The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-12-17
italian Opera.


The Opera is still dragging its slow length along
The Hrst night OF " l Lombardr' was almost fasco
the others little better. We find in Review of the
present month article upon Mr. Fry and the Italian
Opera which is written with much correctness Of
judgme MT moderation and good TASTE that cannot
withstand the desire to reproduce it to readers
1t may not be known that the Review now the pro-
perty, and under the management, of the celebrated
Chevalier WkoG. He has been giving in his columns
some "reminiscences of Prince Louis Napoleon, which,
batting little verbosty and tsdiousnsss are rather
interesting, particularly at the present moment when
that parsonage is very prominent candidate for the
French Presidency. 1t is also probable that this brief
eview of Mr. Fry and the Opera comes from the same
pen. Whether this surmse is correct not we can.
not help approving of the tore temper and judg ment
embodied in its paragraphs 1t gives sound ad-
vice to Mr.. Fry bat whether that gentleman will
adopt it, seems rather problematical. Here tis;-
THEArRIcAL-The Italian Opera threw open its doors
on the first day of November under the direction OF
MIR. Fry whose advent had been trumpeted in the
papers to degree that feared would be inimca to
his We sincerely wish MIR. Fry in his
managemen both for the benefit of his pocket and
enjoyment; but he lacks theatrical perience,
and moreover is pestered with friends ready to ap
prove his least considered acts that without the advan
Iage of some advice he stands
running lee shore with all bis sails set We shall
undertake this task for him. from the motives already
assigned We shall plainly suggest the papabe errors
he has committed, and predict with fun confidence the
certain result which awaits him. uness be changes his
tactics. We trust he will take our counsel in good
part for cordially desire his triumph over doubts,
difficulties and dangers.
The monster folly Mr.. Fry has committed is the
amou Mt of expense into which he hss unnecessarily
launched His orchestra and chorus are needlessly
numerous and would be just as attractive If reduced
half He makes his ipiudicous expenditure plea
Tor still greater fault that OF doubling nearly the
binary number of tstons, under the name Of
three nights found sufficient for operate perfor
mances, and it is really ridiculous to expect that in
New York, where musical taste Is less disemin stea
where the population and wealth much smaller
SCALE that five or six represe nations could BIZ pro-
ductve Besides the personnel Of MIR Frys troupe Is
not large enough to persist in i'll advised attempt
without fatguipg his artistes till they finally hors
du combat There but class Of Opera frequenters
in New York, aud they are present ON subscription
nights The effort to force in a transie public by
entertainment superior to that got up for his regular
patrons Is only to bis best customers and to pre-
management in filing his house three times week,
be should pay his expenses and realize good profit II
his expenditures within that limit prepare for in
solvency. Mr. Fry knew how to employ his
dvantageouely, he might by an occasional extra
night, and concert at the Tabernacle, enrich his
chequer without prejudice to his srtstes his
public.
weaker than last. We must really applaud the self
confidence Of Mr.. Fry who begins an Italian Opera
in New York without contraifo, or baritone
to say nothing Of other serious deficiencies He must
consider poor New Workers. very ignorant good
natured to suffer such liberties with tempers and
pockets We are willing to make some allowance for
Mr. Fry's reported endeavsrs to supply these garng
yacsncies but Why did he chidshy quarrel with Med
substitute? He may, for all We know, have been usti
fed in his conduct towards Mad Pco; but what right
private grievances? With Pco might have counted
on "Se miramide" as certain, and Mr. Fry would have
Melted enough out Of this opera to have
restored the iuckess his puissa MT favor We
astonshed to detect symptoms ON the part Of Mr.
Fry to play the petty tyrsnt with his female artistes
which, in American, is to say the least very rare.
1t is always foolish undertaking in any body in this
community; for to honor be it said woman, right
wrong, native ign, is in want OF de-
fender against and persecution tits thing in
MIR. Fry to maintain order in his theatrical domain, to
require the punctual fument of contracts and it is
quite another thing his employment Of underhand
means as has been asserted on authorty,to crafty
his dislike for particular ortistes In the case Of Mad
TruH, the attempt of her assaants-we cannot believe
MIR. Fry amongst them failed sgpsly. Her worth
and popularity carried her through triumphantly.
We have eaid enough on this occasion to show Mr..
Fry will not neglect duty to the public tickle
his preensons. All we fear lie, that the ndcrimina
to commit foies that will end in his ruin Our purpose
now is not to praise himhe has had say, too much
Of tbatbut with close attention to his business, and
deposition to learn what perience teaches he
become, what earnestly hope, the founder Of the
Italian Opera in New York. Its existence, so far, b
only provisional. Mr. Fry has energy, taste and am
may employ them judciously
We have lett ourselves no 'pace to speak Of the per-
formapces of the month. They have been repetition
ofthe operas of last year "La Borga" by rru Bens-
detti, and Rosi, is feast that New Workers never
these vorte and accomplished artstes conveyed the
esteem in which their high merits are held.
Mad. Laborde, a French singer OF some reputation,
has bee into the Italian company together
with her husband, M Baborde and M. Dubreuil. This
is certainly novel and rather Irish mode OF pro iucng
Italian representations in New Yor1 but we are pro.
mise substitutes of the Italian school when they can
he found Mad Laborde Is n good vocalist, and some
Of her tai singing Is very pleasing and effective
Flourshes Of the voice, however skul or marveone,
but unsatisfactory pretext for soul and senti
ment OF which Mad Laborde IL totally innocent aud
in which Mad TIufH overlows to thrilling excess.
Though prefer thousan fold Ia Ttuni, yet We ad
mre Laborde, and think her all French as her singing
L. acquisition to the Opera. We shall have an eye
on the management for the coming month, aud hope
to thing agreeable to say Of Mr. Fry in
our next number. Meanwhile, we wish him all speed.