The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-12-01


The OPERA EXCITEMENT AND FASHIONABLE
Lus.-The excitement which has been created in
the fashionable society of New York, by the
opening Of the Astor Place Opera House, is not
confined to this city, or to any exclusive
class of society. The opening seems to be look
ed on as great event all over the country, and
the talk, and conversation, and excitement which
1t has produced, seem to pervade far beyond the
limits of New York In fact, the attempt to estab-
lish regular and permanent Italian opera in
this city, and not merely to be satisfied with
few wandering stars or consultations, is looked
on as an advancement and progress of refinement
IN civilization, among the higher classes at least
If not of wit and sarcasm among the lower ones
AS a curious specimen of the sensation which
the opening of the new opera has produced, we
have given, in another part of this journal, Sc
lection from nearly dozen newspapers, conduct.
ed by the fret writers, both in poetry and prose,
OF the country, expressing their opinions with
great freedom, and some Of them, with much
grace and equal wit and sarcasm, on this new
development of fashionable society and refined
taste In New York. The names of these distln-
guished gentlemen, and literary men, who are
the editors OF the newspapers in question, will at
once arrest attention to the notices they give
We may enumerate among them, VIM. c. Bry-
ant, Nathaniel p. Willis, Geo. p. Morris, Nor
decai M. Noah, Henry c. Watson, p. Burkhardt,
Shadreck West, Robert Bums-the latter, for
any thing we know to the contrary, q lineal de-
scendant of the immortal bard of Scotland-be-'
sides others, who, as the auctioneers down town
say, are too tedious to mention.
We only give brief and choice extracts from
,o,sp, nj. L.. H. IL
literary men; but they mark the extreme interest
which has been felt for the new attempt to estab.
lish the opera here. In fact, it has created SEN
sation-the greatest excitement of the present
day, and has employed as many pens and produ-
ced as much controversy, not only among the
fashionable and literary circles, but in every rank
of society, down to the very newsboys and prin-
ters' devils, any topic this side of the pre-
sidential question, or even the war with Mexico.
As yet, this great experiment to create fash
ionable coteris of society in New York, is in its
beginning-just buddng-only in its commence
ment The rules adopted by the managers, the
beauty ofthe performers, meaning the females, of
course, and of the prima donna, and the talent of
every other branch OF the company, including the
amiable Rapett and the orchestra, are not more
discussed than the subscribers themselves
the way in which they dress, the appearance
of the house, and the politeness displayed in the
corridors, saloons, and retiring chambers.
The whole presents one of the most curious
social effervescences that has ever taken place
in this country; and what the issue may be,
seems as much a matter of mystery as what we
are to do with Mexico, or who is to be the next
President. We have now had this beautiful
IoJ IS
and half. The house, with one or two excep-
tions has not been well filled. One opera has been
given, and another is to be tried tonight; but
the merits of the company are not determined
on yet, nor is it decided even whether the oripi-
nal exclusion of the free.list is to be rescinded
or not
Thus far, the audience and the dresses of the
ladies attending the theatre, have been the most
interesting and conspicuous part of the move.
ment. AS awhole, the company is respectable,
but no more but as place for we'll dressed and
genteel people to congregate on cold evening,
the opera house seems to possess great advan.
tages, and ought to be managed with a good dea,
| of skill. A new operaIwill be given this ,eve-
ming. According,to the talk of the day, the brill
liant array of ladies who usually frequent the
opera, will grace the occasion with some of their
brightest jewelry, their richest laces and freshest
costumes, just arrived from Paris by the last
steamer. Certainly the array of beauty displayed
there can compare with that which we have seen
in London, Paris, Naples, Milan, Vienna, Venice
or Berlin. The costumes of the ladies' may
| not possess the same exquisite grace and finish
| that YOU will find in the Sale Ventadour; but
still they will contrast favorably with those dis
played in the Queens Opera House, in London,
although not SO rich or vulgar, nor SO full oil
jewelry, lace and bad taste. As yet the result OF
this curious experiment in establishing perma-
nently Italian opera and fashionable class OF
society, seems to be as uncertain as the settle.
ment of the Mexican question, or the next Presi.
dency The famous secret committee have put
forth several rules one day, and violated them
with 'impunity the next. That to exclude the
press and the dead heads, is one instance of va.
cillation. They are now going to violate and
desecrate the rights of the subscribers, by open.
ing the theatre on the off nights for the pagans
at large, and giving the cast-off operas to the vul
gar, and the seats of those who have paid for
them. What is to be the end of all this The
Stilwell act and nothing else.
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City Intelligence.
The WEATHER We have seldom, at 80 early date
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