The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-10-31

CITY. Inc use Is nightly crowded, ana num-
hers OF people are glad TO obtain standing room
in the passa les. So lucky a prize has not fallen
to Max Mare'zck's lot for many q day What
share in the me iamoIphosis may be dde to our
recent structures on the subject OF Italian
Opera, whether the fish enables are ashamed
Of their neglect of their pet amusement, aud
are now resolved to be as liberal as the classes
which sustain comedy theatres we are OF
course unable to say. On the broad fact that
the two last evenings have witnessed larger
and more profitable assemblages at Nibio's
than any previous occasion the public is as
well able to speculate as ourselves
| Our opinion on the general question OF the
feasibility of naturalizing italian Opera IN this
city or this country is now too>well known TO
need repetition. Whether or no the bulk of our
readers coincide in that opinion, it cannot be
denied that hitherto the class which supports
italian Opera in Europe has been neither
sufficiently numerous nor sufficiently liberal
here to make its introduction profitable to
managers Very few indeed Of our ex-
elusive" have adopted the London and Paris
principle Of hiring seats or boxes for the
season. Their patronage has been desul-
tory and unreliable. To tell the truth most
Of our aristocracy. having risen to that rank
| ~ successful operations in boots and shoes
4 flannel shirts -four. pork or stocks they and
their Hopeful progeny have carried their mer-
\ camille instincts into their pleasures, and
/ have uniformly avoided paying one cent more
for the latter than was absolutely necessary.
/ VI l,tc ,rr,t AZ
! heart of old Smith and old JONES' the you'll
ful scions Of these ilnstrious houses insist on get
| ting the worth OF their money when they 30 to
the opera; and as to paying for seats when they
are not certain OF being able to attend the
idea is monstrous. Without censuring course
Of conduct which viii find 50 many apologists
in our first society,"" we may observe that the
chief patrons OF the opera in Europe pursue
somewhat different system Their prodgality
towards this amusement knows no bounds; and
it is to this source and the government allow
ances that the maintenance Of italian Opera in
London, Paris and Vienna, is due.
People are not wanting to assert that the SUI
perior success Of opera in Europe is due to its
superior excellence This we take leave to
doubt. In many respects such as scenic decora-
lions, choral and orchestral force, &C.. the operas
of Paris and London are unquestionably in nd
vance Of ours. They have, too now and then,
a star Of greater magnitude than we can afford.
But really, all things considered, and due al
lowance made for the obvious superiority of
taste among audiences that have been accus-
TONED 10 the finest music for centuries. we can
not see that our opera goers have any right to
complain of the fare that is set before them
Take, for instance, the present opera troupe
now performing at Niblo's. It may well bear
comparison with the average froupes of
Europe. Max Maretzek is as skilful and
iudcious leader as you could find anywhere
There is no humbug about him. He does not
deal in fantastic fourishes or approving mods
10 his singers the composer he is Interpreting
is The only object he knows when he sits in his
famous classic attitude on the conductors
chair Then.in the way ofprima donnas without
abiding TO Nde. Burtucca, who is q host in her.
self StcGanone is as fine Norma rs we can
ever expect TO sea noble actress and a voice
CT splendid power in the upper register; and
our new star Mile. Costanza ALanzini makes q
charming and graceful Lucia. The contraltois
well taken by our old favorite. Mde peo-
Viett whose rich mellow notes console Us for
the loss Of Alboni. For bass singers we have
Marni, an artist second to none with voice
that would bring down boxes. galleries and pit
in Europe. and Bencventano, richly gifted BY ma
ture, and who is rapidly improving in the man
agement of his organ. Salvi as premier
tenor" has many faults which have been
noticed over and over again in these columns
but his rendition Of such airs as !" Tu che bio
Spirgasti''-" Still so Gently" Gc-and his
Masanello, are beyond doubt admirable per-
formanees. Fe is well seconded by Yietti
whom we. shall probably one day see in the first
rank Of bis profession. With these we have
well-drilled chorus, comprising many excellent
voices, and an orchestra which-we speak
from experience render justice 10 Don
Giovanni.
No mean show. Were it only recently inn
ported from Europe we should have people
rushing in locks to the doors, and no other
topic of conversation but the wonderful per-
iormances Of the new Opera" AS ii is, Masa-
niello is the first piece that has been produced
at Niblo's that has drawn remunerative houses.
We shall see how long the support Of the
f,shionables viii last
ANOTHER MANIFESTATION OF ABoIITIoNIsN IN
TIE CADINET.--A few months ago we published
the fact Of convention having been concluded
between the British government and ours, for
the appointment of commission to settle all
the outstanding claiuis which citizens Of either
country might have against the government Of
the other The court OF adjudication was to
consist Of two commissioners, one appointed by
each government and two agents, or Judge
advocates, to act as counsel FOR or against tie
claimants The convention also provided, in
case OF Disagreement between the arbiters, for
the appointment Of an umpire, whose decision
- q Il.