The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-12-09

matte powers; Mile. Poiasot finished and Gle
CANT artist cfthe French school; Madame Laborde,
ninible and agile singer who assonshes by her
executive shill; Mile. Ghioni, a graceful and
pleasing me22o-eoprano and Herr Formes, Sig
nor Floronza, ard host of other male talents
such az aIe rarely to he found combined in the
same company. To Mile. Piccolomini, however,
the success Of the season is especially owing.
Notwithstanding he malicious and unmanly ef-
forts made by clique Of kingry critics and ar
tiss 10 depreciate her in the public favor, and to
dishoarien the enthusiasm which is the most
prominent feature Of her character, she has tri-
Imphcd over all the obstacles opposed to her
success, and borne to the management the re-
wards of the discrimination which placed it's for
tunes in her hands.
There can be nothing more gratifying to can
did minds than the victory Of genius like that
OF this wonderful artist over the vulgar
influences which would refuse to talent
like hers the homage which is its due Had
she not disdained the acts by which other sing
ers anticipate the verdict of the public, she pro-
badly would not have found these obstacles in
her path. But in proportion to their annoyance
and to the courage which she has exercised in
overcoming them has been the extent Of her
triumph. The most insatiate ambition could not
have desired higher reward than the sponta-
neous and cordial feelings which prompted the
demonstration Of Tuesday night If Nile Picco-
lomini has to complain of unfair and ungallant
treatment at the hands of few miserable de-
tractors, the memory of it must have been wiped
out by the unanimous tribute Of public regard
paid TO her upon that occasion.
Now that the overshadowing influence of the
Opera has been removed for time to other To-
calities, the regular theatres may hope to live.
There is no use in concealing the fact that az
long as there are powerful musical attractions
like those of the last Academy season, in
the way, the ordinary theatres have but
slim chance of sustaining themselves.
Our people have become essentially mu-
steal in their tastes, and they will flock where
ever inducements of this character are held out
to them The attention devoted to the musical
education of children in boarding schools and
other educational establishments, and the inter-
mixture of large body of French and German
residents, all having tendencies in the same
direction, will account for this dominant passion.
In order, therefore, that the theatres may be
enabled for the future to compete successfully
with Opera for share of the public favor, they
must take care to insure success by the frequent
production of novelties and first rate artistic
talent. Our managers seem to be awakening to
this fact, if we are to judge from the example set
by that accomplished veteran, Mr.. Wallack.
Convinced that he must get out of the old beaten
track if he does not want to be left behind, he
seems determined to prove to us how attractive
the legitimate drama can be rendered by a
strict compliance with Its conceptions and text.
This is a movement in the right direction, and the
powerful competing influence Of the Opera re-
moved, we have no doubt that the success of the
experiment will be commensurate, with he ex-
pense which has been gone to to give it due
effect The other theatres are also preparing to
take advantage of the chances which the termi-
nation Of the Opera season affords them. At the
Broadway, we understand, Mr.. Forrest, the
greatest artist that the American stage has ever
produced, will shortly play short engagement
prior to his final retirement from bis profession.
Mrs. Sinclair an artist who has won great repu-
tation in England and elsewhere will also shortly
make her appearance at one of our metropolitan
theatres. The interest attaching to these events
will probably do much to raise our metropolitan
theatres from the restitution and encouragement
to which the Opera has reduced them. The revi-
VAL however, can only be temporary, unless
their managers copy a leaf out of Mr.. Ullman's
book. To keep pace with the public require
ments nowadays, the director of theatre must
not only possess the courage to attempt, but the
judgment to conceive, and the energy to carry
out, the Hottest and boldest efforts Of art.