New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-04-08
ACADEMY OF MUSIC.
The Ems. Days OF Po,npeii.


the most startling event 10 human history. 1t is out
Of the range of epic grandeun and terrorB; war,
pes Hence, and famine all cheap common.places
in comrarison with the arcb-horror Of the fate OF
the ancient city, overwhelmed in the beliish vomi'
of Vesuvus, and lis grace. pride, and glory extin'
guished in a moment; and then exhumed alter an
interment OF two thousand years.
The lively talent of Mr.. Bulwer has taken Pom
peii for The scepe of novel. II he has failed 70
yit,ze bis characters, he las msde story OF GER
tain merit owing to the romance OF the time and
place. Op this tale Signor ErriSo Petrelia OF Ma
ples has constructed four-act Grand Opera Ine
composer is a new name, but not young man.
Some sixty winters have passed over bis head: why
no has not been before the public sooner, does not
appear.
All bis musico-academic work is artistic and intel
lectual. He evinces complete training in lyrical
rhetoric, and In the Of the voices and insir-
mens. Tie plot he hAs selected to treat tends all to
word trapedy--boih in the classic nature OF the
cSsracte aud their serious looks and statements;
ard vet there ia no tragedyfor tie death Of Nidia
IA rather n sad incident than element OF the work.
7, might have been put Off and harm done to the
business generally. We have accordingly, much
tragic nu,ic, but leading u happy conclusion;-
that is tho lovers are finally set hight aud, as the
children cay, live in peace aud die IN Greece. We
therefore eArerience u certain disappointment at the
deuouemen. It would be highly gratifying to have
all the people on tho stage killed.
In regard to the music. there two main things
necessary for the opera first ideas which are clear
ent and memorable, and the setting OF the mel
odic diamonds. We never venture an opinion on
the premise Of enduring popularity us TO melodiesi
,ba. can only be detes,|( cd by tie public and by
time. But 90 regards ,lie function of the artist,
ara prepared to state that this composer has disn
puish.d himself by bis constant and CONSCIENTIOUS
efforts to give rich colorng TO hisorchestTa work and
10 tho form Of bis pieces. We have, accordingly,
the modern resources OF the or estra III great sonor-
ity and dramatic emphasis, and regard for the ba-
sinners Of the scene In connection with the music.
The plot Of tho piece can he readily understood
from tho following Argument, contained in the pub
lisled libretto:
The plot and principal " this Lyric Drama have
besu borrowed BY Nurzi tom bulweTs weFknown novel
rosee Fay psn 0sg- and Hish PRIEST Of Isis aiming
al Lone, love- plots divert br fon Diauco young aud
nob~ AtLen.su she ~ Nv, cnd who enisftsns
for vivid pssson. auoo ts,piea oy the vif'uoa:
Of tus UnwOFthy pleasures
eInlratiors OF which he formerly had been 50 foad
1yh tIrst InIopEh Que o. '' devoted followers tho
tsve nk-eyer Bufbo obtains pltrf ho@ witch, aud IN
ouces R,da slave bOugBt by uSnco AID scrrty IN love
with sda ter 20 lones lover the iat4l beverage
Glance ON taking becomes d ions and on injecting lone
add e...s her brataly ATbscrs uiuGptsny mh<es his
eoy.t,J Love feel he unwoh, u her c. oce aud advises
h-I 10 Pasc- ard oonut 1nrTe ia. Ofsce Of the
Goddess ss about hsrisie srd the srie 'fher heart
loo yield TO Arosse'' te,enr'ors sus.s'sHi visits hi'
nsAing viapous attempt to ooi'in Ee love- she seeks
refuge by tho statue Of NE Ooddess Aoee 10 soo.t 70
cary me nquit1Gs de'he "tn sud ienJ nanco who
has Dy Ndl Of tis DANCE II bis
belOvei rushe. into he ."upe etd calm, lone nom tue
Iii fres The Ouda'ioe, hgS t''n e@hs iota bis pfis
ana aco.es Giseo Deiofe thcm oi Lays ore attempted
TO Io lone lie Lef With tr.th rather than con-
sent becoming Uhueos ihe ibaihSnt o'ef seens
Jous's life In prii liepiass miei wita Tue dssser ia
bis heud upon the tfHor AfDaccf thr priests 'hndder a.
the Gas es,oas ostLat o. e JesOas lover aud eosieHn
tisSeo taEsn to Ii. AbsLih-ot,r, hat Nlda who be-
come. sb,rued Ina asGas eo Of ssl be.oved GiAueo
r.vssl the crimes Of Ab,ors atS bis usuious
sp,rscy asinst Iore the Roman 1s0s 1he people OF
e rsmp IN, H. paprl.tni "a tsf oftis ioas Mage
Az that moment the -aTth rviusns ursh-r TO support
omen. under the .o.d cy Of PompsL The teeS
inhHbitsbis rush 10 the "a for friog;
his faithful Jons. w4o sweefs 70 sEsIe bis tate lhey
both ~ from che cdy cndsoIs 20 MI ssle IN some yes
81. which may tGs -'-1 TO thrr ,s.tst tesce Nida Te
fuses follow thsn being s,eu The OF her refusal
conesse Ler oye fS oIauco AL throws hise into the
Mesuwhe Nr.u,a' pours forth torrents Of Burning lava
~ntu. lty oil IOmp cUnors and ~ Size inas VI thAt
awful rain ADD dsoai!ou, TIE Two ioyen enbakng
Tor hal p,r isnos, she elstsin is.s
The heroine, lone, was performed by Madame
Medor. She a,splayed all her customary energy,
and moreover, more vocal hexiiiiy than IN her
previous cffofts. The slave Eidia inirusled to
Mile. Sulzer, who gave much pleasure by her de-
lincation. The high priest WA acted ana sung by
SIgnor Dellinl in commanding sIyh. The tavern
keeper, Burbo, Answering 70 toe "gentlemanlike
proprietor' of modern tIues, brorght out the Won
derful vocal training of Signor Biacbi OF SgnOr
Mazzon il may be truly affirmed that be never
more oistinyushed hinisef than he did in bis mode
of rendering The part Of Glauco. We may partica-
larly instance the scene where he is supposed to be
under the influence Of the wllchs GecOction.
The musc which made the most impression on the
house, was the large we'll emphasized finale to the
third act. The duet between the high priest and
the soprano, received the next beat applause. The
Academy audience are not distinguished for fervor,
but on Monday night, marked cordially was be-
slowed ut certain points Of the work. and the singers
were loudly called before tho curtain.
There is some classic addition to the scenery
painting after Pompe's Modes-which added 10
the romantic interest OF the work.
There were some additions to the ordinary stage
forces: band behind the scenes, and some ballet
dancers ' -''.-
From the manner 10 which the opera was received
by magnificent audience, we should judge that its
oroa rAvi,v In assunod and tina lbarsl Anarnrisa of