The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-02-02

The Two OPERAs-THE COMMENCEMENT OF
THE REAL CoNTRsT.-The old Opera audience,
by which Maretzek was "cribbed, cabned, con-
fned,' having been cast out, the two Italian
troupes now commence the contest in earnest, and
upon equal terms. This evening, at Astor Place,
will be performed Donizesti's splendid tragedy of
Maria Di Rohan," considered by many as the
best and NEST charming Of all the operas of that
beautiful composer while at Niblo's tho equally
splen lid opera Of Don Giovanni" the best of the
operate works Of the great Mozart, will be re pre-.
sented by strong force. Signora Bosio appears
as Zerlina, Sguora De Vries as Donna Anna, and
Signora V. Whiting as Evira while, for the male
parts we are to have Badali as Don Giovanni
LoTini as Don Octavio, and Sanqpirico as Lepo
relic This is undoubtedly powerful cast. Thon
We have, 1T the Astor Place, Stefanoue as Maria,
Salyi as Ricardo, Beneven.ano as Enrico, and
Pico ss Armando dc Gcndi. This is also q strong
corps, and Sssdsnone il g host in herself. With
two such operas and two such companies, the most
brilliant performances may be uticipated, and the
contest Will be spirited, exciting, and determined.
1t 10 now contest, not between managers, bat
between troupeS. Ssefanone has as great an ia.
terest in the fual issue os Bosio or De Vries and
Salyi takes as deep an interest, oven up 10 the
whole amount os his salary to the 6rss OF March,
Bettini Bsdieli, or any other Of the artists in
the rival shop. The two sropgeg ere, therefore
thrown upon their resources and their own
talents, before the whole people Of This city, and
beyond the embarrassing influence Of worthless
aristocracy, who for the last three or four years
have thrown impsdiments in the way Of tho cue.
cess Of the Opera, aud prolonged its lingering exis
tence by their faint and miserable support We
verify believe that this contest will do moro for the
permanent establishment Of the Opsfa, than any
other event that has ever happened in this city.
The large and wealthy middle classes, With their
families, will henceforsh attend those musical
feasts, and th ere viii be enough Of patronage Ia
fill both houses every night. The contest bctwcon
the aTtsts--aiways good na.ared oue--a contest
between prima donnass tensrs, contraltss .ary.
tones, and passos--wll be Of such q warm chara..
ter that Il viii partake someghat of the excitement
Of g race. and probably large amount Of money
viii change hands in be!supon the game an / bottom
Of the competitors The first troupe that breaks up
will be regarded az beaten. We have Jus. learned
that farodi has Withdrawn from the field, and como
off She knows not what she loses by this ba ckin
out-tho excitement, tho rivalry and the spirit tha
will be drawn out and attract the eyes Of the whole
world to the centost-one Of the greatest since the
Olympic James, in the times Of ancient Greece
when the poets and dranatsts read their produc-
tons before the assembled nations for the immor.
tal crow Il glory. Whatever may be the result as
between the Two norpes, there con DO no doubs that
TIN trial e skill and strength will DO the means of
coailwipe musical taste in this city, which will
SHOW Itself .efore long in the shape Of subscfp ions
u a large opera house, perhaps two iontaiAing,
every night, 5000 persons each.