Reviews — The New York Times

From the New York Times - December 19, 1895

DOUBLE BILL AT THE OPERA
First Performance of “Pagliacci”
This Season - “Navarraise” Again.

     The first performance of “Pagliacci” for the season is a not less noteworthy and to many hearers is a more welcome event than the second performance of “La Navarraise.” The double attraction drew a fair house. Leoncavallo’s tragi-comedy needs to be only tolerably performed in order to be pleasant and the performance last night was rather more than tolerable. The orchestra, upon which so much depends, was in excellent form, and Signor Seppilli conducted with spirit and with the understanding also. Mlle. Lola Beeth acted Nedda with vivacity, dressed it very prettily with a becoming change for the second act, and would have sung it acceptably but for her incessant tremolo. It is a pity that Signor Russitano’s means are not equal to his intelligence, but his Canio, although lacking in physical force, is an interesting personation. The vocal honors of the performance, however, fell to Signor Ancona, whose singing throughout was enjoyable.
     The cast of “La Navarraise” was the same as that of the last performance, and even if it had not been, the impression of Massenet’s work is superior to any variations of interpretation.

Last updated December 30, 2006