New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-09-23
USIL'.
rRENcH OPERA AT the AcADEMY.

The difficult and exacting opera OF La
Julye" was an unnecessarily ambitious. not to say
what defiant selection for the first appearance OF
the new French Opera Company, last evening at the
Academy OF Music There is hardly another work IN the
entire rangeof the lyric drama which requires such com
pleenessw execution throughout. and such minute ex
actude in every detail Of musical aud scenic effect TO
make IL acceptable 10 general audience In this coun
try it has never been really popular although the person
alton OF the leading roles at the Winter Gardep In io
by two OF the finest artists We have had-Fabbri
and stge, and the pictorial splendor Of subsequent
performance at the Academy OF Music, in which. we be-
lieye Madame Coson took the principal part invested
with temporary interest and secured for IL consider
able amount OF critical attention Even in Paris It has
never enjoyed anything beyond svcces @estne. aud 10
spite Of the watchfuness OF the French over the reputa
ton OF their native composers, i Is tolerabiy GER
tain that without the superb material accessories con
trbuted by the Grand Opera at the time Of its original
production it would have rapidly fallen into the obytos
to which 80 many other Of the composers works had
been signed II is not that La Juve is destitute Of
great merits. Every musical student recognizes ia
powerts fine dramaticeeng its breadth OF design. and
its ingenuity treatment both vOcay and instrument
ally but OF the inspiration which catches and enchans
the popular sentiment, 1t has not particle 1t Is tho
work Of an adroit mechanician who sometimes
at rare intervals. rises TO the point where greas
skill in the use OF every known expedient up to tile pc
riod his writing for the moment to rival the
spontaneous achievements OF the genuine masters OF tho
art But the impression is not lasting AT the BEST
enjoys only the calm appreciation of connoisseurs aud
excepting when represented at the best 1t has hardly
single claim upon public consideration Great singers
massive choruses, and rich stage displays can make II
attractive without these. its production Is tho mos
useless experiment imaginable.
Curiosity TO witness the debut Of the new French
artists and not the announcement Of La Juive." at
traoted a considerable audience last evening. The
performance generally received with good natures
favor where indulgence required, and with generous
cordially wherever the opportunity for encouragement
and appreciation appeared There was much more II
commend than to blame in the representation al
though such for while not the Judgment o.
the house. The consequences of insufficient rehearsal
were obvious in the first act. and, TO some extent
throughout the opera. NJ. Ghele. the conductor
appears thoroughly acquainted with his duties but nc
man can keep orchestra and chorus together which
have evidently had time TO become acquainted WIZ
The principal artists also disappointed the
audience at the outset The finale OF the frat act h
generally been taken as q test Of the ability OF the
representatives OF EIeazer Rachel and the Cardinal
Neither of these produced any striking impress
sion last evening In this situation. But from the com
mencement OF the second act they steadily improved
UNTIL the close they had succeeded in winning high
opinions from those who had been at one period
prepared TO condemn them. NJ. Tabardi the first tenoi
evening To accurately describe his voice and style
would require time than at present bestow
IL sufficient say that he fairly represents the modern
French school, and represents it very we'll We doubt II
the Paris opera has better singer at present III
certainly has not better tenor voice We are com
PEELED 70 qualify this by saying that even the
best Of Paris is not much TO boast OF. NJ. Ia
bardi has the excellent qualities OF earnestness
and quick intelligence and these. with his fresh aud
m ~ all
in his important arthat Of the prison scene in
the fourth act His success gained without effort
but 1t fairly at last Madame Faye Fanschetti
in the part OF Rachel the Jewess made pleasant gene
raj impression but received no such decided demonstra
tons OF approval those which followed NJ Tabardi'
performance. Her voice is clear and fresh, and her
style fluent and expressive She lacks only the physi
cal power required to interpret a character
OF the kind TO which she assigned. VI. Tas
son, who represented the Cardinal is bass Of ample
volume and strength who, after the slight irregularities
OF the opening scene, fulfilled his difficult duty with
much taste and discretion The artists TO whom the
other important parts coDfded not
markable. Neither NJ. Girrebeuck. Leopold
Madame De yillers. the Princess.
strong enough for the requirements OF theiI
respective parts certain scenes OF which. indeed
were udiciousy suppressed. The chorus sufficient
y numerous, but have said, could be well kept
its work. The ballet fair the third act aud
very bad In the rst lts absence altogether would not
be seriously regretted
LA Juiye" will be repeated Saturday afternoon.
For tomorrow evening" Les Mousquetaires de la Refine"
is announced with Mile Euphemie Bleau the heroine
ENGLISH OPERA.
Wallace's mariana" was last evening pro-
duced by the Rosa Troupe at the French Theaer
audience large in numbers and liberal in merted
applause With the presentations OF most OF the chaTac
tiers by the ladies and gentlemen engaged in this
sentation the public have long been familiar. Nine.
Parepa Rosa the heroine alone In speaking
Of her performance. have only to repeat the old
words Of praise for her admirable singing. which
never was brilliant and elective, and Of her
acting since that appears be tender point will
say nothing Mrs. L. Seguin made her first appearance
rs Lazarlo, and was warmly welcomed ami oompii-
mented in her various vivacious usual This
evening the French Theater will be closed the company
appearing in The Bohemian Gr at the Brooklyn Acad-
envy OF Music. Tomorrow night " Mariana" Will be
peated.