The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-10-04

The birds eye view which we took on Thurs
day of the fall amusements in New York
revealed the surprising extent and variety OF
the musical and dramatic attractions Of the
season. No theatrical season in this metropo-
lis has ever opened with more brilliant
promises. Never before have preparations to
secure the realization Of such promises been
made on q greater scale. What used to be
called ''the show business" has developed into
one Of our principal industries, and alike in the
vast sums invested in it and in the correspond
ing profits returned by it; in the enterprise,
skill and energy displayed by it's managers,
and in its quickening influences, direct and
Indirect upon other Industries, 1t has now
attained conspicuous place among the wealth
producing and wealth distributing activities Of
New York. Ever since the Associated
Managers abandoned their futile attempt to
manage the press and confined themselves to
managing their own business they have sue
ceeded in making it more and more profitable.
They have also evinced commendable dispo-
sition to meet the demands of an improving
public taste. The spectacular vanities and
indecent nudities of the "Black Crook" and
''White Fawn" dramas have been forsaken,
and we have been ushered into transitional
period in the history Of the American stage.
Through this period, which the pomp and cir
cumstance of ''the war Of the Bouffers" will
have rendered exciting and memorable, we
may pass, cheered by the merry music Of
Olfenbach, to another period in which, it is to
be hoped, the highest forms of the legitimate
drama may again flourish, and even the Italian
Opera may revive.
Meanwhile the most ample provisions have
been made for the qualification Of the tastes
that at present rule the public mind. Grau,
the Disraeli of managers, will exhibit his
consummate strategy, and Stonewall Bateman
his indomtable pluck in the approaching cam
paign of op6r0 bomfe. This campaign will
begin tomorrow evening with the event of the
week-the Inauguration of the renovated
French theatre. Every seat has been engaged,
and as full dress is de 'Sgueur the spectators
themselves will form an imposing part of the
spectacle which they come to see. In the
splendor Of the costumes, the scenery and the
new arrangements and decorations of the
theatre, the aim has been to give an appro-.
pirate setting for the talents Of the artists and
the brilliant works of the author. 1t is manifest
that opsrd b0ufe is admirably suited to that
fondness for the burlesque which is peculiarly
characteristic Of the American mind. All our
wits and humorists, from the college president
no. "a IN fho
professors who wrote, one "The One-Horse
Shay" and another ''The Biglow Papers," and
including our Diedrich Knickerbockers, Jack
Downings, Artemus Wards, Mark Twains and
the rest, have been characterized by the same
proclivity to the burlesque. That the public
fully share it is shown by the swift and i'm
mense popularity of the opera 6ou6s. With
such admirable interpreters as those that
figure prominently in both the rival companies
at Pixies Opera House and at the French
theatre opera 6oulfe will strengthen the hold
which it already has on the public fancy. BY
the bye, Brooklynites as well as New Workers
will have as much opera 6outfe as they want ;
for Bateman promises them one soiree and o ne
matinee each week throughout the season.
The three minstrel companies which are now
in full blast in New York may well count on
the success that will accompany even their
echoes Of the drolleries Of opera 6ouGe,
although to burlesque burlesque seems to be
almost running the thing to the ground.
Ofienbach's sprightly music has unquestion-
ably considerable share in winning the popu-
lar favor accorded to opera 5ouGe;; for Amer
leans are fast becoming decidedly fond Of
music as well as of the recreation which they
can enjoy at the French theatre or at Pike 5
after day of labor and money making We
cannot expect, indeed, to have Italian Opera
this winter (unless Manager De Pol, of Terpsi-
chorean memory, should realize his latest
dream; but the Academy of Music will be en-
livened by a series Of concerts by Miss Kellogg
assisted by Nine. La Grange, Lott (not Lotta),
Susini and Peletti, q new tenor, under the
management Of Max Strakosch. In this con-
nection the suggestion naturally arises that as
Mr.. Grau, with his usual sagacity, foreseeing
that The public might at length be satiated
with too much of even q good thing, has en-
of a far higher order than opera bonfes, il
would prove great acquisition if Miss Kellogg
with the prestige Of her London successes,
should be induced to appear in comic opera.
Ole Bull will soon revisit New York with his
violin. Theodore Thomas will retire from the
Central Park Garden to winter quarters In
town. Mason, Mills, Pcase and Harry San
dcrson, will give us plenty Of the best piano
music. Steinway Hall aud Chickering Hall,
aud numerous other concert halls will attest
the musical tastes Of our community.
As a theatre going community our people
will be fully gratihed during the approaching
season. After two nights orgies at Niblos
the ssBack Crook" drama will float away in
n~Lov uotI,a ala s,,l;tksc a