The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-12-23


already alluded to the peculiarly interesting
circumstances under which the recent Opers
season at the Academy was begun, continued
and ended-how almost everything and almost
everybody except the eleventh hour primn
donna, Miss Patti, broke down, and how her ex-
traordinary success saved the fortunes Of the
Opera, and carried the managers away to the
provinces with flying colors 1t is known, too.
very WE'LL that in Philadelphia Miss Patti re-
affirmed her metropolitan triumphs, and excited
the immobile people of the Quaker City to an
unwonted excess Of enthusiasm.
Just now the managers of the Academy are
operating both in New York and in Philadel-
phia; their artistic resources enabling them to
divide and conquer both cities at the same
point of time. For them the golden age COM
menced with the engagement of Miss Patti. The
two nights reserved during this week for "Lu-
cha di Lammermoor " and La Sonnambula.v in
both Of which operas Miss Patti sang, were
very successful. The Academy of Music on
Wednesday and on last evening was crowded
with purely metropolitan audience, assembled
to hear in hackneyed operas prima donna
who was altogether unknown six weeks ago.
The amount of money taken at the Academy
for these two nights is nearly five thousand
dollars, or something more than weeks re-
ceipts during the dark periods of the season.
AS matter of course, this prosperous re-
sui has inspirited the managers and restor-
ed their dropping spirits and given new life
to the directors of the Academy, who fur
nished the material and wherewith to carry
on the season. So far have the latter poten-
tates been delighted with the success of Miss
Patti that they are making arrangements for
grand benefit, which is to be given to the new
prima donna next week. 1t is intended that
this benefit shall be brilliant tribute from the
polite world Of the metropolis to an ex-
quisite singer, who belongs especially to New
York. During the whole of Christmas week
the Opera will be continued. On Monday
'Ernani" is to be given for the debut Of Signor
Susini, o basso, who will be favorably remem-
bered as having been a member of the Grisi
and Mario company. "Don Giovanni" is an
nounced for Tuesday, with Miss Patti as Ter
lima, for the first time in New York. Perform
ances will also be given on Thursday and Fri
day, and one Of these nights will be taken for
the grand Patti benefit
1t is quite new idea this of giving opera
during the holidays; but the fact is that we
live in day of new things, time of revolu-
ton in operate as well as other matters.
"Little Patti" has made a thorough operate
revival, and the managers make use of it to
their own advantage and the delectation of the
public. 1t is very refreshing, too, this oasis in
the desert of politics. People are beginning
to be little tired of the music of the Union
destroyers, and that of the Union savers
does not seem to be particularly effective
Both sides, however, can meet upon one plat
form with regard to such artists as Patti and
Gazzaniga. With regard to the quality of
their music there can be but one opinion; and
we seriously advise those rampant agitators,
the Reverend Doctors Cheever and Beecher, to
try the effect of a little operate medicine upon
their hillary ducts. The soothing effect of
music upon the most confirmed lunatics is uni
versally acknowledged by medical men; and
who knows that Miss PATHS Zerlina, or Ma
dame Gazzaniga's Saffo, may not yet bring
about the result that the orators and publicists
are now endeavoring to compass, and actually
save the Union? In this point Of view the
Opera becomes matter of national i'm
portance, and should command the support of
all parties.