The New York herald., 1845-07-03


Fsrycm OrzaA-1hs frst performance Of the
far-famed Robert-leDiable, is an important event in
the musical annals Of New York. The public At
ashas had an opportunity Of convincing themselves,
that the immense repstation Of Msyerbeer is fully
deserved, for since Mozart's Don Juan and Weber's
Freyschutz, there has not been written opera,
that has produced similar sensation throughout
the world-that has so astonished the musician and
delighted the public. Till Robert, Meyerbeer's
genius was not entirely deveoped there were signs
visible of his being destined to revolutionize ope
ratio music; but amidst many points of great origi-
nality, there were not unfrequent attempts at
generally successful imitation. Meyerbeer was
with Weber pupil OF Able vogler, and his first
works. as for instance, Margarethe d'Anjou, were
written in that school that found such powerful
representative in the author Of Der Freyschutz.
They procured some reputation to the composer,
but they failed to electrify the world, which was
keenly felt by the youthful Meyerbeer whose ruling
passion was ambition He went to Italy, where at
that time Rossini reigned paramount. The fruit OF
this journey was IL cociato in Egytto, in which he
out-Rossinied Rossn HIMSELF and which opera at
once stamped him great man. Here we find the
germ OF many an idea, which is to be found :" ripe
and real" in his later works, for instance in the
double march, with kind of echo, which likewise
makes the "dh h0nncfe honue" so very interesting
But the climax of his fame he Obtained in Robert,
and the Huguenots, where he united the elements
OF two different schools into whole, firm and indi-
visible; and became the founder Of the romantic
school IN music, as Victor Hugo in his dramas and
above all In his " Notre Dame de Pa,rs.''
The plot OF this piece Is very curious it is founded
on very old and extraordinary manuscript in the
Kings library at Paris, entitled Chrmique of Ro-
bert Duke Of Normandy" Bertram, King Of He'll
Doavry) has received permission to appear ON
earth, and during his scjourn has been loved by
son., Robert lie .Diable, Duke Of Normandy CAR
naud). Robert is a worthy son Of such sire, and
for his misdecds has been exiled from the country,
and arrives IN Sicily, where the scene islaid When
the curtain rises, Robert is in Palermo in love with
Isabella, the Princess OF Sicily (Casini), whose
hand he contests with numerous rivals. Bertram,
whom he is not aware is his father, keeps near him,
and his ann is 70 render him guilty enough to be
condemned to the internal regions with him. Ro-
berts foster sister, Alice, and her betrothed arrive
from Normandy in Sicily, and Alice brings Robert
his mothers will, she having died cursing her infer
nal seducer. During the whole course Of the play,
the bad angel. Berram, and the good angel, Alice,
contend tor Roberts soul. Bertram conducts him
amongst the magic closter of the Rosalio, where
there Is an enchanted branch of cypress by which
Robert obtain all his wishes Aided by that tails
man, he gets without trouble near the Princess Isa-
bella, but at last he bends to his good propenses,
breaks the magic branch in pieces, and the charm
thus destroyed, ne s surrounded by all his rivals,
who swear to destroy him. Pursued, and without
an asylum, he enters under the porco of the Cathe
dral, where Bertram follows him, and confesses to
Robert that he is his father, and wishes him to sign
contract by which he would be secure Of enjoying
his company forever as, devil he is he loves his
son devotedly Alice at this moment arrives, and
reads to Robert his mothers will, and the unfortu-
nate Duke, torn by contending affections, is uncer-
tain which to obey The midnight hour strikes; it
is the utmost limit for Bertram, who is then swal
lowed up by the opening OF the internal regions
Alice Is left victorious, and conducts Robert to the
Princess Isabella, who IS awaiting him at the altar.
Thus the good angel triumphs.
Although nothing better than ghost story, which
appears to be expressly written for the lovers of the
incredible, yet II contains many highly dramatical
situations, which afford the composer full scope
for the display OF till now unknown musical effects;
and IN fact greatpar Of the music owes its beauty
TO the Introduction of the supernatural rather the
Internal, which Meyerbeer rendered divine. The
attempt to specify IS perfectly useless, for there is not
one bar that would not contain striking orgnall-
ty, sometimes verging the eccentric and the BIZ
zare, and sometimes descending to the most SIM
pie simplicity. The grandeur and heavenly beauty
OF the music has universally been acknowledged, if
England, which prefers Balfe and Sir Henry Bishop
TO Meyerbeer, and strange to say has not yet ex-
hausted It's budget of abuse and hard names applied
In no slight measure TO the author OF the Huguenots
With regard TO the execution OF Robert, by the
French company. we must above all admit, that
the extreme complication of the music, and great
length OF the OPERA which il is impossible to abridge
without serious injury to the work, render it task
OF great difficulty to the singers, chorus and orches
ira, and It is therefore douby praseworthy that they
acquitted themselves in such respectable manner
The first and second acts could have been given with
little more energy but the last three acts went off
with much spirit. Arnand, who failed to impart to
the Sicienne the character of reckless gaiety the
composer intended, made decided hit in the Les
cteUaersde ma patrie, and principally in the recta-
uves, which form the most prominent part of his
fn ho hantu Cf
talent; but Isabelle ought to be sung by an
pshed SINGER owing TO the extraordinary difficult
~ OF the r1oulades, which must be executed with
much rapdly. Her voice Is melodiOus, but little
weak, and we would advise her to pronounce more
distinctly, to give fuller passage to the notes, and
not to make many alterations in her airs, which
Meyerbeerr certainly would have done if he would
have found 1t necessary. Yet there were many good
points in her performance, and principally in the
grace" which procured her much applause.
Alice IS written Tor prima donna, and
the much more, credit is due to Madame
which she steered through the dangerous rocks OF
her part Her "Vd dit-ellc" and the orsque e quit
td's Ia Nornandie" were very efficiently given and
her Un Dieu est avec moi" was pronounced with a
highly dramatical accent Douvry sung throughout
with much inteHigente, and sometimes reached de-
gree OF excellence that was not expected. CGuriot
as Rainbow was very pleasing, and much appauded
IN his Duet with Berram
Miss Turnbul acted the Abess and showed con-
siderable mimic talent. Her dancing, too, was very
clever, but she introduces too frequently pas on the
toe. Chorus and orchestra were all that could be
desired. The house was crammed in all its parts.
CASTLE GARDEN.-The Elssler Brothers and
Mile. Desardns perform tonight, and the enter
tainments this evening generally will be Of the first
class, and will afford as excellent an evenings
amusement as can be obtained in the city. There
are great preparatonsof the celebration of to-mor-
row, and they will IN all probability surpass any
thing of the kind ever seen in the city
NIBLo's GARDEN.-To-night Mr.. Roberts appears
IN the musical comedy Of the Rencontre, which vii,
be given with very strong cast, including Miss
Taylor. Miss Mathews Messrs Chippindae, John
Seton, Nickinson and Gallagher The Arcobat ia
miy stlll attract crowded saloons. They are enthu-
slastcally received their feats are executed with
the Iaana o4ruar ri-ixax al.