The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-05-19
A MU S E M E N rs.

THE NEW YORK MUSICAL FESrlyAI.-A festival In
pretty much the same in music revival in reii-
gion 1t comes in appropriately at the present time,
when everything in the way Of music is reduced to
the lowest ebb, and our best musical entrepreners
pecunlarily PROSTATE OF all the gentlemen
of this last mentioned class have had in this city
there is none who deserves more of the support OF the
New York public than Lafayette Harrison. He has
been for years past the soul OF OratOrio ana concert
and his short and pecuniarily disastrous season OF
opera at Pixies the best season OF Italian
opera we have been favored with for many
years, in an artistic point or view. Last night,
close following on the heels OF the " Hubites," he
easayed musical festival. Handel's sublime work,
Messiah" was the initial performance Long be-
fore the conductor, Mr.. Ritter mounted his orches-
trail ana choral throne, the hall (Stenway's) was
filed to overlooking After ALL the fact that the
oratoro of the Messiah draws the largest house in
New York above everything else theatrical or musi-
cal-and this fact is indGputable-is a cheering ndi
cation OF public taste in music in the great metrOpO
lis. The audience last night was not only large
in the most b0undless sense OF the word but il was
elegant and fashionable. The creme de la creme flor
toilets and bright sparkling faces spoke them as
SUCH were present in large numbers, each with the
score OF the OratOrio under the arm. Now word
regarding the performance. First, there WAS tho
best 0ratOro quartet for solos which know OF on
this side of the Atlantic although it must be con-
iessed that some of them were laboring under the
disadvantages OF sickness. Madame Parcpa-Rosa.
simpson, tenor and J. X. Thomas, baritone, are the
recognized leaders in Ora0riO in this city. The
Harmonic Society supplied the chorus and the
orchestra was composed Of the best musicians
this city. The ''Mcssah" is worn out subject ss
far as writing goes but we must say feW words
work to the public in proper style there must be At
least five times the number OF voices and in
struments that dny public hall theatre in
this country can convenient hold. The work
belongs tn an old school, utterly at vari-
anCe with what composers nowadays think or,
to all ages and all c,es. Still il Is colossal. and
must he treated as SUCH We have heard IL in Exeter
Hall with II chorus quadruple that which we heard
last night IL Is the hymn OF the New Testament. the
Jubilee OF regeneTated world. II appeals to every
awful mystery OF the redemption, hut the express
sion OF all nature in the belief of Re-
ception of the oratorio; now for its practical
exposition, ~ shown last night. The chorus was
went, except in one respect that the altos were TOO
weak aud were OverpOwcred by the other three
parts Mr. Simpson sang The opening recatve and
correctly and with all the expression that his pecu-
LARRY sciooled tenor voice would admit. j. Il.
Thomas was not in as good voice as we have heard
him before, owing to manifest cold, but
he deserves all praise for hs rendering Of
the quaint solo, The people that walked in dark
ness" We have never heard the beautiful "Oome
unto Him. and 81 know that my Redeemer liveth,"
sung better than last night by Madame Parcpa- Rosa.
There is limpid sweetness, ease and thorough ap-
probation Of the subject IN everything that this lady
sings which place her deseryedy at the head OF all
shall feed His nock in superb style. INC choruses
were well Sustained with the exception Of
not rehearsed and therefore failure The
unrivallcd "Halelujah" was given with spirit,
animate the breasts OF :. time honored oratorio soci-
ETY. like the Harmonic. Mr.. Ritter deserves u word
for his improvement in tempt matters; He has on
Messiah" by dragging the time, but last night he
left nothing to be desired in that respect. We would
only suggest to him more decision and command
over his orchestra and chorus. He nearly placed
some Of the soloSt1, in ono or two places, hors sc
combat by the want Of these necessary qualifications.
Tonight grand orchestral concert will be present
ed. Memberships reformation symphony" will be
given for the first time. Madame Parepa-Rosa will
be the only soOist.
FRENCH 'TEEATR..-Thc second and last week OF
the Richngs English opera Company began well yes.
erday evening, notw outstanding the most discourage
ingly nauspicious weather, with Gounod's grand
opera, "Faust." This is perhaps too decidedly
'grand opera" for even the truly excellent company
which is the present attraction at the French theatre.
Miss Richings, however. sustained the roe OF Mar
guerite and Mr. Campbell that of Mephstopheles with
spirit and success than might have been ex-
nectcd. MIR. Castle as Faust, and Mrs. Seguin a.
Sebel. justified the claim OF the former to be called
one OF the best English tenors and that OF the latter to
be called one OF the best contralto siugers OF whom
can boast. The orchestra was necessarily augmented
last evening, and with larger proportion of sringed
have done better Justice TO the difficult and superior
orchestration OF Gounod's admirable opera. The
remarked as exceptionally good and it is but fair to
say that few Italian opera companies have ex-
hi6ited finer ac. Tim than tins COMPANY ras even,
this theatre. Tomorrow "wednesday evening at
the benefit OF Mr.. Edward Seguin, 1.-THE bohemian
Girl" will be revived with increased chorus and en-
larged orchestra. martha" will be given At the
Brooklyn Academy on Thursday. "rhe Lily Of Kill
larney viii be brought ont at the French theatre
Friday evening, at the benefit OF Miss G. Rchings-
The doctor OF Alcantara is promised for the Sat
uriay matinee, and the '.Boheman Girn will be re-
peated on Saturday evening. surely this attractive
programme ought to make the week at the French
theatre particularly successful.
B.yANrs' OPERA HOrsE.-The Bryants formally
opened their new place of entertainment last even
ing under most suspicious circumstances. 1t was
lucky thought Of the brothers the first noor
Of the new wigwam, now almost completed in all
its parts, for their arena OF Fun and ollity. They
have anticipated the Sachems OF Tammany who
will not open their doors to the public tlll the ath on
July next; but long before then the place VIII have
become the resort OF thousands. nightly holding
conventions and adjourning from night 70 night Sc
lecting tickets round which oil Gotham viii
rally. The minstrel hall is most iastefuy de-
cOraed Is rOomy, easy OF access ana egress capable
or holding comfortably even such huulences as the
Bryants can bring together AZ an Times, and on the
the many beautiful minstrel halls IN our city. The
new opera House was crowded to suifocation last
evening and very many were present who could only
6y siraining their ears catch word note OF what
was going on but even outside the barriers there
the S hall. % for The msrrimeni Of those inside
was Contagious and the ''outs" laughed as
heartily as the "ins.n An opening address waa
spoken nv Mr. Dan Bryant. very witty full of teilinQ
hits and mirth provoking to an extent that would
nave left one suppose there could be hardly any,
thing 10 follow worth laughing At. The opening ~
dress was given in rhyme, OF which the following
closing lines will give good idea of the whole;--
Here we shall struggle In the public race
For yorr approval TIL we're black In the face.
Devotion off for lack Of skill atones,
And yours even 10 very bones
And tambourine; from that won't retreat
But Ia the sentiment mako both ends meet,
I'm glad W zee my old and friends Of New vork--