The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-06-07
The Future Of Music in America.

IN Is curious fact that disaster has the power
OF at once opening the eyes OF a community to
all the defects Of one who has fallen into ruin.
1t is singular how carefully the peccadiloes COM
mitted by a bankrupt are remembered and re-
called All his evil qualities are maeni6ed, as
viewed through the glasses of failure. What is
true in the case of an individual, has also proved
itself applicable so far as building is concerned
As long as the New York Academy of Music
stood, so long we're its merits dilated upon, and
comparison drawn between 1t and the Royal
Opera House Mt Berlin, to the total ignoring of
such building as the Academy in our city. In
a list, recently published in the New York
papers, of the largest opera houses in the world
ours is entirely omitted. Now, however, az fire
has destroyed that huge German gingerbread
al its defects are ackno wledged, its ruin is in.
ierpreted as Provdental interference, aid to
the Phoenix which will rise from its ashes Is
predicted splendor and perfection which will
excel all rivals.
We hope, however, in the new edi6ce the
architect and stockholders will display little
of that taste which the inspection OF our Aca-
deny would have instrlled into their minds.
If they will have crimson paper with git
flowers, InteIspersed with punches of golden
blame the critical if they do say it looks little
like "shoddy." True, it is suggestive of the
wealth which fills its walls, but it is also sug-
gestive of "Mss Kilmansegg and her golden
leg" and the penchant that lady had for an un-
seemly exhibition of her limb. We would also
recommend that the plan pursued in the old
Academy of placing " slatuette on every pro.
lection be reformed. 1t is not temple of Jug
every side; nor is it a Roman residence, with
Lares and Pehaes a. household gods; nor yet is
it to rival the cap of Louis XI, with its innu.
merable images OF saints. Neat but not gaudy
is a Recommendation. Let it be rich and massive,
resembling in architecture rather the Gothic
arch than the French Ipola
We believe that new era in the progress of
music in America is about to be opened. The
New York Academy will cali to its walls suffi.
clent foreign Importation of prime donnes
while in our own city we are rapidly taking
strides towards future when we will be inde-
pendent of the whims OF the European queens
of song. The system of amateur operas, although
ridicued and eTided when first originated by
Mr.. PERELLI, has proved so great success, that
we hope ere long 10 be released from the bond
age we are in to vocalists across the water. The
plan mas Oeen conducted III an unODruSlVe
style, which has not attracted much attention
away from our own city. Philadelphia was
never addicted to self-gloridcation. If New
York had had such troupe as has been given
to Us papers would have rung with it,
These -w.d congratuIatton and seitaoo-
ration and the whole land would have rung
with the great success of an entirely new sys-
tem As it is, PERELLI has only sought to raise
the art of music and give pleasure, careless
the vain bombast which New York loves,
The same plan is to be pursued in the future,
and we hope that II will be the germ from which
will spring a race Of American prime donnes
who will cultivate native art. We do not see
why such a scheme might not succeed, if
proper school was afforded, as was designed when
our Academy was commenced. When it is accom-
pl,shed we will have in our possession mighty
lever to advance civilization, for nothing con.
tributes more to a native refinement than fami.
liarity with music and genuine love OF the
fine arts.