The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-12-15

PROGRESS OF Music IN THE UNITED STATES
II ia much the fashion with travelled Americans
as well as Europeans to sneer at the infancy OF
art in our country. While it is true that the sis
tiers three-P Painting, Sculpture and Music-have
had rather hard time to get their absolute
bread and butter from us, yet the facts show that
we are not altogether SO prosaic as has been re-
presented. The almighty dollars are poured out
sometimes for other things besides cotton, tobac-
co, stocks or dry goods Music seems to be at
a higher point OF development here than any Of
the other arts We find that in its most exquisite
exponents-the works Of the great Italian and
German composers-it has taken great hold
upon the people. SO thoroughly established is this
fact that the American market in the artistic world
stands almost equal to the Russian with its great
government patronage; the French, with the fas-
cinations of Paris thrown in; or the English,
with its generous aristocratic subscription. The
artists who visit us find that they appeal directly
to the masses Of the people, and that the appeal
is not made in vain. Hardly thirty years
have passed since Malibran sung at the
Bowcry theatre, to an audience which ac-
knowledged her powers, so far as they
understood them. 1t is less than fifteen
years since anything like an organized Opera
company sung in a New York Opera house for
the first time. Since that time two Opera houses
have been built in the metropolis, one in Phila-
delphia, and one in Boston. Over three-quarters
Of million of dollars have been invested in
them-not as specuiations, because such property
never pays financial return. It may be said
that ostentation has as much to do with the
building of these art temples as love for the art
itself But in such matters we are to look at
results, not motives. If a needy amateur gets
bis comfortable scat at the Opera for twenty-five
or 6fty cents, and has an evening in Elysium, the
wealthy merchant, who owns six shares and
parades Madame in her own box, may certainly
be hardened for his little vanity, in consideration
of the delight be affords indirectly to others.
In truth the public taste just now seems to be
fixed in favor Of the highest style Of public
amusemcnts. Even our Western brethren have
begun to find out that there is something worth
doing beyond whskey drinking, tobacco chew
ing. stump speaking, horse trading, and land
swindng. We find in Cincinnati-which was
comparatively little while ago village
a patriotic citizen, of the name Of Pike, going
quietly and building grand Opera house on
bis own account II will cost, we are told, no less
than four hundred thousand dollars. The house
has a frontage Of las ieet by depth Of 100 feet
and win be inaugura,ed on the 22d Of February
with an immense ball, after which it will be dedi-
oated IN oneratic and dramatic purposes. The
front Is Of blue sandstone, five stories high, and
Is rich in medallons. busts, colossal statues and
ornamental scroll work. The design Of the in
terior-by Trimble, of New York-is elaborate
and costly in the extreme; to which GoDdcini
and a corps Of Ita;ian artists, also Of New York,
add most lavish amount of decoration, parti-
cularly upon the prosceniums, which are p feet
wide by so feet high. The management is in the
hands Of Charles NJ. Barras, Of Cincinnati"
We have already alluded to the Brooklyn Ope-
m house. which Is understood to be fairly under
vav. The population of Cincinnati Is about
two hundred thousand souls, and includes a
strong infusion Of the German element, which Is
almost fanatically musical IL has likewise a
large floating population, being the entrepot Of
travel to the South and West. Whether so ex-
pensive house as that above described can be
supported Is a matter Of doubt; but the fact
that the experiment IL to be tried Is strong
proof Of the growing love for art among US.
Doubtless we shall soon hear Of 81. Louis and
Chicago following in the wake Of the Queen
City,