The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-01-06
Opera DoaTe and Iis Representatives Ia
New York.

Opera noHAo and Iis Representatives ia
New York.
Rarely has any species of amusement created
such . revolution in this city as the introduce
ton Of cpsrd 6onf6. II came to the furnished
music-loving public as a welcome relief, just
at the time that Italian opera, oratorio and
concerts had reached the lowest ebb and their
patrons were on the lookout for a genuine
musical sensation which would either sweep
away the fragments served up to them under
the name Of opera or stimulate the managers
10 fresh excrtions. The sensation came under
the management Of Bateman In the form Of
eptro boues at the cosey little Francais, and
instantly tho public went into ecstasies over
ia Grande Duchesse" and her merry court.
They recognized In 0nsnhach's opera the union
Of sparkling music. inimitablo drollery and
unsparing expense and pains on the part Of
the management 10 leave no 6aw In the re-
presentation. 0psra oog5s became firmly
established, and, ~ Ii always the case with .
success. II brought competition into the field.
The present season opened with two carefully
selected companies at two Of the leading
theatres In the cty-the Franeais and Pixies.
Mr.. Gran n the former house, which has been
reconstructed. redecorstei and beautifed in
the most complete manner, made . genuine hit
with ''Geneyleve do Brabant," which he pro-
daced In style even surprising Its representa-
ton In Paris. He purposes replacing Il this
week with the chef doas~ Of Herve, the parent
q epsra beses, smusicAi extravaganza OF the
most ludicroas kind, entitled 'L'Eil Creve."
The music ofthis opera combines the sparkle and
champagne spirit Of oasnbach with the higher
order Of art exempliled In opsra eomique.
Bateman. afssr giving q fortnight to each Of
the works In which his company appeared be-
fore al the Francois and Niblo's, plays
strong card In the production OF onenbsch's
latest work, la Perichole." The leading ar
lists Of both companies have become favorites
with the public, and as each Of them has .
specially the rivalry between them can only be
Of friendly kind. Grau has an invincible
phalanx In Nine. Rose-Beu, Mile. Dss-
clauxas, Nile. Guerretti, . handsome and well
drilled chorus and an excellent orchestrs. The
FIRST Of these artists has proved herself IN ex.
quislte singer, such a. ID rarely heard In opera
bou66, and her acting, II not boisterously
comic, has sufficient quiet humor and fAscinat-
Ing grace about Il to recommend Il. Nile.
Desclauzas ID also genuine artist, who wins
her way by her attractive appearance, her
naive manner and swestly modulated voice.
Grau has another prima donna. Nile. Fontanel,
stili In reserve. Bstsman's strength lies In
those excellent artists Niles. Irma and Tost6e
and NM. Aujac, Lcduc, Duchesne and Lagrif-
foul. The secondary singers Of Graus troupe
and his very attractive chorus claim prece-
dence in their line, while Bateman has the ad-
vantage in the tenors. The voice of Au-
jac possesses more Of a sympathetic quality
than that Of the Francois tenor, and his
acting Is full OF fire and roIlicking humor. We
might also say that, while Carriers voice has
more spontaneity In Il, that Of Aujac has more
feeling. Regarding Irma and Tostee, they
require no words to testify 10 their wonderful
talents for opdra bou1e. What the second
lacks in voice the former supplies, and in their
peculiar rifles they are unsurpassed. Ledrc 10
simply inimitable, and In every character he
assumes he completely loses his identity. There
were many at the first representation Of la
Perichole" who failed 10 recognize Prince Paul,
Menelaus and the Sheriff Of LES Bavards" in
the decrepit old viceroy OF Peru. Whatever
the relative merits OF the artists Of both
troupes may be there is wide difference in
the houses. Thus the Francois is in conve-
nient and fashionable neighborhood and IL an
attraction in itself, while the other is In an
out Of the way place, where Il almost requires
a chart for guide.
But fresh excitement is looming up In the
field Of opera 5onf6. The very best work OF
this kind Of music has not yet been presented,
and there will be q race between the two
managers to see which win bring It out first.
1t is the opera of ''Flem de The" by Henri
Lecocq, first produced OF the Athcnee, Paris,
last April, when Mile. Irma created the lead
ing r6se, Cesarine. Both managers purpose
placing 1t on the stage; but, Of course, who
ever Is first in the field win have the advantage
One thing Is certain, the manager that brings
out "Fleur de The" in proper style will make
the hit Of the season in opSra 6oa6e The
music is delicious throughout, the plot intelli-
gible and well constructed, the characters
varied and ludicrous, and there Is plenty Of
chance for a display Of grand mise en- scene
and extraordinary costumes In II.
Bateman, however, will soon have 10 quit
his present quarters on Eighth avenue, 10
make way for Shakespeare and the new man.
agement What is he then going TO do with
his excellent troupe? Rumor hints at the
provinces being next favored by him, but the
thought should not be entertained for mo-
Broadway where the sensational, Heaven