The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-01-30

IA of "Romeo and Juliet" or TCapulefi. Mon
tscchi; noting briefly that it was a comparative
failure, In regard to the principal characters, al
though, In some minor points, il might have been
well put on the stage.
Ii seems there is every appearance of a very
great difference of opinion the subject;
some OF the critics pronouncing Madame Patti Il
great actress, and great singer, and as having
made prodgious hit, and accomplishing the
most wonderful success; whilst others speak he
sitatingly and doubtfuly. In fact, there is every
appearance OF there being as great difference of
opinion on the success Of the new opera, as
there is about what really is the condition of
our relations with Mexico-whether the war has
terminated-who will be the next President
what offence General Scott has committed, or
whether there is any treaty with Mexico or not.
Politics and the Opera seem to be equally
doubtful commodity 10 the market, at present.
The new opera is good one, though not
great one. 1t possesses some very fine passages;
but il has not been put on the sta 9 by the macs
tro in the highest degree of it's development.
The scenery, princiI ally the moonlight scene, is
most splendid; and, indeed, we may speak of the
scene painter of the Astor Place Opera as an ar
fist of the highest rank in that department of the
fine arts. The choruses and the orchestra APP
pear to be well got up; but when we have said
this much of the new opera, we have said near
ly all that can be said, with safe conscience,
either to art, to our own position towards the
public, or to the company, the managers in
cuded
Madame Patti, of whom so much has been said,
was received with much good feeling. Her ap.
pearance is very good, and favorable to first i'm
pressons. She dresses well, walks the stage
WELL looks well, is graceful, classic, and elegant,
IN all her movements but with all these advan-
ages her voice is passeit is insufficient for the
task she has undertaken. The first time we ever
saw Romeo and Juliet" performed, was when
Romeo was taken by the late Madame Malibran.
She, indeed, was wonder of woman, whom
none have, since her time, equaled or surpassed
Yet Madame Malibran, in the character of Romeo,
did not make better impression on her audience,
on her first coming on the stage than did Madame
Patti. But when we have said this, we have
said everything. Madame PATHS voice is
most beautiful and classic ruin, and
nothing elsa most elegant and accom-
plished wreck. She wants the power, from
some cause or other, to sing the music set down
for her, although she fights and walks with grace
and beauty. Of arilli we may say just the con-
trary. She has little too much voice. She lets
itout too boisterously and too forcibly. Shelooks
very graceful, and pretty, and elegant, and seems
to move with freedom on the stage. She some
times sings with some good taste; but she fire.
quently sings falsely, and often with more force
than taste-in fact she screams by fits and starts
OF the other vocalists little need be said. They
are very ordinary and common place.
The opera itself, as regards the music, is not
well put on the stage. There is great deal Of
unmeaning recitative retained, which might east
ly be omitted.
We must, therefore, pronounce the new opera
comparative failure, after admitting that, In
some portions, and in some passages, something
like responsibility has been attained. But we
shall give it another trial, another hearing, and
see what another attempt, and good advice, may
effect on the vocalists.
The house on the occasion was most splendidly
attended, by all the fashionable and elite in the
city. Indeed, the Astor Place Opera is now
attended very weA. every night-good opera or
bad. Between the acts there is probably as much
electioneering, stock.jebbing, and gossipping
done, as there is in any place in Wall street. Mr..
Walkers lean has been taken and refused
several times, in the Hobbies of the Opera. Gen.
Scotts affairs have been discussed at full length;
fancy stocks have risen, sometimes, two-and-a-
half per cent, and fallen as much; and all this
has been transacted between the first, second,
and third acts Of the opera. In fact, the lobbies
of the Opera House now a lounge for finish
ing up all business, politics, finance, gossip, and
humbug of the day. 1t is the Bourse of high
life.
PEACE WITH MKxIco-What an absurd fuss is
made about "peace" with Mexico We are a.
peace with Mexico there is peace now in that
country, to the JOY and gladness of the people