The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-04-28
MR.. BENEFITS LETTERS FROM EUROPE.
PARIS March %, ls47.
Music In France.

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ssrratoirs dc Masique, and passed most triumph
anty the severe ordeal. This young gentleman
from pure love of the art, left lucrative stua-
tion under government, at Washington, and
came 10 Paris last autumn, for the sole purpose Of
studying music under tho frs. masters in this
capital. He has most splendid baritone voice,
approaching the bass, of extraordinary richness
and nexiblllty, together with remarkable
knowledge Of music, and great enthusiasm in its
pursuit. At the opening Of the Conservative last
fall, there ware over two hundred applicants,
principally French persons, with a few Italians,
Germans and Spaniards, out of whom only about
twenty were admitted.
This remarkable academy of music is support
cd by the government. 1t is musical college,
where the art Of composition and singing is
taught with as much care and industry as the
exact sciences ct the Sorbonne or the University
The committee of examination is formed of the
first composers and vocai5ts ofthe French school,
Auber Ealevy, Duprez, and such like artists, are
IN this list. The applicant is taken privately be-
fore the committee, and there sings any piece Of
music he chooses, merely to exhibit the capabili-
~ OF his voice On a subsequent day, he learns
his fate. Mr.. Drayton passed through the first
ordeal with some eciaf, having afterwards re-
ceived the compliments of Duprez His second
examination, few days ago, was even more
successful. He sung scene from Robert lie DIG
Die, andreceived the special appreciation ofAuber.
the greatest French composer now living.
heard him sing, few evenings ago, some piece,
at private parry; and must say think he pos
sesses wonderful powers of voice, great flexibil
ty and remarkable expression. He will con- |
tnue his studies at the C0nservatoire until next |
year, and then, perhaps he will make his debut
~. .HD
to his return to the United States. | think that,
with his powers OF voice, he will make a sensa-
ton one of these days. Mr.. Drayton is the only
American who was ever admitted to the Conser-
patoirs After he satisfied the Judges on the COM
nitee Of his powers of voice, he was questioned
to his country. At first he taken to be an
Englishman, from his accent and language. If |
he mad been so, it is highly probable he would |
have been rejected, for there is IL remarkable pre-
judice among the French against John Bull. On
his affirming and showing that he was an Anne
rican, and had visited England he
was admitted as one of their spscial keues
Among the other pupils of the school, great sur
prise was manifested at his being as white as a
European; for it appears that among the ntei-
gent youth of that institution, it is firm belief
that every American is black as the ace ofspades.
Mr.. Drayton has already made singular progress
In his new profession. Not only have the
members of the Conservative compimented
him, but the celebrated Labache Of the
Italian OPERA to one of whose soirees he
was invited, also said he gave the highest pro-
mise of greatness In his new profession. | do
not see why Mr.. Drayton should not succeed,
even more than Wilson, Templeton, Phillips, or
others in the United States.
Another musical American is here, Mr.. Fry Of
Philadelphia. He has brought over the compo-
stion of q new opera, but doubt whether any
OF the managers here will accept it.
Paris is unquestionably the greatest school for
music in Europe, both vocal and instrumental
It is profession, yielding immense fortunes to
those Of the first rank. All classes admire, Gull
tivate, and enjoy it. The number ofprvate and
public concerts given during the winter is enor-
NOUS Whole circles Of society, fashionable and
ordinary, make music their principal and only
amusement. Even the young artists who spring
up in Italy, Germany, or Spain, have 10 come to
Paris, TO acquire the last fnish and European
renown. There are three large theatres here de-
voted entirely to the musical drama, and music
Il occasionally introduced into the majority Of
Me others. The Academie Royals, the Opera
Comiq,ae, and the Eaiten., the three have al
ludcd to. The first is also called the Grand
opera, ana mere are p'rlorlneu inc HlGneSt cldse
of the lyrical drama, including, also, the ballet |
This is an immense establishment both In the |
personal and in the material. The orchestra is
tremendous, and the house uncommony large
and peculiarly constructed vocaists of great
powers of voice, generally break down after
few years singing in this immense house. The
Queens opera in London, and La Scala in Milan
both Of which have seen, are nearly as large,
bu, differently constructed, and therefore better
saves or husbands the singers voice.
During the winter l have frequently visited
the Academic, but was always better pleased with |
the grace and beauty of the ballet, than the |
crash of instruments, and the tremendous exer- |
ton of the voices. One Of the most interesting |
and most popular vocalists at the Grand OPERA |
10 a young lady who was born In New York |
Her name is Madanoselle Nase-she is good |
looking interesting-gr aceful--has fine voice
sings with skill and science, and acts in the |
drama with equal spirit. l believe she intends |
10 visit New York and the United States very |
soon-perhaps to make that fat and fertile land |
her permanent home. The other vocalists are |
all extremely scientific, | have no doubt; but to |
my taste, appear to bawl and scream and shout |
too much. But this is attributed, justly no |
doubt, to the peculiarly large construction Of the |
house. and the tremendous quantity of instru-
ments in the orchestra-an orchestra which
would nearly hold all the audience of the Italian
Opera house in New York within its ample di-
mansions.
An opera at,the academic is, therefore, plea
sure and pain, mixed up together in different
slices. But at the Opera Comique and at the
Italian Opera, the musical drama is seem heard
aad enjoyed in the highest state OF perfection.
The Opera Comiqus gives light, gny, and airy
pieces, OF one, two, or three acts. The house is
something larger than the Park Theatre, but the
audience is not, generally, of the first or higher
classes of society There is little dressing by