Carmen Poch has again acquitted herself with credit as a mature actress and singer, this time in the very interesting part of Elvira.”

Explosion in one of the rooms of the Academy, injuring the librarian.