Grover German Opera: Robert le Diable

Event Information

Venue(s):
New-Yorker Stadt-Theater [45-47 Bowery- post-Sept 1864]

Conductor(s):
Adolph Neuendorff

Event Type:
Opera

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
14 December 2015

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

02 Apr 1867, 8:00 PM

Performers and/or Works Performed

1)
Robert le diable
aka Robert the devil; Robert der Teufel
Composer(s): Meyerbeer
Text Author: Scribe, Delavigne
Participants:  Grover German Opera Company;  Wilhelm Groschel [tenor and conductor] (role: Raimbaut);  Joseph Weinlich (role: Bertram);  Johanna Rotter (role: Isabella);  Franz Himmer (role: Robert);  Mlle. [dancer] Kruger (role: Helena);  Alphonse Urchs [Grover German Opera] (role: Knight);  Natalie Seelig (role: Alice)

Citations

1)
Announcement: New-Yorker Musik-Zeitung, 30 March 1867, 537.

The German opera is quite established at the Stadttheater now.  We can hardly believe the information that director Hamann has decided to stage Robert with a completely new set design and two nuns/dancers (Bachanelle of nuns, act 3, risen from graves).  It seems incredible; however, the source of this information is usually reliable.  Weinlich has joined the ensemble.

2)
Advertisement: New York Herald, 02 April 1867, 1.
3)
Advertisement: New-Yorker Staats-Zeitung und Herold, 02 April 1867.
4)
Review: New-Yorker Staats-Zeitung und Herold, 07 April 1867, 4.

The event was very well attended. Rotter sang her “Gnaden Aria” with tenderness and the subtlest nuancing. Noteworthy were also the performances of Weinlich and Himmer, who played the strenuous as well as ungrateful role of “Robert” very effectively. The chorus and orchestra were also satisfactory. The stage scenery was excellent. Due to the audience’s positive response, the opera will be repeated soon.

5)
Review: Dwight's Journal of Music, 13 April 1867, 15.

Brief mention:  “Robert has been given too, ‘in splendid style,’ with Mlle. Selig as Alice. Mme. Rotter as Isabella, and Himmer as Robert.”