The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-10-02
What About the New Opera House zap Town
-Alboni and Sontag Combined.


Dear sir-Psymit me, Sir. to inquire through you,
how far the erection Of the new Italian Opera House
progressing up town to be regretted our not hav
ing one just now, when such an array Of talent 10
amongstus, and which could, no doubt be induced to
appearin grand opera il opportunity aud beftlng no.
cOmmodation were ready. As it is. We are compelled
TO sit through dreary concert, made agreeable and
tempting only by few scattered gems from such
charming Grtistts as Sontag and Alboni. II is sad
mistake, this concert giving, such an extensive
scale; and when we rehec. upon it, it is hardly the
fair thing, when we know that in London, Paris,
Berlin, Vienna, Naples, &C., have all their grand
opera and ballet for comparative 1.-THE to what we
pay for the qualification of hearing single GYtisie
hom the vast ranks Of those places.
In London or Paris we find such an opera as ssThe
Prophetic" produced with cast combining Aboni,
or Viardot, Garcia, Castelar,, Mario Formes or La
blaehe, Bassini, and some half dozen others Of
importance-add TO which, grard ballet, with
Carlotti Gris, Lamareaux, Rosat. Mons Durand,
and some thirty or forty-a chorus OF at least
eighty, with not Ness than two hundred auxilarios-
an orchestra consisting of at least hundred, all
principal, and conductor such as Balfe Costa, or
Eckart--and all this for the average sum ro are
talent, and that, too, repeatedly, in sim ole CON-
cert. Concerts very well, now and then, when q
great combination eau be Effected and theH oniy
Why DOT give us either great combination ia con-
cert, or ise the fun opera and ballet On tho grand
scale, rs 10 Europe! That we eau, will ana DO pay
reasonable, and most cases. very high prices i
manifest and there is country where true talent
meets so much reward.
| read in several papers recently, in coresnon-
dence recently from Europe, Lcndon) and In Won
hat
scheme was sfoot for the italian opera and
ballet being SO arranged as 20 perform por-
tion OF the year IN London, New York
Boston, ana philadelDhia under the same director
ship-ihe same company chorus, orchestra, and
all; and that the opera houses in the four cities
named we're to be go arranged that the operas could
be got mp on the same magnificent ale es in Lon
don, aud the prices were to be from fifty cents to
two dollars. am sorry this is not more talked Of
as there is no doubt but that, if such thing was
satisfactorily shown and guaranteed, large subsorp-
tons could be effected.
The taste for music in our ger cities has during
the last few years, very materially increased, and j.
large proportion Of the present supporters and fee
quenters Of the OPERA have visited and are continu-
ally visiting Europe. and consequently hearing
opera IL all its most perfect spendor; and it goes
much against the taste and satisfaction, on theif
return, to find in their great and approaching
country. that they are so lar behind-unable 10
have q grand opera, especially when they can sup
port one; and what renders it still more gazing,
that very moiety OF what they heard 10 q grand
combination to perfection. they are forced 20 vay
oftentimas more TO listen to in brief selections ine
iectively rendered for want ofproper auxiliaries.
You will confer a lasting favor on the public ee-
nerally if you will agitate this matter, as it ie
high time our musical entertainments should equal
il not exceed, all others. AS it is we find vast en-
penses gone into, and most strenuous eiforts made
to crowd room, either with free or paid tickets
and continual struggle TO meet the bare expenses
to the utter dstaste and psrplexity of the principals
connected: and contrary 10 their high position,
which IN Europe commands its full price, without
risk trouble And all this is because tho music
loving people desi,e TO have quantity as we'll as
quality Why should they, on the other side of tie
water, hove such animation quoted, above FOR
the same price as we pay tor ore or two cut Of
forty or fifty great drtistes-or rather, why should
We pay for il az that rate?
IL is inconsistent to argue in favor of such meagre
concerts. Money cannot be made BY them 10 the
extent that the CREST and superior success OF sucb
Grtis'es es Alboni and Sontag merit. They can, in
Europe, get their $500, 800. $500 per night SCI
cured to them in their proper sphere Of OPERA and
often in grand concert whereas, from the feeling at
present, such profits cannot be realized. and must
was far different thing. She, from her peculiar
excellences and magicalis sysa we fr, va
was of the first cla.s-to wit: Sa'SfA
n~is;ii', 0..e = Burke. loader. Kyle
and scido, flutes. very superior orchestra, son-
Liud. And then followed the eagerness 10 hear
music in still greater perfection affirming the deter
mination to have still greater combinations, and
grand opera and ballet.
Almost the same expense that attends the intro
duction of single artistic of importance, such s.
Sontag, would suffice for Alboni aud Sonsag toge.
Their there would be full demand for tickets at ore
and two dollars, and being mostly paid for, would
yield, upon division, far profit and increase Of
patronage; and this could be done whilst the new
Opera House was going up, and then sill greater
could be gwen with them In opera.
1t would net interfere with their relative posi-
tiops and powers, inasmuca as both stand at the
head of their respective roles. Alboni is undoubted
ly the greatest living eontrato, and Sontag the
prima soprano Of the day. What treat it would
be to hear them in duet, with an equally cele-
brated tenor or basso. in tro-why, the rush would
douby compensate them, both by dollars and salts
faction
trust you will take this matter in hand ard
hurry up the lovers Of opera and music. The mil
hon are the supporters-giye them their moneys
worth, and they will crowd in the money.
Do not let it be thought that / am depreciating
the merits Of those great ARTISTS for il is not
There does not exist more enthusiastic admirer of
both those singers than myself, and thu, write for
their benefit, which, il carefully perused, will
doubtless prove to them the justice Of my remarks.
We lost much in not seeing Jenny Lind in OPERA and
we trust. shall not be deprived seeing Aboni and
them, in Italian Opera am yours, very obedieuty,
September 20, 1882. G, G.
The New Musical Hail In Boston--rre mont
Temple.
Boston, Sept, %, 1852
Nh. BENNETT TIL, great interes. which the
community has in the proper construction of rooms
aud buildings, designed for public purposes-dei.