New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-06-30
THE BLACK OPERA.

n the lyricsm of Sterschorus or Of Anacreon may
be regarded as embodiment of the characteristic
sentiments OF the ancients if the genius of Alceus
and Of Sappho perpetuaed the mysterious music of
tbe olden fame unvoced before-why may not the
banjoism of a Congo, Ethiopian or George
Christy aspire TO equality with the musical and
poeticai deiDeatOrs of all natonaities IL may in
deed be urged that the banjo is not as classical
instrument as the Tyre of the encients-that the met
rcal compositions of the colored and their mi-
tators fall tiAe beneath the standard of excellence
10 which custom has rated the poets of antiquity
shat the use of the jawbone and bellows, of Mcchan-
ios' Hall notorety, cannot be counteuanced by the
yotsres Of eethetic pursuits. All this may be urged
by the erudite stickler for conventonates and ac-
copied by others of his class, but the world will 60
On believing as it now believes that truthfuness to
nature the vitality of art that music is only true to
its high mission when it expounds the subtle philoso-
phy of the soul the language of the heart the mystery
of the senses with the infinite emotions passions,
thoughts, which constitute the nature of man; and
that whether the instrument which subserves this pur
pose chances to be Tyre or banjo or whether the
people whose lives and emotions are thus perpetuated
be the highest the lowest type of the human family
the result is still the same, differing only in the stand
ard of ts influence and the character which that nhu
ence assumes. Absurd as may seem negro minstrelsy
10 the refined musician is nevertheless beyond doubt
that ii expresses the peculiar characteristics of the
negro as truly the great masters OF Italy represent
their more spiritual and profound nationality And
although the melody of Long-tailed Blue" may not
possess the intellectual properties OF al aria by Bel
nj. vet II win contain as much truth to the humanity
of which it to be the exponent and quite as
much enthusiasm will be manifested by its listeners
Whether the black opera originated in Numidia, or
ON the banks of the Nile, history tradition saith
not. It's fnt appearance in good society may be
set down to 1922, when, in drama produced at
Drury-lane Theater, in London, Dibdin introduced
the character of negro, who, in the of the
niece sung a ballad, of which give one stanza:
"Ribd King he make great strife,
Gumbe dad, him life 70 save,
Asd poor Gumbo for slave!
Cruel ting Of dam ole King.
But Gumbo dry him tear, and sse
Dinge, jingle, tangaro"
The "dingle jingle, tangaro' is the only portion OF
this composition which smacks Of originality the
rest was tame and vspid, but suited to the audience
sor which il was intended. About the same time
OKeefe in the Opereta of Paul and Virginius, Dor
rowed the idea of colored solo, and gave very
pleasing and characteristic melody. Subsequently,
Carney Burns the clown of circus company per-
forming at the Park Theater sung, between the acts
a composition which he termed "Gumbo Chat"
Its popularity was immediate aud the eccentric Bar
ney instantly became object of considerable i'm
portance; but the appearance, during the same sea-
son of ustrous competitor for the palm OF negro
lyricsm caused his star 20 fade and gradually disap-
pear. II twas at this epoch that Mr.. T. ID. Rice made
his debut in a dramatic sketch entitled Jim Crow
and from that moment everybody was doing just
$50" and continued doing Just so" for months, and
even years aiterward. Never was there such an ex'
citement in the musical dramatic world; nothing
was talked Of nothing written of, and nothing
dreamed of but Z" jim Crow" The most sober ciu-
zeps began to wheel about, snd turn about, and
slump Jim Crow" 1, seemed as though the entire
population had been bitten by the tarantula; in the
paror, in the kitchen s the shop and in the street.
Jim Crow monopolized public attention. IL must have
been a species Of insanity, though OF gentle and
pleasing kind for II made hearts lighter, and meier,
and happier; il smoothed away frowns and wrinkles.
and replaced them with smiles. Its effects were visi-
bic alike on youth and age.
The success Of Mr.. Rice called out numerous imi-
tators "Sittin' Rail-" "Getting up stairs"
"Long-taled blue" Zip Coon" ETC., succeeded
each other rapidly, and for the time being, Negro
hinstrelsy was the ruling power. Goosey Gander'
and Old Dan Tucker" came aferw ard-and who is
there that cannot recoIlect the enthusiasm with which
the first appearance Of DANDY Jim" was hsiled
How often that colOred gentleman came from Caro-
slime" it would be impossible TO estimate but we
suppose would bear comparison with the number Of
occasions on which the ancient spd venerable darkey
was made TO sing Garry me back TO old vrginny"
The homeIipess the truthfaness Of these compost
Sons a~fabfshed their popularity. There was moth