The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-04-21
NEW YORK HERALD SATURDAY, APRIL n, 1856


springs Of water that can be found anywhere
and pond Of most inviting aspect. Noblemsn
and fast people generally spend Q portion Of
the dog days in this retreat and Americans In
Paris win find it well to make its acquaintance.
A FUNNY FRI AT THE AcADEMY.-A very
amusing little exposure-a sort Of tempest
in small way-has taken place ct the Academy
of Music within the past few days. About ten
Gays ago we remember seeing an announce
ment in our columns of an original oratorio,
composed by one Of the Frys, put up for rehear-
sal and announced to be performed at the
Academy on Thursday of this week. No great
sensation was caused by this bulletin-there
was no earthquake-no volcanic eruption
no water spout-no nothing-not even the
sage of Brooklyn, the remarkable E. Me-
Ram, noticed the fact in his important
occultation of the planet Venus Two days
since, we observed card published by the
Committee of Management Of the Opera, an
nouncing the entire withdrawal Of the new
oratorios, for the very good and sufficient reason
that its rehearsals interfered with the regular
business Of the Academy. The managers had
in rehearsal new opera which has already
been successful abroad, and either this opera
or the oratorio must give way. The managers
considered the rehearsal of the new opera as
more important-they preferred to give the
public something which had already been
proved to be good than to take the risk upon
the doubtful issue of q new composition by q
genius Of no great reputation.
After silence of day and half, or two
days, out comes the composer, in a letter to
his organ, covering nearly two columns, de-
failing all the negotiations, giving copies of
his correspondence, and describing the causes
which have combined to prevent the perform
ance of his oratorio The whole matter he
sums up in few word de, and one idea-that
the influence of the HERALD caused all the
dissatisfaction during the rehearsals and,
finally, ended in the Withdrawal Of the oratorio
and the indefinite postponement Of its per-
Torrance.
Several Of our contemporaries published, yes
terday, extracts from and criticisms upon this
Fry manifesto. Some Of them rail at the
management Of the Academy-say all sorts of
severe things agslnst the stockholders while
others, putting themselves in the proud attitude
of Roman Brutus, disclaim all influence for
themselves in the matter, and hold US up as
the autocrat of the Opera, and the terrible Gear
before whose dread will managers, artists, and
all bow with the most abject humility. The
majority of our contemporaries unite more or
less in the opinion that we have frightened off
the performance of the Fry oratorio.
Well, this is certainly piece Of news to us
1t is the freshest item of intelligence that we
have received for some time. 1t is true that
we have taken some interest in the affairs of
the Academy, but far less than some of the
journals would endeavor to make 1t appear.
The editor Of this ournal has never communi-
Gated with any member of the Committee of
Management, or other person in authority, as to
what compositions should or should not be per-
formed. His influence has been confined to lend
ing helping hand to the Opera when managed
upon a popular and liberal scale. With all
due respect, then, to the opinions Of our CO.
temporsries, we beg leave to set aside the
offered diadem, as Caesar did when the "kingly
crowL" was offered to him by the man in the
play, according to Shakespeare. We must decline
the honor ALSO Our highest ambition is to
become the correct exponent of public opinion
to make this journal the organ of the free,
unfettered, common sense of the American
people, upon every subject Of art, music, poll
tics, commerce, law, religion or Know Moth
ipgism. If we reach that point, our power
will be equal to our highest aspirations.
With regard to the influences which have
caused Fry's oratorio to be kicked out of the
Academy of Music, it is the opinion of many
that the good sense of the Committee of Manage.
ment had more to do with it than any other
cause; but five were disposed to search for the
original springs Of the movement we should
find them in the opinions of the highly respect
able and very numerous audiences, who have Of
late frequented the Opera here, in their deter
mination to patronize nothing but standing
operas, by recognized composers, sung by
good artists, properly put on the stage, and
well done in every respect They are tired Of
these "small fry" affairs, which SO disastrously
affected the Italian Opera Of former days. The
Academy seems, at recent date, to have got
rid of its "small fry" managers-now it has fol.
lowed up the work by kicking the ''small fry"
compositions out ofits doors. Its reliance is now
upon its own merits, supported by the intelli-
gence and common sense of the community.
For further particulars read the card of the
management in another column.
The Know NoTHINGs IN MAssACHUsErrs.-The
committee Of the Massachusetts, Legislature has
come to the conclusion that the rowdy MEM
bers of that body who intruded into female