The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-10-18
Academy or Music.
FIRST NIGHT OF THh OPERA erAsON.

The hrst Of the managerial benedts which hangs the
promise Of our operate winter season. took place last
night under the most favorable auspices The house
thronged to OVERCOMING the inducement alluded 70,
bned with tho powerful attraction Of the "alo in Mas
chera," having overpowered all affected scruples con-
nected with that pet phrase much in vogue just now
"the hardness Of the times.n
Verdi's charming work was first produced here In Feb
ruary last by tho associated artists The original cast
was composed Of Madame Colson Miss Hinkey Miss Phil
lips, and signors Brigno Tcrri, Colet and Dubreul
It's success, like that Of all works Of standard merit
progressive rather than immediate. Differing from
the later compositions Of Verdi in Ito finer
shades Of colorng, its more perfect finish and its
freedom from noisy effects, each succeeding representa-
ton only served to confirm in the favor OF the public
II Is but fair to add that small share Of It's popularity
was owing to tho careful preparation which received
under the direction Of Sgnor Muzo the nephew Of the
illustrious composer The circumstances under which
the work was reproduced last night were, II
possible, still more favorable to its effective
representation. Whilst In Miss Huxley and Brgnoli we
had two Of the principal artists OF the original cast there
substituted in the present one for Madame Colson
Miss Kellogg, and for signor Ferri, signor Mancus-
both, SO far a. quality Of voice 10 concerned marked
improvements. IN the manner in which ahe sustained
tho role Of Aalia Miss Kellogg showed that the interval
Of repcse from her stage abors that she has enjoyed
since last has been Of tho greatest advantage to
her. both us regards the rest which it has given her
voice and the further opportunities Of study which she
required Mary little faults In her method that were
fore noticeable have been either entirely corrected
have been modified that they longer to be
garded In the light Of blemishes. All this she
the udcious training Of Muzio, who has made Of her
singer Of whom the American public may well feel proud
She has acquired more feeling. with increased
strength Of voice. In the trio Of the second act,
and again in the grand aria in the duo with
Brgnoii, her notes seemed to straight from the
heart In tho beautiful romanza In tho third act
which Madame Colson cuts, she produced great i'm.
preston by the sentiment the business OF and the
grace with which it delivered In word she has
gained immensely since last spring. and bids fair to main
tain her position the leading of the We have
but advice TO give her. and that is not be persuad
cd into vcnturng too frequently those grand roles which
try severely and often break down tho young
singer. When she has fully developed her. physical
strength viii be time enough for her to take liberties
with II.
OF tho now baritone, Sgnor 4ancusi, we are glad to
be able to speak in equally favorable TERMS He has
voice Of excellent quality-sympathetc and Of pure
tintrs. The high notes do not appear TO be of the
Same strength as those OF tho middle register be-
cause he sings too much in the throat; but when
he warns up this defect disappears. Young and gifted
with good personal for the stage his
in this country and in Cuba cannot fail to be successful
In his recent concert tour with the associated
artists hc made himself appreciated by tho qnnlity Of his
voice and the correctness and purity Of his method In
the In the first act Of the opera, and in the
grand aria Of the third 10 displayed all tho Of
his school, and but for feeling Of nervousness, which
he could not entirely master ho would have produced
still better impression.
Hnkloy was, as usual, charming In the Page, role
have been written for her. She gave the music Of the
part dclicously, and carried away large share OF
the honors Of the evening" Brignol too, put
forth all his powers this occasion. In
tho quin cite in the second act III shezo cd oa he
sang with all tho aunness and nonchaance that proper
y belong TO the part lis share OF the duo In the second
act also finely given phrases Of the adacio
being sung with great feeling and dccacy OF Madame
stakosch have only TO say that though she could
replace Mis- Phillips in etmaton she yet acquitted
herself most crcdaky
On the whole, the opera admirably sustained and
the impression which it left could not fail to inspire re-
grc:s that shall have few opportunities Of seeing
repeated with tho Fame cast. On Saturday it vii! be
given In Brooklyn, ard, by notice distributed in the
Academy last evening, learn that 1t viii BIO played
again in New York Monday, tho necessity r. further
preparation having compelled the pcstponcmcpt OF tho
production Of the opera "Bcy" and 1es Noccs do
Jennttc to Monday week. October 49, tho return OF
tho com; any from Philadelphia.