The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-08-23

the nantes, hats and b0nnets to be worn this
autumn. Perhaps, as visits to watering
places are not unfrequently followed by we'd
dings, it may seem at Saratoga, Long Branch
and Newport that the most important as well
as the most startling item of news in this letter
is that the fashionable color at the court parties
at Fontainebleau, and seven at weddings" is
black!
The Coming Musical and Theatrical season.
The full account which we published on
Thursday of the preparations for the regular
musical and dramatic season about to open in
this city showed how extraordinarily brilliant
the season promises to be. Since that account
appeared with its minute details of what is to be
expected at twenty-four places of public amuse-
ment in New York and Brooklyn, two impor-
tant additional announcements have been
made. The Academy of Music has been leased
for the fall and winter by Mr.. Mapleson, of
''Her Majestys, in London, and Pixies Opera
House has been leased by Mr.. Bateman.
The energy and ability of Mr.. Mapleson were
thoroughly tested and proved during the Lon
don season of 1868. After his old house had
been burned to the ground Mr. Mapleson had
to seek for new one, to provide music,
scenery, costumes, decorations and all for
more than twenty works, and to convince the
public that Drury Lane theatre, which he fitted
up at no triaing expense, would answer the
purposes of Italian opera as well as his ancient
building. He resolutely overcame every
obstacle, and, seconded by his indie
fatigable musical director, Signor Arditi,
brought out, within the short space
of two months, no less than fifteen
works:-''L ucrezia," ''Semiramide," ''The
Barbiere," ''The Traviata," ''The Trova-
tore" 'Linda," "Don Giovanni" ''Figaro,"
''RigoIetto, ''Fidelio, ''Norma, ''The Gazza
Ladra," ''The Huguenots," ''The Nozze di
Figaro" and MARTHA" These operas were
represented by Miles. Tietjens and Sinico;
Mines. Demeric-Lablache and Trebelli- Bettini;
Signors Bettini, Gassier and Foil; Herr Rok-
tansky, Messrs. Santley, G. Lyall and other
members of his troop at ''Her Majestys."
Among the principal triumphs which rendered
the season memorably successful it must suffice
to allude to Mile. Tietens' impersonation in
''Medea' ofthe heroine, attesting the undeniable
supremacy of the great lyric tragedienne in
the loftier walks of the operate drama Mile.
Christine Missions representations of Elvira, in
''Don Giovanni, and of Margaret, in ''Faust,"
and the other characters in which the new
Swedish Nightingale" took musical London
fo nd EoI1o
sonations of Ninetta, in 'La Gazza Ladra, and
Maria, in LA Figlia di Regimento," and the
rest of the characters successfully sustained
by our New York favorite.
Mr.. Mapleson, it is said, will bring to this
city several of the most distinguished mem
bers of his troupe, among them Mademoselle
Tietjens, Miss Kellogg, Mademoiselle Sinico,
Signor Butterini, who has fine voice, and
Mr.. Santley, the only living baritone singer
who is entitled to comparison with Ronconi in
Lumley, who is already in New York, the
sister of the London snapres0ri0, may be en-
gagged as an assistant contralto by Mr.. Maple
son. If Mr.. Mapleson does not rely too much
on few bright particular 6 stars" if he takes
care that his principal singers be properly sup
ported and, especially, if he wisely shuns, in
his relations with the one hundred and ninety
nine and a half stockholders of the Academy,
the perls which have proved fatal to so many
managers, we may hope that he will revive
with eclot the fallen fortunes of Italian opera
in New York. The Academy of Music in
Brooklyn will doubtless open its doors on GER
tain nights during the season to Mr.. Maple
sons company.
But whatever may be the fate of Italian
opera during the next regular season in New
York, op6ru 5ou6e will unquestionably retain
the hold upon the public favor which, thanks
to ''La Grande Duchesse' and ia Barbe
Bleue," to Mile. Tostce, to Mile. Irma and to
NJ. Aujac. Mr.. Bateman has firmly secured for
it. Whether at Niblo's Garden or at Pixies
superb Opera House, and whatever the mystic
rious projects of Mr.. Bateman may keep in re-
serve for the surprise and delight of the public,
0perd bouf6 seems likely to remain ''an nsti-
tuition" Mr.. Grau intends to lend his aid to
its perpetuaton at his beautifully renovated
French theatre. English opera boute will
follow the lead of French opera boufe, under
the guidance of the Sisters Worrell, at the New
York theatre, the Sisters Gallon, at Woods
museum and theatre, and the minstrels Of
Kelly and Leon.
With Italian opera and op6rd bou6e, both
French and English; with the charming con-
certs Of Thomas to be continued at the Central
Park Garden until winter and then to be sue
ceeded by symphony soirGes at Steinway Hall,
and with the English Opera Troupe of Miss
Richings, we shall have TO complain of no lack
of music.
With the Legitimate drama at Booths new
and splendid theatre, at Walacks and at the
Stadt theatre; with such attractive varieties
as only John Brougham can supply in his