Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-11-26
EV VENING STAR.
Miss Juliana Nav.

The following comes from a very intelligen,
gentleman, who is not only intelligent and
able, but also musical, and capable of proper
ly appreciating what he writes Of
1t will not be long before the American
people, who love to patronize and henor the
opera, and it's most celebrated and renowned
artists, may have an opportunity of listening
to the sweet aud melodious voice Of the great
American cantatrice, Miss Juliana May, who
was born and reared in Washington city A
few years since, Miss May, who had lauda-
BILE passion for music, and whose voice, by
her friends, was deemed to be charming one,
went to Italy to perfect herself in her pOpu-
lar art, where she remained some two or three
years under the tuition and instruction Of the
most celebrated aud accomplished masters Of
the profession, in that country of music, of
song, of painting, and of sculpture
Miss May made her debVt in opera, at Ve-
roma, last year, and was eminently successful
But almost instantaneOusly there sprung up,
rs if by magic, a species Of jealousy and op-
position to her, on the part Of those who man
aged and sang at the opera, which proclaimed
in unmistakable terms that an -dmsrtean ca,,-
tatrtce, no matter how excellent her charac-
ter, her voice, and her execution, should not
be successful, should not triumph in the Old
World
This jealousy and opposition xas partially
successful. Miss May afterwards appeared a.
prima donna in an opera at Milan, but the
opposition to her success appeared there also
in its full force on the part of those who man
aged and controlled the operas. Neither
there, nor anywhere else in Italy, nor even IT,
Paris, would the diIsttGmtG Of Italy and
France allow or permit an American canta-
trice to earn aDd establish a triumph in the
art of music. Miss Mays refined American
education, manners, and purity of character,
did not make her congenial to the peculiar
notions and ideas Of those settlers Of fashion
IN Europe who manage the operas ever the
water. Even though the Americans had
bowed with homage and admiration TO the
accomplishments in the art Of music of those
distinguished foreign artists, Jenny Lind, Al
boni, ISontsg, ParOdi, Grisi. Madam Bishop.
Louisa Pyne, &c, yet when a brilliant and an
accomplished American prima donna appeared
or, through her friends, attempted to appesr
In opera In Earope, Jealousy and opposition
must needs rise against her and decree her de-
feat If this is TO be the rule of reciprocity.
the American public will be very apt to retail
late with interest. Even the virtuous and
wonderful Jenny Lind could not be permitted
TO be heard at the opera in Paris
Last year whilst Miss May, with her mother,
WassoJourning In Paris, great effort was made
by many of the two or three thousand Ameri-
cans who were in Paris at the time, 70 get the
managers and controllers of the opera there to
allow Miss May to appear as prima donna at
one OF those establishments, but all to no pur
pose Near three thousand Americans were
ready and anxious to give her a reception
worthy Of her great talents and virtues; but
they were denied the privilege The Ameri.
can cantatrice was too accomplished and too
accomplished and too virtuous to conform to
the notions and ideas Of those who bore most
sway in the management Of operas Of Paris.
30 last year Miss May did not appear before
Partisan audience. But, as it appears, a
change has been wrought on this subject of
late, in that great emporium of fashion From
the last arrived steamer, the news comes
TO US that just as Miss May was preparing to
leave for this country, to obey a call to appear
in opera in the leading cities of her own coun-
try, pressing request has been made to her
to remain for while, and appear as prim a
donna in the Italian Opera at Paris, and th at
she has accepted the offer. That her success
will be brilliant in the highest degree, there
cannot be particle of doubt in the minds of
those who have the fortune to be acquainted
with the fair lady.-Nsao York Express.