The New York herald., 1863-11-26
Academy OF Music.
nnt,Snn'o UuAu,r y,

The first night Of a opera Is here, "a we'll rs
abroad event Of small interest. Social arrange.
ments are made TO hinge upon IT, and social economy
also. new dress, new bonnet or a burnous are
among the associations which 1t revves In the mind OF
the rdter families. He launches out into invectves
against the whole tribe OF nddlers composers and
wishes their novelties at the bottom OF tho sea- But he
compelled all the to contribute his share the
great musical ovation and he does with an accompan
mont OF his deepest bass.
The scene presented to the eye by the Academy OF
Music last evening bore evidence TO moro than usual
amount OF expectancy, judging from than usually
careful attention externas the part OF the audience
We have rarely seen a more brilliant house Wbetbs,
influenced by the hints that have felt IL necessary to
throw out or by the Importance Of the occasion itself
remarked but fow OF those incongrutes In dress which
are frequently noticeable at the Opera Not only were
tho monde in full force, but the deni. monde in
little ro ON for criticism
The occasion Of all this excitement was the production
OF "Faust," a work of which have had occasional
gimpses In Phlharmoacs and other concerts, bat
which repre- sented here In its integrity
On ,n un HSy lot sand So rsr Of
his musical education In Italy In the commencement OF
his professional career he devoted himself altogether TO
sacred music for which he seems u have had passion
and no even entertained serious thoughts cntcrng
tho church. The work which fret brought him
into notice written for the Church OF Foreign
Missions, In Pars. II not until lsso that he com
menced writing Tor tho Opera, since when he success
svey produced "sappho" lyrical drama In three acts
"ies ChGurs dc iUyssen OF H. Ponsard Jr "Ia Nome
sangiante;' first symphony entitled "Ia Refine dcs
Apores" and two other symphonies played at the re-
unions OF the S cete des Jeuncs Artstes cantata on
the occasion OF the Queen Of Enelands visit 70 Pars
"Ls Medecin Malsr Lu' which ranks among his best
compositions, and tho work produced last night.
Considering the popularity which "Faust' IL said to
have attained cad own 10 feeling of dssppont
ment In connection with IT, Il pleasing, but II In not
. great work Its instrumental and choral effects are
carefully sndled ara crignal II 10 rich n melodious
binations; but It Ia wanting In dramatic intensity II 10
like gentle stream, the ripple OF whose falls plea
santly the ear but there the impression ends You
are carried through the i've acts OF the piece without
ing even moved 10 enthusiasm either by tho singers
the music In other words II wanting In those strong
contrasts those ecs OF light aud sbadewhich render
the works OF Verdi 30 cnduringly popular.
From what We have stated IL will be that there
was but little for the artists to produce any very
marked impression IN their respective roles. Miss Kel
ogg tho Margaret OF the evening and did her best TO
please but must csnddy that there are other
Characters in which We like her better. Mszzoenis
Faust lacked SPIRIT probably from the fact that the part
was not congenia 70 him. The Mephstophecs OF Bachi
s sang and acted throughout So far the orchestra
and chorus we're concerned there but little room for
criticism FOR 1rst performance there must be cor.
"A m decree Indulgence, and the Few shortcomings OBJ
ssrvable were of small moment.
rbe manner n which tho piece was put upon thc stage
reaacted great credit the management, Tho mis- %,
sos,S Vas really superb, aud exhibited an attention 70
detail not usually witnessed at the Opera. II The work
had ro other merit this alone would be sufficient 10 give
N certain popularity But whsp superaddcd 70 u, the
rbilc have such Inducements have dcscriosd, we
are c IN predicting ior "Fausi" run sufficient to rem
| der q n prosperous epierprKe 70 Tie management