The New York herald., 1864-12-06


hand which held the revolver been little more
nerved The intent was the same. Mr.. Alcott's
lie was saved only by the accident o. his as
sailant's uncertain aim. Judge Russell netcd
out the punishment in consoaanee with these
facts, and at the same time he gave timely
notice that in every case OF robbery broug It
before him, where de.dly weapons were used
or carried by the offender, he would deal out
the extreme measure Of the law. In this under
taking he will be sustained by the pablo.
aAd the Pubiic.
The present season of Opera has been
very successful. Manager Maretzek has made
plenty of money, and the public have been
pretty we'll satisfied. Generally speaking, the
Academy has been more crowded taan ever,
and, with some few exceptions the operas have
been admirably sung and excellently placed
upon the stage. The announcement for last
evening, however, was by no means up to the
mark. La Fglia del Regiments has been done
to death in this country, both in Italian and in
English. It's music, long ground out by barrel
organs, wearies the ear, aud there is nothing in
its scenery and costumes to delight the eye.
Under these circumstances this opera can sue
oee6only when great artists are included in
tho cast We're Madame Zucchi less splend d1y
tragic in her style and presence, or were little
Patti here to charm us with her exquisite
vocalization and delicious coque.ry, the Juror
to hear La Figla del Regmento would bs
immense. But Zucchi will not sing the role Of
Marie, and we have not Patti among us; 80
that the refusal of Massimiliani to appear as
Tonic leaves the present cast anything but
strong, either in musical or popular point
of view.
The irrepressible Faust, which is almost as
troublesome as the irrepressible negro, will be
repeated in Brooklyn this week, aad will pro-
baby be forced upon the New York public at
q matinee. The Brooklyn people would
greatly prefer La Traviata. Indeed, if that
opera could be revived in style of Partisan
splendor, with gorgeous scenery aud magnif-
cent spectacular effects we know Of few works
which would be more popular. La Traviata is
certainly familiar to tho public; but it has
always been produced here In . mean manner,
and it has not been well sung. in very long
while. Faust, on the other hand, is too con-
stantly upon Maretzek's bills. Faust, and
more Faust, and always Faust is his pro-
gramme Faust is . very good thing, but we
have had too much of it. People tire of the
best jokes when too often reiterated, and it is
quite natural that they should tire OF Faust
An impressario, like = professional humorist,
tn hn faok hat ia
the spice of life. President Lincoln under
stands this and varies his Cabinet Artemus
Ward understands it, and varies his lecture.
Artemus Ward Beecher understands it, and
varies bis sermons. Why cannot Marstzek un-
derstand it. and vary his Fausts Too much
Faust, too much Don Giovanni, and now too
much OF the stale Figlia del Regimento, CON-
bine to invite the patrons OF the Opera to stay
away. These operas will thin the houses as
decidedly a. the incendiary consniraey thinaoa
'sue nosels auu the theatres. Artistically con-
sidered, Faust is not cast 50 well this season at
the Academy as it was last. The tenor aud the
basso, who contributed greatly to its sue
cess, have left us. Perhaps 1t is better sung
now by Grau's travelling troupe, who have
made it quite familiar in the provinces. The
city people have had enough Of it, and the
country people have heard it In all their little
cities, towns and villages, and do not want to
hear it again, at second hand. For city people
aud country people both, Don Sebastian is now
the attraction, and it should be allowed to have
its run.
The "togous perdrig et Faust OF the Acade-
my bill of fare is all the more inexcusable be-
cause Of the feast of novelty aud flow of melody
which Maretzek promised us in his inaugural
message. Besides Don Sebastian, we were to
have Mreillc, and La Forza del Destino. and
the enlarged and improved Italian version of
Fra Diavolo. The fall season Is over. the win
ter season is passing away and we have Only
the first course Of the promised banquet. Don
Sebastian is superbly placed upon the stage
and equally we'll sung. and it has secured
genuine and deserved success; but il is only
the first course, after all, and when Maret-
eek tries to take il away and substitute
such empty dishes as Faust, Don Gio-
vanni and La Figlia del Regimento, every.
body feels hungry and objects. 1t seems to us
that the true managerial policy in such a case
is to run DON Sebastian until the public get
enough Of 1t, and then bring on Mireille,
La Forzs del Destino and the other novel
dishes. II Maretzek is not equal to such pro-
grapme, he has an assured success in the re-
vival Of Petralla's lone, which is really a
grand opera and will meet with grand recep-
ton, and another in La Traviata, which
even In its usual shabby dress is . wonderful
favorite with the Brooklynites. But Maretzek
is suffering with Faust on the brain, and 10
afraid Of these other operas. He forgets that
he is in New York city, and tries to manage the
sist upon selling of all their old stock before
exhibiting more than . piece or two Of new