The New York herald., 1868-05-05

State politics.
The Past Musical Season.
The musical season of lS67-6S is now prac-
tically closed. The Richings' season of
English opera at the French theatre next week
and the grand musical festival at Steinway Hall
the following week may be considered as
belonging to the summer season. There has
not been season of music given in this city
which has been attended with such pecnniarily
disastrous consequences as the fall, winter and
spring engagements now brought to close.
First, we have seen the repeated failure of
Italian opera under Maretzek, Strakosch, Har-
rison and the "Artists' Association" at the
Academy, Pixies and Lyric Hail. Again, the
concerts have been, with some exceptions, ut
terly Improbable, and oratorios have shared
the same fate. There are many reasons to be
assigned for this state of affairs but the prin-
cipal one is the presence of counter attractions.
On the side Of talent and decency we might
mention Ristori, Janauschek, Mrs. Kemble,
Dickens and Mrs. Yelverton and on the moral
antipodes of these entertainments and in the
cause Of Satan the ''Black Crook" and
''White Fawn." Brains and legs have
old fossils of opera and concert who
have been ''trotted OUT year after year before
the suffering public. The general dulness of
business, the dearth of novelty and the narrow
minded policy of those who claim control of
musical affairs are additional reasons for the
unprecedented failures in music during the
past season. OPERA b0nfe at the French
theatre, being novelty and good one at
that, was extensively patronized, and the only
success, financially speaking, of the season.
The hard-earned experience of our musical
managers ought to convince them of the fact
that the public of the metropolis will not sub
nit to fossilized opera or concert in any shape.
The next season commences in the fall and can
only be made successful by a radical change
in the performances and artists. Let any
manager possessed of the necessary qualifca-
tions Of pluck, confidence, spirit and perse
verance produce opera, Oratorio or concert on
an entirely new basis, with an entirely new
sensation to commence upon, and there cam OF
be the slightest doubt of his success.
The Prince of Wales Visit to Ireland.
The Prince of Wales has taken his departure
from Ireland after brief but rather pleasant
visit of state to that island. During his sojourn
he was installed Knight of st. Patrick, EN-
joyed himself OH race course, displayed a
bunch of shamrock in his hat and delivered
ol,
received by the parties to whom he spoke.
Beyond these there was really nothing of
consequence. His Royal Highuess cannot
accomplish anything for the Irish of himself
and although the Irish may swear that ''Hal is
the sweetest young Prince" or "rascaliest,"
just as they interpret his character, their
opinion either way will exercise no influence
on the future of the Prince in name, fame or
During his speech at the vice-regal
ferred to the Friendship" which his great
George the Third, entertained
for Ireland eighty years before yet we
know that, notwithstanding this friendship in
the year 1929 the question of an attempt for
the ''reconquest" of the country was agi.ated
in England and formally submitted to the Duke
of Wellington, and that even to-day the bulk
of the Irish aristocracy absented themselves
from the pageant displayed in honor of the
Prince and Princess of Wales on account of
the feeling prevailing across the channel
against the Established Church. All the re-
ports go to show that the Prince was honored
by the State officials and municipalities, but
that in every instance next after came imme-
diately the people, the masses, without the
connecting link of a nobility.
The truth is, the royal visit to Ireland has
been failure, fussy, costly and inconsequen-
tial {; and we may say that the Prince of Wales
has never enjoyed a term of real, solid, unaf-
fected popularity except when in America. His
visit to the United States was managed by able
men, he was in good hands and he was received
in New York, by people,
democracy, majestic in its disinterestedness
and self-respect when according due citizen
honor to his rank and lineage.
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