The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-10-05
MUSICAL ANED DRAMATIC.

s'Maritana' by the Parepa- Rosa Troupe.
English opera has had long ana severe struggle
to gain position the STAGE and its success even
now seems to be more dependent on the efforts Of
few individuals than upon any assured hold has upon
the regards of the public. Italy is the birthplace OF
the opera, and the Italian singers still maintain their
supremacy in spite of all rivalry. The Germans,
however, have built up a national opera as well as
national DRAMA and the French, if they have no
opera of their own, have at least succeeded in accli
mating the works OF the German and Italian schools,
and adopting them as their own. On the English
and American stage, however, opera in any shape
has had but precarious existence. For long time
it was looked upon as fashionable amusement, that
addressed itself exclusively to the most cultivated
classes of society, and that beyond the
range of the common run OF humanty-the people
who most literally patronized the theatres.
1t is only within comparatively
recent period that the opera has begun to be appre
cated by ordinary lovers of amusement and to be
considered in the light OF popular entertainment.
This increasing taste for music of high class has
given English opera a chance that it never has had
before. People who look at the matter from a COM
nonsense point OF view are unable to understand
why the vernacular should not be as appropriate as
any other for operate purposes, and that the dfe-
renee if any existed, between the English and TIA
liam singers, one OF culture rather than of Ian
euage Some of the finest voices on the Italian stage at
the present time are either English or American; and
it is becoming apparent that the only dicutyn main
tanning distinctive English opera is in procuring
supply Of thoroughly ytrained singers, such as are
furnished to the Italian and German stage English
opera has now obtained q lrmer foothOld than
it ever had before, and both Of the troupes now
in the field contain first-rate material The
result Of this ought TO be to stimulate
musical education and to strengthen the hands of
those who endeavorng to build up, in this coun-
| try and England, 1rst-cass musical schools, that
will compete with those of Italy, France, and Ger
rntu hoV gup paOallp
| ing out thoroughly trained singers, English opera
will have but an ephemeral existence The preju-
dice in favor of Italian singers on account Of any
intrinsic qualities OF voice or STYLE is, we are con-
| vnced, an absurdity This prejudice has been en-
couraged by a spirit Of deaatism that has ruled, to
| great extent among the patrons and managers OF
the OPERA but 1t is dying out now, and as fOndncss
for the best music is cultivated by the general pub
c more liberal view is taken OF the matter which
will do much to sustain our native singers IN their
| competition with foreign rivals
Last evening Madame Parepa-Rosa ana her troupe
| opened at the Academy of Music, to a good sized
audience in Wallace's opera OF Mariana.
This work, founded on the lively and entertaining
drama of Don Cesar d, Bazdn is full OF beautiful
melodies that fairly interpret the theme, and that
| give it a we-deserved popularity IL IS a work OF
much higher grade than Balfe's Bohemian Girl, or in
| fact than almost any OF the purely English operas
that have won their way to favor. Ii at all well
sung it is sure Of being received win laVor and the
performance last night was accordingly heartily ap-
nlauded from first to last. Madame Rosa appeared
| az .sMartana" and whatever deficiencies there may
| have been in her acting of the part were more than
compensated for 10y her singing IL is always a de-
light TO hear Madame Rosa's exquisite voice. and her
execution of the music OF her role last evening ELI
cited an enthusiastic response from the audience
Mrs Segun, who sustained the part of 'Lazario, ("
| was in excellent voice. and her singing of the
| beautiful aria in The stcOn1 tct obtained
! a hearty encore Mr.. Castle and Mr. Campbell ap-
peared in their old roles OF 'Don Caesar" and "Don
| Josep and sang and acted well as " ever have
done. Mr.. Albert Laurence who personated the
"King," is new singer, who made his first appear
| ance in this city last evening This gentleman has
fine baritone voice, and he made decidedly favor
| able impression, albeit his acting is a little awk-
! ward Among the enjoyable features OF the per-
! torrance were the harp solo, by Signor Rocco, in
the first act the violin solo in the second act by Mr..