New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-01-16


The opening Of the new season Of Enelish Opers 4.
suspicious. We have TO regret that unusual presprs
excluded its earlier notice; for the performance Of
Martha on Monday evening was exceedingly credh.
able to our American company, and in parts ana
chorus would have been worthy Of any clever
foreign rival. 1t Is something to hear our Dos
always sweetspoken mother-tongue sung mellinn-
ously if we may be allowed speak with euphemism
of the satisfaction of hearing good English nationally
and agreeably pronounced in music Flotow's eclee.
tic music is as well adapted to English interpretation
as any other and the viyacity of Martha furnishes
fair, if not too exacting test. of English singing.
Hence we have pleasure from seeing how wen the
Richngs company are now able to render, not merely
the vocal form Of this favorite. but much of its
bloom and spirit-the May-day sprightliness which
js its yerdant charm to the oldest DIES opera,gosr
heroine acceptaby; her merits and defects
are alike well known TO public with
whom she has been long familiar, and who are con-
tent to regard the former with deserved Partially
on account of the excellent effort which she has made
to advance popular and native music The history
of English opera is that of long-wsndering ana
very scarce tribe whose members not to be either
brought or kept together easily; and viewing this
the patience and persistence of Miss Rchings and
her co-managers, in keeping alive the varying for
tunes of native opera, and gathering and drilling
from small and crude beginnings, respectable forca
of singers, are to be frankly commended. MIR. William
Castle and Mr. Campbell have added very largely to
the force and attraction of the company. Thoy are
Oerabe actors and the best tenor and baritone that
English opera in this country has presented us for
We have to thank the Richngs company for an
other performance OF William Vincent Wallaee's
pleasant opera Of Mariana, which owes its first
production in many years TO this company. Mariana
derives its current popularity from two Dalladsof
euph0nious but somewhat unmeaning versticatlon.
in the best sentimental style OF Balfes ballad maker,
Nj Alfred Bum. In happy moments and Scenes
that are brightest widely known songs which
represent the genius Of this opera Nothing else in
| -, t.nurn tpaftO hAy
fervid and sensuOus than the melodies OF Bafe, and
well deserve their place in favor.
Of Mariana 1t is not necessary 10 speak az great
length Suffice it to say that it IL among the earliess
works of Of the very best OF English composers.
and while it shows unmstakable genius, particularly
in melody it has also crudities and inequalities that
are equally plain. The composers taste gives TO
much In his opera that IS conventional and
wanting In pure invention the appearance OF en-
| thusiasm in his work. His cavatnas ana ensemble
pieces are not as Q rule successful; he does not
always improve his situations; nor have ms nnalea
great effect, though what Mr. Wallace was abe 20
do with music of this kind is evident IN some OF thS
concerted music of the first act The delcacy OF MI
Wallaces style an instrumentalist is shown ID hS
overture, which wants vigor and sustained idea
overture was as feeby played as many OF
the choruses were weakly sung Miss RIchlngs.
whose style as singer seems 70 Us much 700 ac-
Mariana, and .hirs Seglin sang with exceent iee-
ing the air of LasariIlo in the second act "a
q flower" was given with unusual expression by Mr.
admirable feryor by Mr. Campbell. We trust that
the managers will be induced 10 repeat the opera oes
Remarkable as musical event was the grodrc.
ton of Mozat's MGriGge o. Figaro on N, Monday
evening at the Thalia Iheater. This. JOY.
Gus opera is welcome to lovers Of music for
many other reasons beside its novelty and rarity.
Mozart never set himself more eompli-
Gated task than b tnat to o. mc ssd 5rsss
must be allowed its merits but 1T runs INTO ingenious
prolixity Yet who would have one note OF the mag-
cal score unwrttenf The Marriage OF Figaro IS any
thing but an obsolete work 1t has plenty Of chaIao-
teristic melodies which popular audience would re-
coze but back of these OF song are sources
songs; the great march and its accompanying stIu-
mentatiOn in the scene of the procession before the
Count and Countess; the delicious duet Of the Zephyr
| song in the third act-most ETHEREAL and bhoyane
music; these are but few of the mentionable beau1
ties of this extraordinary work OF the performance
much to be said in its praise as venture we can
only particularize the, genial singing OF Madame
Frederci, and especially the fine delivery OF the
we'll known solo Of the Count in the second act-a
model of musical soliloquy-by William stoTmes'
Perhaps we should add word of Mr.. Joseph Chah'
| dOn's even but Unconditional performance OF Figaro.
For therest, the singing was far, bad and indlffer-
ent. The repetition OF the opera last evening we{
| needed to enable the German company to render II
with greater credit to themselves and the composer
it was then much better performed III certain
essentials, and we are only sorry that Its audience
was so poor in point of numbers; :
On Thursday evening, French Opera win be re.
sumed at the Theatre Francois, whep, Ohenbachs
burlesaue of Oyphee dur Enters, Orpheus in Hell,
will be produced with the best force of the French
company The champagne-h umor of Oftenbach-hs
droliery and volatity-will surely be enjoyed.
Mr.. G. II. Fanhan, son of the well-known Ameri-
| can authoress is now introducing among our church
people the Calm method of instruction in C0ngTcga-
tional singing This system, which is believed to bs
the simplest yet established has received the ndorse
| ment of such composers as Rossini, David,
Offenbach and more Of eminent musicians ia
France. In series of ten free lecture lessons th9
next to be given at the NewEngland Congregational
Church Forty-frst-st, Sixth-ave.l, on Thurs
day evening Mr.. Farnbam will explain his system:
We have only TO say that are impressed with tt
merits and shall speak of it further.
concert for the benefit of the Twenty -frst1st,
Reformed Dutch Church will be given on Wednesday
evening under conduct OF Mr. Alfred Pease the welk
known pianist, who will be assisted by large NUNS
har ~ am