The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-06-22

The OpERA-REHEARsAL OF THE HuouESoTs
The public must not construe the postponement OF
the opera of I" The Huguenots" into ANYTHING like
indifference on the part of the company or the
manager Enormous skill is necessary to perfect
so grand and serious work as this chef dGupre of
Meyerbeer II is in four acts and is complicated in
its lyrical as well as dramatic effects Five or six
rehearsss have been necessary to satisfy the vocal
lists themselves, and one more will be given to-day,
at eleven o'clock, TO perfect all the preliminary ar
rangements
There was rehearsal yesterday, at midday,
while the fashionable world, unconscious of the
pains taken TO please it, was painting for breath of
fresh air. 1t was an interesting sceae The many
artists of the establishment were all present. like
boys and girls at school, forming array of musi
cal talent and genius such as has never before been
known in the metropolis. While Stefianon soto
coce, was rehearsing her music, Salvi and Pader,
the latter the Jealous and inmable manager, were
promenading, locked in each others entwinng
arms, holding delightful discourse only interrupted
here and there, at some divine musical passage
which arrested their attention and commanded
their admiration. The classic elegance of Bosio's
face was lighted up with smiles now and then,
while Stefianoni's lustrous and beaming eyes be-
spoke a soul kinded with the fire of song. Marini
also gave an mpressiveness TO the scene by his
majestic bearing, though his pleasure was con-
santly excited by the music. The rehearsal was
only given lightly by the vocalists, as is their GUS
tom; yet, in the final duo Savi, inspired by the
music, poured forth his whole soul, and was warmly
applauded for the magnificent effort.
Gould the public have seen this rehearsal, they
would have been surprised and enchanted. 1t was
unique-yet full of interest. All were dressed with
elegant simplicity, all were, as il seemed, members
OF one happy family, and, though familiar, were
decorous. There was none of tina. rude and vulgar
mrth which characterizes society in the fashiona-
bic season, at Newport and Saratoga, and we think
that few such rehearsals, given at our summer
watering places, would have wholesome effect
upon the manners of those who outrage decency
and civility in those places If the principal vocal
lists, fatigued with their labors applied their lips to
the "oaten straw" as Virgil calls it, stuck into
sherry-cobbler, there were shouts, staring, or
whispering and buzzing, at the little event. Ii the
gentlemen smoked segars, there was no cutlery,
though the clouds rolled in every direction. Clou-
dy Olympus is classical, musical, and sacred to
Apollo.
Many persons enjoy the opera in all its finish and
perfection; but great rehearsal, such as that of
yesterday, where the prophecies and elegances of
the little musical society displayed with all the
frankness of unrestrained freedom, is in itself lit
tie history, and entertaining one. One can readi-
ly believe that music has a refining influence, when
the professors of the art are found stamped with
superiority of manners, and kind regard for each
other, which might be initiated with advantage on
the stage Of life. We could not but admire the
generous applause with which the artists encourage
ed each other in their efforts 10 nterpre the musc
Such berality is unknown to the acted drama in |
England or in this country. In the orchestra the /
same feeling operates upon all the members Their
custom is TO encourage, not to dshear!en. Bottle
SIM and Ardi preside msgniicently over this de-
partment.
AS we have said, the last rehearsal, though we
scarcely think one necessary, is TO take place to-
day; and, on Monday, Meyerbeer's great opera, on
a delicate theme, in which Protestants and Catho-
lies are made TO blend in the harmony of the mus-
cal score, will be brought forward in style tina,
will command the utmost enthusiasm of the me-
lropolis