The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-01-11


sung for the Grst time at the Academy last evening This
version vas rst performed her Msjesiys theatre 10
February 1867 and again revived in July OF the
year We give below tho original distributor with thai
Of last night
Charuae, London. Ner York.
airline ....... Picooiomini ..... .Piccoi, ,ai.
Tbaddeus.. .Guigini.. .Rrisno..
Count Arnbem. .. Beiietu- .......... iorenza
Devilshoef ....... .vialeu. 49,. Coleti.
Queen of the Gipsies. .Sannier*....... Ghion
ssung in July by AlDoni.
Tie opera was originally produced in London, at Drury
lane, in 1913 ZEN the mmorl Bum WAS the manager.
To his Glorious pen are indebted for the absurd H.
bretto such nonsense that which the tenor sings
to The soprano telling that she will remember him under
circumstance when she would be likely smile at
the recollection Of the awkwardncss OF bis But
the very remarkable plot which, though absurd in the
extreme, is not Ineffective nor badly constructed
in parts, and the taking character Of tho melodies,
written with a keener eye on the music shops than
the STAGE combined with certain degree OF poetic
interest in the stage full Of Gpses stolen children hard
hearted Austrian governors and romantic tenors NJ noble
birth and radical political sentiments have given TO tho
work hold On the public which other English opera
Of the present day has attained In the Unitcd States
the "Bchemsn Girl" has been the piece de resistance
of every English opera company Who Of our theatre
going readers recall delicious souvenirs Of Mrs.
sesuin in her remarkable vision of the astonishing mar
BILE halls, or OF seguin himself the most Gsyst Of Gp
sizes, or Of Frazer's B fiat, when he had ones
After the Seguins q delugo Of Bohemian girls
quite an erdss du riches In that way brt tie lust Gre
dable attempt at the performance Of TINS opera ia Fog
fish was by the Pyne and Harrison company Since which
time there have been assassnatons Of by
rous evil disposed persons whom will further par
ticuiaI zc for obvious reasons.
In preparing the Italian version the composer did not
exert himself in which would DO liable to endap
ger Lis health. In fact he did hardly anything at ALL
When Abobi consented to sng the Gypsy Queen Il was
pected that he would write something for her; bat he
failed to do go. sigDor Muzio, however, who has
perinteuded the production OF the opera here,
and who last night occupied the conductors
throne with his usual grace and aplonb, has written
overture several choice norcea1 including
for the tenor, and air for the Gypsy Queen He
also arranged the dialogue in the form Of reoative in
which it ID not quite so absurd as in English and ike
wse wrote Instrumentation, including ballet music
throughout Under tho skful hand of tho young con-
poser the work Of the I'D has made
like opera Previously it was collection of ballads
loosely connected together Now il is closer more com
pact, md consequently much better.
AS for the performance of last night there was in the
FIRST place crowded house. which, under ordinary
cuInsances guarantee of success for work 20 well
of the atmosphere, TO mild expression had
coosesng effect upon the house, which continued
through the first act In the second Ghion drew the first
blood, and go for her air (new), which
carefully and we'll executed The familiar song
Dreamed that l Dwot," was given by PccoOmini
with charming esprit, and for the inevitable encore
she repeated ii in English. The effect was ire
sistiby stirring, aud brought down the house
in storm Of applause. Some Of the habita6s
looked shocked but the majority distinctly against
them In the succeeding duet with the tenor Pccolomni
had music which is especially suited to tho sympathetic
quality of her voice, and she gave admirably. The
role is OF that seroComic order which affords the finest
opportunity for admirable actress Piccolomin
denably is, while its vocal requirements very
exactng She delineated ts varying phascsthe tender
passion for the interesting Thaadeus, the enjoyment
the discontinue OF the Queen, the Bohemian widness
when leading the Gpsy festivities, and the serious cpl
sode that folows-wh the finest artistic perception and
the neaest execution. Next to Zerlna and Susannah
Airline must be set down Nile Pccoomnis fines. role
Brigno made his debut in the metropolis after too long
absence under the most unfavorabe circumstances,
having only recently recovered from severe illness
which prevented him from attending the rehcarsals Of
opera which altogether to him. Under the cir
cumstances he accomplished miracles, and should the
opera be repeated he will sing the tenor role it has
never been given.
GhOn and Fl0rcnza we're careful capable and artistic
as ever The chorus would be benefited by another
hearsa Muzio kept the orchestra well in hand and
ried the opera through gaanty. Altogether-and al
though the opera cannot rank for moment with the first
class works of the Italian composers-it is pleasing
work. pleaspgy sung, and will bear repetition.
The performances at the Academy for this day and
evening will include MATINEE in which Marlha will
be sung for the Arst time here in Italian and "L Serva
Padrona In tho evening the oratora Of "The Creation
will be sung, with other musical selections. All the prin-
cipal arsts-Pccoomni, Iaborde, Brguol and Formes
will sing in both performances, which given in aid OF
the funds Of the st. Georges Society," institution which
never appeals to the public in vain.