The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-09-15

The Opera goers say they TO hear not the words but
the music. But music must always express Q
though or musical entertainment rises little above
chd's rattle The fact is, Mr.. and Mrs. Fifth avenue pa
uonMe the Opera, and Mr. and Mrs. A. b. q and
on must 40 the same, and are ready 70 fall into trans
Pors over anything not American II u Fortunate
mes nat opera people cannot understand Italian, for the
language and sentiments Of many Operas are vcously
ton absolutely necessary for mind and bojv. but va
should find pleasures which do not like the Onera lead
corruption. When music is the accomnaniment az a
hymn TO the Creator when it is the exnonenf ~ saha
oraorio when 1t breahes fourth virtue sobretv ana
chastity il is eevatng and heavenly but when music en-
bodies the ascviousness Of Don Juan the bhsphemy
of "Fra Davoo, sung by actors actresses not TO-
lerated only in exceptional cases, society amid the
dazzle blaze Of the footghs under the half maniac
gaze the gambler and the Tom and the unveiled blush
less gances OF her whose steps lead down 70 hewhen
music uers her godke symphonies 70 such be-
fore such people, and in sucha place. then the fall the
devil and his angels from the purity Of heaven the noble
gift Of the Creator prosttued 10 the grossest passions and
the most shocking obscenity. Wonder that the prma
donnas gifts may spell bind the orchestra may thrill the
blood with the enchantment of harmony the actors may
through their motions with unparalleled exactness the
boxes may storm with applause flowers glowing in their
native beauty and purity may the performers, gor
geous dresses and jewels may sparkle upon lovely
FORMS and everywhere be enchanmant and gayey, yet
amid the shouts and applause, the glare and
dazzle, there comes up an incense, terrible, pesen
ta horrible, at which virtue shrinks aud weeps, and
chastity holds It's ears with horror The fashionable
accustomed 70 its dazzle and the vicious to its lewdness
but young men and young women Of sober and religious
training return home from the Opera dream OF magic
and awaken dissatisfied with the realities OF materofact
HE They become prey the Of the Operahonor
dshonored virtue dethroned life ruined eternity waiting
He spoke not against music which one Of the best
gifts OF God but against operate music Music represents
action OF some nature either innocent guilty and it
either symbol Of Joy or OF darkness. God made
superior TO other animals and gave him which in
cudes all the sweet sounds Of which other animals are
capabe and by his art in placing substances together
especially by sending the wind through that wonderful
work OF his genius, the organman has found Of
producing music the m, most exalted ~ TO purity his own
young men and women remember that when they
TO death the sweetest strains not be the overture 10
g Don Giovanni but rather strain like that which Dud
ley Tyng's wife sang when he dying. Looking upon
his father, who stood by his deatbed-and beyond him,
he already heard the music of the sphereshe dying
preacher said in subdued tones Father, sing-sing ~
His father could not sing, the friends around could
sing but as his griefsricken wife sang that beautiful
hymn
Rock Of ages, clef, for me,
Let me hide my soul In Thee
the dying man looked smingiy upwards, his eyes
glazed and he passed to better land The preacher
next spoke of the beneficial and humanxng influences Of
music and appealed to Christian parents give their chill
dren musical training In conclusion he warned young
and women TO avoid the dangerous aurement Of the
Opera house The poison they would swallow the draft
Of delicious music proered them would certainly
secret way into their moral being Their best safeguard
against this and all other moral dangers religion
them not visit the Opera from curiosity but remember the
words of Pope
Where ignorance Is bliss It's folly to be wise.
The Rabbins have saying that the difference between
the Cherubim and the Seraphim is that the Cherubim
knows most and the Seraphm loves most Had God
blessed them with musical facutesY Then let them fur
Their ask Him for the blessing OF heart, that their
lips might exsatic strains unheard in the synnpho-
MES OF the most gifted masters The cry Of the penent
soul the returning prodigal is the sweetest in
jehovah's What be sweeter music than the
words of the saviour-Come unto me all We that labor
and are heavy laden, and will give you rest" Was
such music heard at the Opera? Listen to his
mysterious dirge for you-'' Father, if it be pos
sible, let this cup pass by me;' listen to his terri
BILE solo for you" My Cod My God Why hast
thou forsaken me?'' Listen to his sonnet Of
mercy for you" Father, forgive them they know not
what they do" Listen TO his dying quaver for you
1t is nshedo Listen to the chorus Of victory, as the
God man rises from the grave, and angels in their
gala range along the way from earth to heaven crying
open the everlasting gntes and let the king of glory
And rising above powers and princpates and and
stars, our Saviour enters the gates OF PARADISE while
the rapturous throng sing nobler song
All hail the power of Jesus name
Let angels PROSTATE fall
Bring forth the royal diadem
And crown him Lord of all.