The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-04-08

Music I'm the Metropolis-Bright Prospecta
OF Complete Reform.
The people Of this metropolis are tied Of
going to the opera simply to look At each
others dresses. They begin to appreciate
music for its own sake and to wonder at the
singular infatuation of those provincials who
sit for long, cold evering In great barn Of
an Academy, where none but the noisiest
singers can be heard, because they think that
TO dc 50 is fashionable. Than this there could
be no greater mistake. The real fashionables
Of New York are too intelligent to submit to
be bored by operas which were trite dozen
years ago, and too wealthy to be seduced into
the Academy by a reduction in the price Of
admission. They love music; but it is too
much to expect them to listen with any pleasure
to voices that are cracked and strained and to
melodies so hackneyed that even the street
organs have discarded them for something
fresher. The time for incompetent manage
ment, fifth rate musicians and old operas has
passed. Concerts are becoming immensely
popular, and are superseding the style of per-
Torrance with which all lovers of music have
been SO disgusted We shall never have first
class Italian opera in this metropolis until
a new opera house is erected of q con-
venient and comfortable size and in ac-
cordance with those acoustic principles which
distinguish large music hall from big barn.
We hope that before another year the enter
prise and iberality of our citizens will supply
us with such building, properly fitted up and
in the charge of a worthy and artistic director.
Then, and not till then, New York will be the
musical centre of this country.
But in the meantime we have evidences on
every hand that the spring season is not to be
without its attractions for true lovers of music
The taste which the Philharmonic Society and
the Mendelssohn Union-the two leading mu-
steal associations of America-have done 80
much to create and to educate demands enjoy
ment, and means are to be provided for its
or atilcation. Many concerts will be given this
season, and most of them by artists of acknow-
lodged ability. At these concerts American.
singers and performers will be introduced, and
a constant succession Of novelties placed before
the public. Genuine music will replace the
nursery melodies and operate fripperies which
were popular some time ago, simply because
the public then despaired of hearing anything
better. Irving Hall has been secured for q
season of sacred concerts on Sunday after
moons; and, in order to give the proper effect
to this religious music, new organ has been
erected. In the summer or the early fall we
are promised a series of light, sparkling
English operas, like those to be presented at
the new French Opera Comique. II the French
theatre on Fourteenth street were completed,
as it should be, the public might speedily
enjoy this delightful programme; but for some
reason or other the erection of that edifce is
unaccountably delayed. The work upon
Steinway's new concert hall is being pushed
rapidly forward, and the new monster organ,
which is to throw that Of Boston completely
into the shade, will be ready by the time the
hall is finished. Thus we already see the
bright prospects of . complete musical reform
in this metropolis, and have every reason to
believe that New York will not be much longer
so far behind the great capitals Of Europe in
her attention 10 this department of the arts
There is every opportunity here for good
singers and performers. The patronage which
has been SO lavishly bestowed upon undeserv-
ing objects will now be reserved for the en-
couragcment of those who are really excellent
The taste of the community has remarkably
improved, and 1t only remains for our CAPT
talists 10 display their usual muniGcencc and
this city will soon become the veritable home
of the Muses..