The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-02-16


n@uvring of the day is confined to the politi-
Clans aud President makers, who are, just now,
straining every nerve and pulling every wire
that can be brought to bear upon Charleston
or Chicago. 1t is true that there is good deal
cumberland work going on in political circles,
all based upon the two absorbing questions of
the time-the almighty niger and the almighty
dollar; but their diplomatic operations, with
the usual accompaniment of chicanery and
extensions of the truth, are not more curious
than the interior workings of affairs in the
operate camp at Irving place. Ever since there
was such thing as an opera company, the man
ayers and artists have been noted for the round
about way in which they have come at and
complicated the most trivial matters. Intrigue
10 them is as grateful as incense to the olfacto-
ries of the faithful, or holy water to the brow
of the repentant sinner. They live in cliques
or coteries, and duly muster their adherents
Nnder their several banners. And at this mo.
ment, when white winged peace is supposed to
be lowering over the Academy of Music, in.
shilling her gentlest influences into the hearts
Of alt the stockholders, managers, prime dome,
2anoYi, bayitoni and bdssi, there is quite an
amusing struggle going on, and one in which
the public are more or less interested.
1t is we'll known TINT Napoleon Ullman and
Field Marshal Strakosch include in their forces
no less than three divnities in the shape of
prime dome, each of whom has her advo-
Gates and adherents among the dilettanti and
the critics of all grades So far during this
season. which has been very prosperous one,
only two Of the trio of nightingales
Patti and Madame Colson--have sung. Adei-
ma Patti, youthful, clever, and passing fair,
stimulated the jaded appetite of the public, and
was at once enthroned as popular pet. She
il novelty, and good and paying one.
Madame Colsen, who belongs to the French
rather than the Italian school of the Opera, has
her special adherents, marshalled by the ''three
hungry Frenchmen.'' The great mass of the
public knows but little of the art of music in
Its higher forms, and, believing almost implicit
~ what is told to it, has overlooked in some
degree the claims of the first of the singers at
the Academy, Madame Gazzaniga. As in the
old time there was party for Cesar and
party for Pompey, but none for Rome, so in
Irving place there was Patti party and Col
son clique, but none for the pure Italian
school the grand exposition of the great
passions through the medium of mu-
eical art. The only real representative
aud type of this school, the sole expo
nent OF the tragic lyrical drama, is Madame
Eazzaniga, who has been, during the inferno
cine difficulties among the managers, placed in
ahe cold shade of obscurity This neglect will
be remedied to some degree by the farewell
appearance of the grand artist. AS dernier
resort, and prior to a concert tour and very
fiattering engagement at New Orleans, Madame
aEazzaDiga will sing, on to morrow night, in
s'Sappho," an opera in which she will have the
Fullest opportunity to display her great powers
as lyric iragedienne to leave the metropolis
crowned with fresh laurels, and to confound
ihe three hungry Frenchmen, who are of no
great consequence, except when some of the
antique dowsgers in the Fifth avenue give
soirfe musicale, or begging concert, more pro-
perly speaking. AS Madame Gazzaniga sings
but once during the season, there should be
nnion OF all parties upon a broad and compre-
hensiye artistic platform, to make her farewell
O proper tribute to her undeniable genius
Without doubt the "Sappho" night will be aper-
Feet art ovation, and one of the most interesting
events of season which promises to achieve
ihe greatest pecuniary success On record in the
annals of the Opera in this country.
NJ.