The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-05-07

OPRA AID FAsHIoG--UPs AND DOWNS
During the last few weeks the management OF
the Italian Opera in this city has displayed 30
much good sense, good taste and energy in the
management of Its affairs-the audiences have
been 60 numerous, fashionable and intellectual
the operas have been SO well performed-the
artists have been 30 quiet, industrious and
meritorious-that it seemed for once that the
Opera was to be successful that the fashionable
world was to be gratifed with its favorite
amusement as fixed fact, and that there was
to be one sacred refined circle in this semi-bar-
barous city. The troubles Of twenty years
the annoyances Of oyster house critics--the
rivalries and jealousies of artists-had all been
submerged by the skill and tact with which the
affairs of the management were conducted, and
the production of " William Tell" Was the
browning point of their exertions. We began
to forget the .fasc0s Of Palmo and others-of
the younger Fry as q manager-of the elder
Fry as q composer--the varying fortunes Of
Maretzek, and the sudden break down of Ole
Bull; we began to realize at last that the Opera
could really be made to live, to succeed, and
to support itself, with the exercise of a little
common sense and business tact in the details
of its management.
But this prospect Of spring and sunshine for
the Opera at the Academy of Music now seems
in danger of being suddenly eclipsed by a full
other words, rival Opera has sprung up at ano-
Their establishment, which bids fair to divide the
attention of the musical public. In the first flush
of the prosperity Of the Opera at the Academy
the managers have to contend against new
rival, possessed of such brilliant aud striking
talent that the public will become infatuated
with her at once. This will divide the Ru-
diences, diminish the receipts, and reduce the
balance in the treasury Of the former establish
ment by the. opposition of the new company.
The Opera at the Academy has some advantage
in the sill of the management, the perfection
of detail, and the general excellence OF the
artists, but the new rival, who has just made
her appearance, possesses such brilliant talents
that she, alone, is sufficient guarantee for the
support of the establishment where she is en-
gagged.
We never can have good thing in this city,
without being over-dosed with it. No sooner
does one opera company inset with temporary
success little flush of victory than another
springs up with sufficient strength to divide the
audiences and thus reduce matters to the old
standard Of thin houses and empty cash boxes.
We can see but one result to this rivalry of
operate managers, if tits continued. The pep
pie will not support two opera companies-one
OF both must sink, and probably we shall be
left with no Opera at all.
POstcyipt-Late and Inp0rtont.-Since the
above was written, we learn, much to our aston
ishment, that an arrangement or contract has
been effected among the responsible parties, by
which the two Opera tr0upes have been united,
to be hereafter under the sole management of
the existing committee of the Academy THAT
the Barber Of Seville" with Madame La
Grange as RosiDa advertised for tonight at
Niblo's theatre, will be postponed to tomorrow
night, and be transferred to the Academy-and
that. hereafter, for week or more, there will
be performance every night at the Academy
-"Il Trovatore" one night, and I" II Barbiere''
the next. We learn further, that the committee
of the Academy will make all these announce
ments in the evening journals of to-day. If
these promises are theoretically carried out,
we may at last consider that the italian Opera,
on the most liberal footing, will be permanently
established in New York.