The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-08-30
MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC.
Tho Onern senann.

ION IN GOunod's Faust with Mrs. Bernard and
plauame Parepa Rosa both in the field as active
ompetitors the English opera promises to assumed
prominence that 1t has held before. II English
Ppera is fIst class there is no reason why it should
AoJ De as highly regarded as any other kind Some
the most popular singers on the Italian stage are
lther American or British born, and making all due
Owances for the more musical sound of the Italian
language, we claim that it does not matter the toss
pf five cent piece whether the singers roll out
heir musical numbers in Italan, French. German or
English so long as the music itself is good
While the English opera managers appear to be
making businesslike efforts to secure the favor OF
the public, we have nothing but the most indefinite
s. rumors about what is to be done in the way of
Italian, German, or French opera. With one OF the
largest and most magnificent opera houses in the
world we have OF late years had nothing from those
who profess to take the lead in this class Of enter
tainments, but occasional brief seasons OF a week
or two, the Academy for the rest of the time being
given up to balls, lectures acrobatlC performances
and shows of all kinds. Few and far between
"a the operate performances have been, they have not
a always succeeded in attracting crowded houses,
although 1t is safe TO say that they have generally
been patronized to the full extent
4 OF their deserts. We have a large and
growing class Of educated musicians
In this city, and the general musical culture of
people is as high as i'm any other place in the
try. Concerts of all Kinds attract good audiences,
n and II opera does not always succeed, the fault
must rather be with the managers and singers than
with the public. In brief season of a fortnight
with a change Of bill every evening, it is manfesty
impossible to give operate performances with tina
perfection that an educated public have right to
expect. The popularity of single singer is too
often relied upon to artistic defects of every
description, and, with few honorable exceptions
there has scarcely been for years attempt to pu
4 a grand opera upon the stage in reasonably good
style. The Academy of Music has fine stock
a of scenery, and, with this provided for them,
the managers Of the various trOupes that appear
there to think that nothing is required of them
in the way OF appointments and the various details
which required to make an operate performance
work of art. Besides, we are treated to the same
round of pieces season in out until the
public get tired Of II I1OratOre ErRGni The Bohe-
4 milan Girl, and CrOWn Diamonds There are a mum
Der of superb works that seldom never given,
or If an attempt made produce them, it is done
in such bupgling and inartistlc manner, that the
most discriminating opera gOcrs wish that they had
been left alone. We cannot understand tnat there
is any good reason Tor this, or that
continued series OF frst-class operate
entertainments might not be given at the Academy
of Music every season, to the profit of the managers
and the satisfaction of the public. The burlesque
French operas of OhenbaCh were produced in a
style that put to shame the usual manner of render
ing the standard works of the great masters of the
musical art, and the completeness of opera bouGe
performances, at regards scenery, costumes, ap-
pointments, chorus, and orchestra, with the fine
taste shown in all the Details contributed as much
to their did the bright, sparkling music OF
Ofienbach; and the system of manage
ment ought to make grand opera one of our regular
winter amusements, as much as the dramatic per-
formances at the theatres AS for opera OOuBe,
have apparently the last of it, for the pre-
sent at least, and yet it seems pity that
such pleasant style OF entertainment should be al
lowed to fall into utter neglect. 1t is certain that
the great of the amusement-goers have fancy
for something lighter and more eXhlarating than the
ordinary operatc music, and opera 6OuDe would
seem exactly suited to ill the vacancy that exists
A theatre where pretty musical vaudevilles and
comic operas can be given that are too slight for so
large a house as the Academy would probably be a
success if it were managed with skill and discretion.
The performances of the Galton Troupe suggested
the style OF entertainment that is DESIRED and it was
hoped that the popularity OF Miss Susan Cation
would induce her to make the needed Improvements
in her company and take possession of this new ana
promising field. Miss Cation or her managers, how
ever allowed the opportunity to slip by, but between
the opera boue and the performances at the Theatre
Comque the way certainly pointed out, and 1t is
to be hoped some one will be shrewd enough to step
in and win fame and fortune.
There have been some rumors that the success OF
opera boU6e has induced the organization OF grand
opera troupe in Paris which proposes to show us
what French singers can do i'll the higher class OF
musical compositions. The appearance of such a
troupe will be interesting novelty, and it ought
to have stimulating effect on the Italians aud Ger
mans, exciting them to do better than they have
been accustomed TO do of late There does not
appear to be anything definite known with regard TO
the French troupe, however, and its rumOred advent
on these shores may be without substantial fOunda
ti0n.
At present the English singers have the operate
field to themselves, and between the two troupes
led by such popular artists as Mrs. Bernard and
Madame Rosa, there is likely TO be healthy competl
ton that will go far towards making English opera
more worthy of public patronage than it has beel
hitherto That the rivalry between the two com
panies is not exclusively artistic emulation is showl
by the extremely il-advised card which Mrs. Ber
nard has published. A private note which we have
received from her expresses the same idea in a still
stronger manner, and it seems that there is tribula
ton in the Richings camp at the prospect of an ill
trusion into what the esteemed manageress hat
probably come to consider her EXCLUSIVE
field of action by right OF pre-emption Mrs. Bernar
is certainly entitled to great praise for the energy
ability and untirng industry she has shown in he
endeavors to make English opera popular, an
although some of the leading members of her oil
company are entitled TO some credit, she will un
doubtedly carry of by right the chief honors. Sh
cannot complain that the press OF this city at leas
has not given her generous support from the yer
Inc option of her enterprise, apprecatlng the dlcu
ties she had to contend with, and considerably looR
ing at the merits of her entertainments rather tina
their defects under sincere conviction that she,
all times, and under all circumstances endeavore
to do her best. There is nothing however, liz
active competition and it was decidedly apparel
last season that, from some cause
other The Rchngs combination was d.
teroutng. It appears to have been thougl
much better that separation should tah
place, and we consequently find that four OF Tn
leading artists OF the Old Richings troupe have e