The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-06-14
EDITORS CORRESPONDENCE
From our regular correspondent
PmLApELPnIA, June 10, 1874.


rehearsal is additional approach to that perfection
which continued practice must naturally develop
hrst night, and new opera, with a troupe oi
nearly two hundred persons, is fearful adventure
II that ordeal be once passed with success, fair
hope may be INDUCED that each additional occasion
will add more splendor of effect and depth of har-
mony, TO the performers and their performances.
The difficulties of every kind, incident TO an under
taking novel III this country have been entirely
surmounted in the new opera. Like stupendous
ship of the line, after the foam of its first plunge
has subsidized, the opera careers calmly upon Its
destined element, the deep ocean of harmony bear
ing within its bosom to the classic shores from
whence the MUSES. came, tribute Of genius TO con-
secrate anew their sacred groves. The plot Of
"Leonora" alone, is not original. The Lady OF
Lyons afforded the story. Although of little i'm
portance, / could wish that even that had been the
offspring of our soil; but the music-that great
contributor to the pleasures and refnements of man.
kinds purely and truly original. Ii cannot be
denied that we sometimes meet with music COM
posed with pretty taste, though not strictly agreea
| BILE TO principles, which exposes the author as
having been directed by that which be acquired
from the works of others; and some compose from
a knowledge of principles without any taste, either
natural or acquired. Now, ifthose who understand
the practical part of music, can compose by having
taste only, and no Judgment, and they that have
! judgment are capable Of it without taste, how
much greater in effect must be that author who
has both combined Mr. Frey has shown
himself, in this respect, perfect master. He
has commenced a school, which, whilst
it possesses all that in the Italian elegantly modu
lates single part, like the choruses of Handel,
presenting perfect fullness and variety, amid which
there seems to be no part but what is conspicuous,
and no note that could be spared-thus blending, in
short by the combination of instruments and voices,
sublimlty of effect that seems less the labor of stu
dy than the impulse of inspiration. He has admra-
bly, avoided overwhelming the voice with rafting
symphonies, as to eclipse it, and render it nsig-
nifcant--a thing too frequently done by most COM
posers, from fondness TO show their ability in an
instrumental way. In word, ''Leonora" will
maintain position with the first operas Of the day;
and although have dwelt, perhaps, at too great
length in descanting upon it, yet it would be unpar-
donable not to identity the Seguns in great de-
gree with its brilliant success MIR. Frey adapted
the music expressly TO the voice of the prima DONNA
Mrs. Segun, whose inimitabe soprano, and great
melody of tone-notwithsanding her voice, that
never strong, but which she cultivaes and hus-
bands with great skill and efiect--present deect-
able torrent that could be excelled by Mara in
her palmiest day.
A number of our most wealthy and eminent cit
liens held meeting last evening at Jones's hotel
for the purpose of presenting to Mr.. III, Frey, the
composer of Leonora, the wel-known opera, some
testimonial "of their sense of his genius and science
in the production of work replete with every merit
Of the modern lyrical drama" A complimentary
benefit was resolved uponto take place next Thurs
day evening. The price to the whole house will be
SO ticket. This will be rendering to MIR. Frey the
justice he deserves, and has earned SO WELL His
opera is really an honor to his country, and con-
tinues to be followed by crowds of the beauty and
fashion of the city. Last night, at Mrs. Seguin's
benefit a most numerous company attended. The
performance passed off with great ecldi, and was
rapturously encored. Mrs Seguin--the fair and
trnly gifted observation-disclosures literally covered with
flowers and wreaths from the boxes on her appear
ance, and was called out after the curtain fell. The
genius Of Mr.. Frey has indeed achieved proud tri-
umph, and made him famous. This is the opinion
of some of the oldest and best judges in the city.
1t is expected that quite struggle will take place
for the esseeship of the Chestnut street, after the
expiration of the time of the present monthly rem
tees, Messrs. Pratt & Wemyss, which is now close
at hand. The secret Of this rivalry is the confident
Unexpected visit to this country of the celebrated
Iaglioni, the great queen Of the dance. If she
should come, she would, Of course, appear the
Chestnut street boards and of course would be at
tended by crowds.
II is impossible to describe the regret everywhere
expressed at the loss by the burning of the Acade.
my of Fine Arts, and the Indignation prevailing
against the fend who set fire to it on Wednesday
evening last The loss is immense. Some of the
papers estimate it at S50,000 but as the pictures
and satuary contained in this collection had been
gathered after labor of years. many of them being
very ancient themselves, of course the loss is irrep
arabic, and therefore not to be estimated. The pic
ture gallery did not suffer much as the antique
statue gallery. Most of the valuable paintings were
preserved; and although many of them much in
iured by water, smoke, and being torn from their
frames, yet it is hoped and believed they be re-
paired.
In the statue gallery this is of course impossible.
There the work of the destroyer has been sadly and
fearfully done. Nearly all was lost. Almost the
only thing remaining uninjured is Lough's magni6-
group the centre Of the rotunda of the bat
lie IF he 70 I he haa,,
tlful castles and statuary have all been destroyed.
Among these are Canova s Graces a splendid group,
the bust of Napoli, Lough's colossal Milo, LAGOON
and his sons, Venus de Medicis, Apollo Belvidere,
the Dying Gladiator, besides many others. Just
before the fire occurred, which destroyed all these
splendid works of art, the members of the academy
held meeting for the purpose of opening the stat
ue gallery as school Of art for students This no
BILE plan has of course, been frustrated by the vii
anous ncendiary, who, like the youth who fred the
Ephesian dome, is thus made immortality infamous.
The stockholders of the academy are to meet this
evening at 10 o'clock, at the Artists Fund Hall,
10 adopt such measures as will best protect the
property saved, and also restore the building
The Philadelphia Museum, now contained in the
noble edifce near the corner of Ninth and Chestnut
streets, including curostes, fixtures, and the entire
collection is about to be sold for debt of Al OOO
owing to the assgnees of the late Bank of the Uni
ted States, and incurred in the erection Of the build
ing they now occupy, but which is theirs no longer
1t cost the Philadelphia Museum company Sl29,-
900; and was sold in lS42 for $4,000, and
the membranes, to the Philosophical Society.
The sheriff sold it again, in May, lS43, for ground
rent, with the National Theatre II brought but
S230O0-the theatre selling for 200! The Phil
adelphia Museum company have been very unfortu-
nate; and it seems to be hard that after having lost
everything else for the erection of the present sruc
ture in Ninth street. their splendid collection should
also be sacrificed.
Considerable excitement has been produced here
by the course of the coroner, who refuses, under
the construction of late law of our Legislature to
bury the bodies of persons who have not died vio-
lent death, because the county will not compensate
him for the expenses Of the burial Two cases have
recently occurred that have subjected the law I'M
der which the coroner acts to considerable censure
The law provides shat it shall not be the duty of
any coroner of the county of Philadelphia to hold
an inquest on the body Of any deceased person. UNI
less the said deceased person shnl have died of xn