The New York herald., 1862-04-01
The War and the Opera.


the ruins
The War and the Opera.
The first blast of the trumpet Of Mars IN
April last produced an almost magical effect
upon every department of business, every phase
of society, every kind of amusement. Manufac-
tories were at stand still; trade dropped; COM
merce took in reefs in her sails, and all sorts OF
business tottered and fell. Society stopped in
its gay whirl; the cotton and Goldfish aristocra-
ces dropped out of the ring; the Central Park
seemed like corporation desert. The Opera
was closed the impresarii, the prime donne
and the tenors took refuge in small cottages in
the country, as the rebels creep into their man
holes on the approach of Union shell, and all the
singers who had courage enough to say anything
announced their intention of leaving for Europe
by the next steamer. Even religion did not
pay; for people were too much occupied with
temporal affairs to think about spiritual; and
30 the May anniversaries were postponed; the
contribution boxes, passed around by seedy but
benevolent clergymen, were returned as empty
as the Tribunc's till, and the clergymen afore-
said-who believe that charity begins at
home-were unwillingly compelled to brush
up their old clothes for another year.
Those were very sad and gloomy times all
around. The gates of the temple of Janus few
open with crash; the God of War cried havoc
and let loose his dreadful dogs, and everything
and everybody were paralyzed, bewildered and
frightened at the unexpected crisis as Horace
caught off his guard was nearly scared to
death by a suda~~ clap of thunderfroma clear,
cloudless sky.
We have been recovering by degrees from
this unexpected collapse, and the recent Union
victories have put us all upon our feet again.
Trade, commerce, manufactures and all sorts
of business, from that of the heavy merchant to
that of the decrepit apple woman, have been re-
vivcd and increased. Society is convalescent,
and Broadway, crowded with new spring bon
nets, blooms like porterre of choice fruits and
flowers. Revivals OF religion follow close in
the wake of this social uprising, and Beecher,
Cheever, Aaron, Phillips and other abolition
orators, after several months of cruel neglect,
have been gifted at last with a new and more
radical eloquence, and treated to an unsavory
but welcome kind Of persecution. No
wonder, then, that Grau seized this
auspcious time to crown our happiness with
gem or two of opera. His short season at the
Academy has closed, and Boston is now blessed
with his festive presence but he will be sure
to come back to us before long. He managed
his late campaign here with a strategical
skill rivalling McClellan's and surprising
Beauregard's. We want him to do so again.
Not one of his troupe but felt the inspiration Of
the recent victories and the reviving influences
of the spring sunshine. Upon the principal
singers this effect of our Union triumphs was
particularly noticeable, and for the sake of the
good folks of Boston we hope that it has proved
permanent.
Brgnoli seemed to have been born again
after our victory at NewbeEn, and looked hand
somer, sang better and was more admired than
over Adonis never could surpass Brignoli in
beauty, and Brignoli has much the advantage
of Adonis in voice. Not to be eclipsed by the
favorite tenor, Madame D'Angri burst upon us
like singing Venus, restored to youth by
the fall of Fort Donelson and the bonn
bardment of Island No. TO- and looked
and sang like the granddaughter of her
former self. The exact age which she appeared
to be may be accurately stated at twenty-five
years, three months and four days, and we can
not believe her moment older, in spite of all
facts to the contrary. The sensation created
by this Venus and Adonis may be imagined,
but cannot be described. D'Angri renewed
her youth like the American eagle, dressed like
bird Of paradise, and sang like flock of
canares. Brignoli brought out his sweet, fresh
served it for just such an occasion acted as
though he had caught fire from the footlights,
and even went so far, one evening, as to witch
the world with noble horsemanship, upon q
gorgeously caparisoned steed, in style equal
to Eaton Stone or any other famous equestrian.
with delight; the haJitues Of the Opera wept
tears of joy and hailed the millennium,
and so many people shook hands with
Grau, to congratulate him upon his sac
cess, that his friends are fearful he will
meet the fate of President Harrison, who
was shaken to death in month. No doubt this
is the reason why the Opera has gone to Boston,
where the people do not shake hands when they
arc pleased, but write each other stiff, formal,
congratulatory notes instead.
For The fnture the prospect is equally bril-
liant. Maretzek prefers to WELD the baton here
rather than the sceptre in Mexico, and has with
drawn his name as candidate for the throne
of that distracted country and left the Gela
clear for Prince Macmillan, or any other
man. Maretzek therefore, has joined his forces
TO those Of Grau, and is going to Europe, with
carte blanche from Marti, of Havana, TO en-
gage artists and discover Graus royal parent
age When he returns we shall have surplus
OF operate wealth; and until that biissful time
we have all we can manage to appreciate IN
Venus D'Angri and Adonis Brignoh