The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1868-05-05
- - 81 Czar 80 Carpenter.

VIA a-- |E--AH z-"--
L-iederkranz and Evansville 0rches-
ira combined. This musical enter
tainment deserves TO be studied, not
only under its artistical aspect, but
also under its much more important
aspect Of neral and social progress.
I do not propose to discuss the sub
ject under this latter head, but think
that a few remarks will not be IN
welcome.
Man requires amusements and re-
creation, he will not do without them.
If you want TO elevate him above de-
grading and brutalizing amus8meHts,
you must offer him some harmless, or
better still, beneficial ones. We al
think that Christian civilization
IS far superior to the Pagan civiliza-
ton of the Roman Empire, when the
multitude was looking to its masters,
not only for its bread but also for its
bloody circuses, and when the formid-
able cry of " Panem and c~ITcences I"
was SO frequently heard On the
Forum, and yet it must be owned that
we have sadly neglected the very
powerful influence Of moralIZIng
amusements. | do act know of any
that can be compared to the grand
musical dramas called operas. I'm
fortunately many things are required
to get up an opera. Whilst we can
enjoy Shakespeare In the silence Of
our rooms, an opera requires cOn
summate actors, excellent singers, a
first rate orchestra, and a competent
leader, besides heavy expenditures IN
costumes and scenery.
Thanks to the two Societies named
above, the programme has been filed,
and after almost a years labor, Ga
labor Of love by the way, for the
money goes into no individuals
pocket,) they have appeared before US.
Let US see with what success:
l will take the liberty TO criticise
freely, believing that truth is due to
the performers as well as to the pub
lie. Let US begin with the s%oIists.
Mr.. Schlesinger, as Ivanoff, person
iies a lover, and a jealous lover at
that-difhcult part, certainly. He evi-
IDENTIFY shows himself familiar with
the stage; his acting Is natural and
easy, his voice of the sympathetic or
der. very pleasant, although weak,
with i%ntonatIons not always perfectly
correct, particularly In minor modes,
but the ensemble Is extremely credit
able to the gentleman.
Mr.. Wack deserves praise for hav-
ing identified himself completely with
his part, aud he gave it a certain touch
Of elegance which very satisfactorily
rendered the French military gentle
man of the eighteenth century. NeaV-
ing, perhaps, out of sight the diplo-
matist.) Voice excellent, and well
conducted. His love song was given
with perfect taste.
The Cars part by Mr.. Shaefer was
most difficult Sovereign under the
guise of a rough ship carpenter. Mrs.
had a good deal Of the majesty Oft Gar
with perhaps too much monot0ny ID
his gestures. His fine, full voice, a
little clouded during the two first
nights and a little uncertain In the
ensembles, was excellent or the third
night, and he sang his magnificent
Aria, (31 act), with a pathos and an
amplitude truly magisterial.
II is well known that Great Britain
is not very popular on the European
continent, where its children are said
to be full Of insular pride and stiff
ness. | am inclined to believe that
the gentleman who p~ersonifed the
British Envoy, was somewhat Inhu-
enced by these continental views up
on the subject. -la
The Burgomaster Is the principal
parsonage, and Mr.. Hofrichter has
had a singular luck in finding in it a
part so well adapted to his talent. He
not only excels IN making the most
amusing faces. but he makes every
body believe, and he evidently be
lieves himself, that he is an old Dutch
BurgOmaster. With a voice naturally
insufficient and a little rough, he sus-
taIns, with honor, 4 very heavy and
difficult musical part.
Nj. DIetze. to a rare bdsso voice
adds a real scenic talent, and an ex-
ceIIent elOcutiOn. 1t Is truly to be
regretted that the Liederkranz had no
more important part to give TO this
gifted gentleman.
Criticism has to lay down It's rms
before the siren voice Of Mrs. Schles-
singer. Nature evidently intended
her for the stage, where not only her
FOICcs uut HeE Fl41dut aCLlHs' aH4
expressive and TOguIsh eye, would
have insured her a great success
By the way, was not the public a
little wary of applauseI Perhaps It
was owing partly to the plot not being
understood by the American portion
Of the audience, the Librett0 contain
ing only the translation Of the parts
sung, which was TO be regretted.
There IS many a city where cur anna
teurs would have been covered with