The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-11-24
Academy OF Music.


may be properly termed return to FIRST principles It
has been the fashion Of late to talk about Mozart
old fashioned composer, who went with the tall head
dresses, powder, high heeed Shoes spnnets and knee
breeches. The " Don Giovanni = were complacently
told would do in while for tho end Of the season.
but that ALL Here we have in the present inpresa
rio Of the Academy manager who has the teerity TO
give two OF Mozarts operas within three each
other who revivcs Paesielo, and talks familiarity
about Guck Not only does he present the operas,
he makes them attract crowded houses Sach was the
case with the " Don Giovanni so il was with the
Nozzc d Figaro which presented for tho first
the Academy last night to audience which in
cluded ali the haliues, the Of the beau monde and
every professor and connoseur Of any note in the city
The performance announced as the first that has
been given of the opera in America II may have
been the first in Italian but believe it Is matter OF
history thai Miss Charlotte Cushman made her debut as
The Countess Amayya Al New Orleans about
three twenty years ago and that about the same
time the $ Marriage OF Figaro was produced al the
National theatre III Leonard street However, the FIRST
performance OF the Italian version for many years
that at the Academy last night. The opera has lately
made Juror IN London with Piccoiomlni Susannah
during the last winter il produced Theatre
iyrique Paris, with Duprez, Mioan and Others, and
for many nights no places could be had unless taken
in advance, Tor love or money. SO that
Mozart is NOT SO much out of fashion after all.
II would be pity such writing that in the "Sozze
q Figaro should be laid upon the shelf Next 10 the
SION Giovanni il is the puresl specimen Of Italian opera
upon the modern stage The plot is founded upon Beau
marcha,s, comedy die Marriage di Figaro he story of
which closely followed in the opera The troubles OF
the CoRa Almaviva, who is ormentcd at the time
With Jealousy IL Chcrnhlno aud passion for Susannah
ana played uron by these characters well by the
Countess and Figaro, forms series Of amusing situations
and drol complications, liking the attention of the audi
ence until the curtain falls The airs Of the opera
simply and psny item; like those of The snon Clio
vann they delight rather than asionsh. The music is
highly animated and dramatic throughout the instru
full complete and delicious every
the word The characters though numerous distinct
~ marked, and II properly performed Thoroughly
joyabIe last night representation was an admirable
one in almost every respect The "cast' was as iol
Iows:-
me countess. nine Ghioni
Cherubno. Nine. Iierke
Marcctnnc. Nine Nora
rEai licr roi mcs
The count signor florenza
baitoio. signor Wench
ahono S'gnor Muller
ION IsSrho MI ferring
The man intcrcs, Of the audience conferred OF course
in the Susannah Of the night. Pccoomni gave fresh
pquant and altogether bewtchng Interpretation OF
role She seemed to pcrvade tho stage in part and
the brisk joyous way which she dashed through the
OPERA sight TO behold. She sang the music well
throughout, and gave the which fall 10 susan
nahand they really only bits in concerted pieces
With exquisite taste The Figaro Of Formes was excellent
full Of his characteristic rerry lie was in admirable
voice, and ratified of the Non piu auda in way that
made Il seem almost new and gained an impctuous dc
mand for its repition. Fomes' Figaro Is Of his
best roles. The Counters has fine air" forg amor
which Mime. Ghion sung admirably. Florcnza had what
is often called the gem OF the opcrassvcro mentr 10 Sos
PHO (which he sung In thoroughly artistic way. Cheru
bno good deal frightened but looked prc,tly and
had evidently learned the music thoroughly. Decidedly
we cannot have 70 good voice al Nine Berkels hidden
she must develop The real Of the opera however,
the quartet Cono - and the concerted piece
ceedng which well sung and received fayoraby bu
which, II they were Thoroughly known would create a
storm OF enthusiasm The fact Is about this opera that II
has almost too many good things but that hardly be
urged fault. The performance OF last night
highly successful a whole. Piccoonini gained n new
perior and probably rival The ensemble likewise
good and the orchestra gave full justice the masters
grand Instrumentation. The artists received all the honos
OF n genuine success.
The NOzzc al Figaro will be repeated 10 night for tho
last time, the season viii close within tho week.
ARrHrR NArousoS's SopEg Mrslcsg-Arthur Nsro-
eon the young Portuguese pianist made his dcba IN this
country at Dodsworhs Rooms Broadway last night be-
fore very large and critical audience Young Napoleon
has acquired very exalted European reputation ami he
bids fair achieve large accession II fame in America
lie IL truly master 81 the planoorte His execution
cary Prom his youthful and hat frsl appearance
for he Is but a boy In years, though In genius
docs not expect 10 discover such complete command
Of the instrument ~ he evinccd In his performance last
night Il must have been highly gratifying to him TO
his first appearance before New York audience
the marked and enthusiastic appreciation which his play
ing called forth Napoleon assisted by Sgnora
Carroll and Mr. Bennett excellent bssso. who, IN the
absence Of &r fcrrng. the laIor, who engaged
the Opera took the place o the latter gentleman. Tho
youthful pianist II destined 10 enjoy large share o popn
lar favor and DC Justly merits u, Tor doubt ~ any
pianist who has appeared before public has under oil
circumstance presented stronger claims 10 the admira
ton Of a critical audience.