The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-04-13

o"annoi anu tue ueacherous torped0es strewn
at the bottom of the harbor, they make up for
the want Of bluffs. 1t is on the whole more
difficult to capture than Sebastopol which re-
CURED regular approaches, a long SIEGE and
the sacrifice OF large number of men.
If the city be found impregnable in
'front.' then large enough force, one hundred
Thousand men if necessary, ought to be sent to
take it in the rear; or it might be reduced even
in front, with sufficient number of men, by
regular approaches, taking battery after bat
terry, and landing troops aud making parallels,
80 as to reach within Smelling distance of the
forts After their capture the fall of the city
would be inevitable But the news by the
Peabody indicates the success of Dupont's and
Hunters forces. Our officers and men are in
good spirits, and our government feels san
guine of the result.
Marctxck's CrOwntng Triumph-The
Great operate Sensation.
We have heretofore compared Manager
MaretzeA to President Lincoln. Recent events
have shown that the comparison does not do
Maretzek justice. His administration began in
very much the same way'as that Of Mr. Lin
coin; but 1t has succeeded more gloriously.
Maretzek has brought to this city the best and
most complete operate troupe which has
blessed US since the days Of Malibran. With
this company he has revived several standard
operas in style unequalled since Grisi and
Mario. He has now achieved his browning
triumph by the immensely successful produc-
ton of Pstrella's new opera, "Ione or, the
Last Days of Pompeii," and his superiority over
all former managers of the Academy, from Ole
Bull to the imperturbable Grau, is universally
acknowledged. We hope to be able to give
President Lincoln equal praise before very
long; but at present Maretzek is decidedly
ahead.
In lone" the artists of Maretzek's company
appear to the best possible advantage. They
are all superb actors as we'll as excellent
seems to have been written for just such
voices as theirs, the dramatic force and
iervor Of the librettO allow their his
srionic powers the fullest SCOPE. Petrella
is new composer, and his lone" has
not yet been heard in Paris or London. Italy,
Havana and New York have the monopoly Of
this work, which ranks among the sensations of
the age. All mere technical criticism fails to
convey any adequate idea Of the beauties of
clone" The music produces the same impress
sion upon the mind as the reading of Dante's
"Inetno' or Milton's paradise Lost" It il
. singular and original combination Of celestial
melodies and Internal grandeur and sublimity.
Without at all initiating Mozart Bellini, Doni-
zetti, Verdi, Rossini, Meyerbear, or any other
maestro, ancient or modern, Petrella has con-
trived to harmonic the Italian aud German
schools, selecting the best points Of each, and
writing equally we'll for the voice and the
orchestra. The result Is masterpiece Of
genius, worthy of the progressive century in
which we live The llbretto follows Bulwer's
novel closely, preserving the strongest and best
eontrasted scenes, and thus giving to the opera
q vivid dramatic interest which Maretsek's
artists admirably depict and which makes the
work doubiy popular, since It attracts play
goers a. we'll ~ lovers Of music.
Medori and Nazzoleni sing and act the lead
is great srtists She sings like Grisi and
acts like Mrs. Siddons or Fanny Ksmble.
Mazzoleni's history Is almost q romance.
He was educated at the University at Vienna
for . lawyer and statesman. One night,
walking home from the Opera with . few fellow
students, be began to sing a romanza, which
he had just heard, and was soon stopped
by couple of operate artists, who told
him that man with such tenor voice as
his should throw logic to the dogs and 60
upon the stage. Mazxoleni took this kind
advice, and the world has gained afne artist,
aud lost, perhaps, leading statesman. In
this country MazzoIeni might be prontablY
employed in both capacities. When the
operate season is over President Lincoln should
give him a seat in the Cabinet. His notes are
far better than Chass,s legal tender. His act
ing Is equal to that Of Tslms Or Kean, and far
superior to that of Forrest or any other Disciple
Of the Black Hawk school. Supported by an
efficient company and an increased orchestra,
Medori and Mazzoleni have created q positive
Juror in lone" At every representation the
Academy is crowded to its utmost capacity,
and the display Of toilettes is unsurpassed by
before the curtain two or three times at the
end of each act, and the applause is OF once
appreciative and enthusiastic It Is rumored
that Maretzek will give no more opera after
this week, and that Medori is about to return to
Belgium; but we hope that these reports are
unfoss uded. " lone" would draw large houses
for m0nts at least.
From the Consideration Of this sub.
ject we deduce, for President Lincoin3s
guidance, the practical lesson that the Ameri.
can people know how to appreciate good
thing. Maretzehs administration of the opera
has been great triumph because he has de-
served success LeA the President administer