The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-05-08

are no interests, however apparently antago
nistic, no prejudices, however strong, which
are not capable Of being reconciled. In poll
tics we have seen how easily extremes meet;
and in musical affairs we have just had SINH
lar illustration.
The junction of the rival Opera companies Of
the Academy of Music and Of Niblos has come
upon every one with surprise. The former had
no sooner had spell of success, after the most
trying and disoouraging struggles, than it was
menaced with an opposition Of most formida-
BILE character. 1t was an opposition against
which all the artistical talent, oil the manageri-
al tact, ard all the great financial resources of
the Academy would have found it difficult to
contend. The Opera company at Niblo's would,
by the force of its own merits, have lived oub
he full term of it's engagement, without making
much by the enterprise, it is true, but still
doing enough to damage its Weather rival, ana
to convert the hard earned successes Of the lat.
ter into perhaps disastrous losses. Those who
were acquainted with the merits of the artists
composing the new company at Niblo's, awaited
in dismay the result Of this ruinous con-
test. 1t presented the Directors of the Acade-
my with pretty much the same prospects
as those which stared Mr.. Lumley in the face
when Gye carried off most ofhis leading artists
and established rival Opera in Covent Gar
den. Owing to the obstinacy of the former,
the rival house throve sufficiently to ruin the
Lessee Of her Majesty's Theatre without benefit
ting at all its own lessee. Had Lumley possessed
a little tact and more pliancy of character he
would have accommodated matters with the
refractory members Of his troupe, and spared
the heavy sacrifices which he was subsequently
compelled to make. Strong, however, as he
fancied himself in the support of the aristo-
cracy, he refused to make the least concessions,
and the consequence was that he lost every
penny that he had previously acquired.
There is no position, perhaps, which requires
greater judgment and diplomatic tact than
that of an impresayio. Singers are proven
bially the most perverse and difficult race
to deal with in any of the pursuits Of
life. just as they are now SO they were
in the tine of Horace. No one, therefore,
has chance Of conducting successfully
the affairs OF an Opera house, unless with
great administrative skill he combines
profound knowledge Of humaa nature and
great adroitness Of manner. He has to adapt
himself to all sorts Of characters and disposi-
tions, end to diplomatise in circumstances in
which he ought to be able to command. Gu
rious to say, although the present directors of
the Academy are almost all men of business,
and are presumed to have little experience in
such matters, they have exhibited more of those
qualities than any of the professional inpresa-
rios we are acquainted with, Either the COM
mittee as body, or some master spirit amongst
of late to be guiding the affairs of the society
with unerring judgment and success. We saw
how, after the failure Of Ole Bull, the disorgan-
ization and encouragement which threatened
the disruption Of the troupe, were all at once
converted, by the magic touch Of some invisi-
BILE wand, into harmonious action and conf
dence. Since then the admirable management
which has been evinced in the control OF all the
details of the administration, in which the
selection of new and attractive works, and the
completeness of their mise en- scene, formed, of
course, the principal features, has conducted
the establishment in short time to o
height of prosperity unexamp'ed in the
history Of similar undertakings in this
country. All the fruits, however, of this care
full and skilfui management were, as we have al,
ready stated, perilled by the formidable cbarac
ter of the opposition threatened by the new
troupe at Niblo's. It was impossible thai New
York could sustain two such companies, each
Of sterling merit, and doubt and anxiety conse-
quently impended over the prospects Of both
1t is under such difficult circumstances that
great men show themselves. There was but
one means Of reconciling the rival interests
but it was one thing to suggest it, and another
to carry IL out. To the Ohevalier WIkoff be-
longs both the credit Of the idea and The &c
complishment Of the work of the coalition. II
delicacy and difficulty it deserves to be classed
amongst the most famous fusions Of rival 10
terests on record, whether political, religious,
or artistical, not excepting the patchwork cabi.
net Of Lord North, the mongrel administration
Of Lord Aberdeen, or the coalition Of Chris
tianity and Mahommetanism under the aus
pices OF the new Holy Alliance.
Having overcome this last and most for
midable obstacle in their path, the directors of
the Academy have now but little to fear from
any fresh attemp; at rivalry. They have got
before the wind with full sails, and they have
only to persevere in the judicious, liberal and
popular spirit which has marked their manage
ment of late, to secure the most brilliant re-
suits. In the meanwhile, the lovers of the
italian lyrical Muse may congratulate them
selves upon her having taken up her permanent
abode amongst US, as their favorite amusement
seems now finally placed beyond the dangers
arising from incompetent management aud in.
sufficient resources.
AN ANTI SLAVERY ORGAN IN OLD KENTUCKY.
The Louisville Journal comes out in furious