The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-05-15

When Manager Grau brought his fresh opera
| company from Europe last winter and opened
the campaign in Chicago we sent spe-
| cial critic to the West to ascertain the
| qualities OF the artists and keep the
public informed from day to day, by tele-
graph, Of the progress of Italian Opera in
the Western cities. The project was novel, and
it excited much favorable comment, not only
| in this country, but in Europe. 1t was looked
upon as marvel Of newspaper enterprise by
| the Continental journals. Our notices were re-
produced in the musical papers of London,
Paris and Milan, with very plauditory remarks
We found the company which Grau had import
ed, as a whole, even and satisfactory. The
artists were young, their voices were fresh;
there was life in their action and no small share
Of personal beauty both in male and female
artists. They labored hard to please the pub
! lie and sang most conscentiously. We were
satisfied therefore, that there was at least one
| good opera company in the country, and we
| said so. In Gazzaniga, Boschetti, Noel Guidi,
| Ogini and Cash Pollini; in Musiani, Anastasi,
Orlandini, Milleri and Pollini, we found the
elements of an excellent troupe that never in a
single instance failed to please even the cold
audiences Of the West.
AT that time the journals of New York,
especially the Bohemians, were straining points
| to depreciate these artists, most of whom they
had never seen or heard. They gave promi-
hence to every spiteful paragraph they could
find in the Chicago press and carefully tall
czed every word that could bear an unfavorable
! Interpretation. We need hardly say that the
Chicago newspapers know nothing about any
kind of music except yelling at their political
opponents. They are undoubtedly we'll posted
on pork and grain and elevators, but they are
blissfully ignorant of Italian Opera. They
pulled the artists Unfortunately one day and
abused them the next, for reasons which,
perhaps, the state of the financial thermometer
might furnish. We need not say that it was
from the latter style Of criticism the Bohemians
took their text. The favorable notices were
overlooked; the hostile ones were seized upon
with avidity and reproduced evidence that
the Bohemians knew all about the artists
whom they had never heard sing. A pretty
fair example of Bohemian criticism.
1
about this time in putting the sham opera at
the New York Academy, where, with hardly a
single exception, there was not an artist COM
potent to render the operas produced. They
we're hackneyed and worn out. The public
| were tired of them. Whatever indulgence
they received a few years ago, when they were
new and untried, was exhausted. There is
limit to good nature, and the New York
public had reached that limit We give them
all possible credit for their forbearance. The
season gradually wore itself out and that is all
| that can he said of il.
Meantime we observe that Grau's troupe has
enjoyed an almost unpreccdentedly successful
season in Havana. They played over sixty nights
in succession, had a splendid subscription list,
amounting, We believe, to about fifty thou
sand dollars; gross receipt of over hundred
thousand, and realized, we have no doubt a
snug profit TO Manager Grau of something in
the neighborhood Of twenty thousand dollars.
This speaks well for the merit of his artists.
His company is now here. and what has been
the verdict pronounced upon the artists! We
find that they are described rs an admirable
company. No finer dramatic and lyric power
than Gazzaniga exhibits in sappho has ap-
pcared for many a day on the American stage.
Boschetti is admitted to be the "Queen of Mar
guerites' indeed. The title with which Euro
pcan critics and the European public bonored
her, and which we endorsed six months ago,
is confirmed by the whole New York press to-
day; and 30 with all the artists Of Graus troupe.
Anastasi's sweet, pure. unstraincd voice Is
duly recognized Orlandinis fresh and natural
representation Of the roles allotted to him finds
favor. Cash Pollini's Azucena IL admitted 10
be the best presented on the New York stage
a fair share Of appreciation for the
possession Of voice which, IL moi
powerful, is reliable, young, full and fresh
Thus we judge that the introduction of this new
company has been acceptable, after the old
WORKOUT one which has been for . long time
trying the patience Of opera-goer.
But we anticipate still more novelties on
the metropolitan stage. The French thea.
tire will open on the oath with Diapers
opera company, with the charming comic
work Of Mchbcrg, "The Doctor Of Alcan.
tara which had 80 brilliant q run in
Boston some time ago, and will no doubt be
very warmly received Ut lie presentation here
Then, afser . summer season Of light opera
comes the grand Ristori in September, under
the management Of the indefatigable Grau, who
we understand, intends to take the great Italian
tragedicnne all through the country. When
the Ristori season IN finished at the French the.
} atre Grau win probably give ms q spell Of
Italian Opera, with q new company selected
during this summer in Europe, retaining, pro
baby, few Of the admirable artists now at hil
command. The prospect thus far looks promis
ing for the coming time.