The New York herald., 1870-05-21
ANU S E M E NTs.

ACADEMY OF MUsIC--"LUCIA.--Every opers-goer
knows the true picture which Donizetti limned on
Scott's charming novel. The melodies Of .'Lucia''
are like nursery rhymes TO the OF any musician,
ana never was tragic story invested with more
heartreaching tender interest than those passion
ate measures ofthe Italian composer. Therefore, when
II was announced that our talented American prima
donna, Miss McCulloch, would essay the role OF the
hapless bride OF LammermOor, and that Signor
Lefranc, French tenor with an Italian style OF
singing, and one who has been lauded to the skies
by contemporaries wniie under Bohemian
auspices, would appear the master OF Ravens wood
public expectation was raised to high degree, and
o g00dly audience assembled within the Opera
House. Well, place arr danes. Miss McCulIoch
called upon ut short notice to undertake the
title role added TO her former successes and
when consider the disadvantages she labored
under from some OF the surroundings, her triumph
was marvellous. She sang ana Interpreted the roe
only true artist and in voice and action lett
nothing 10 he desired But the tenor. He Is evidently
unacquamted with the 1irst principles OF music, and
though nature has GIFTED him with magnificent voice
he does not know how 10 use It, dis style OF singing
Is, like that Of all VINO are not musicians, sridenL
and we might say, blatant. One can tell iInme-
diatey his of insecurity in ensembles, particu
larry by his disregard OF time. In the memorable
duo which concludes the 1rst ACT he attempted to
make sensation by rising from the DOM
nanG to the tonic above, and his voice
snapped like the broken string of violin on the
last two notes. In the next act u failed him again
in fact he Iarly bntcbered the r6te IN the most mex
cusable manner Mind, we can understand hoarse.
ness or mdspositiOn but this was neither. II was
only the result Of an attempt to force the voice.
naturally, as we said before, q magnificent
one, to sensational and inartistic effects with
out the ability 10 do An Italian like
Mario, Grisi, Mazzollni and hundred others
can be q lyric artist without knowing anything about
music, but other one cana Frenchman parlicu-
lar Carrier, OF Graus opera b0t.1e, was amentable
instance OF this tact. Altogether, we would advise
Mr. Lefranc to devote himself TO the study Of his pro.
fessiOn little before he essays such role as Ed
gar Ravenswood. Petrl sang and acted Sir Henry
Ashton IN a commendable manner, and Fossati was
an excellent Raymond. tenor named Caltaleni
asfonsnca us, In the small part OF Arthur, by his
line, resonant, sympathetic voice ana good school,
and we doubt not but that he would have made q
better Edgar than The gentleman cast for that part
By the way, Tins TUie Is one OF Brgn0lrs best;
but that artist, with characteristic courtesy,
gave way to allow Mr.. Lefianc to appear In it. We
have stated the result. The orchestra got out OF
the key III The Introduction to Lucias first cavarina,
wished TO transpOse IL without acquainting them Of
the fact. Tue main feature Of the opera was Miss
WiIo % sue wee win e g;ve nep H. r1e
matinee to-day.
FRENCH THEArRg-PLor AND PAssroN-Miss
Charlotte Leclercq achieved last evening another
brilliant triumph. The audience enraptured by her
fascinating, graceful, earnest, vigorous and thor
Oughy artistic Interpretation OF the role of Mile. dc
Fontanges showered forth necessarily rounds Of
sincere appreciation. Miss Leclercq has few
rivals on the stage. She is, In fact, the
EugisH hiSbor1 VI tne pTsseHC uay. MOL
that she Is much of the thorough tragedienne as
she suddenly awakens the interest, SYM
patliles and most heartfelt emotions by the SIN
ccrity which she imparts to her appearance. That
she has dramatic genius there question, and the
period is not lar away when her well cultivated MIS-
tr0nic talent will receive that universal acknOwl-
edgement II SO well deserves IL is a pleasure
TO, state that Miss Iecercq was most crediIably
sustained by Mr.. j. F. Cathcart in the famous char
acter Of Desmarets by Mr.. L. r. Sewell as DE Neu-
vile and by Mr.. Levick as Fouche. Mr.. Cathcart
was unexceptionable and the piece passed Off amid
deserved applause.
1t Is well TO mention that there will be perform
ance at tile French theatre to-day, owing to the
elaborate preparations which Mr. Runan Is max
Ing for the production of Dumas great drama Of
the "COrsican Brothers, production, by the
way, in which Mr. Fechter has already appeared
over 600 nights, and In which he Is said to have
qnred considerable fame. Prior To their advent at
the French Theatre both Mr.. Fechter and Miss Le-
cercq were, to more less extent deprived OF that
sterling recognition to which such distinguished
artists are always so justly entitled; but 1t Is eX
tremely gratifying TO observe that their talented
enorts have invariably been accorded at
TINS Theatre that genuine endorsement
lnseparable from scholarly and hstrOnIc merit Mr.
Kullman, the manager, has evidently ventured
great deal In bringing out the 'Corsican Brothers.,
as u was originally produced by Fechter himself at
the Tneatre Hist0rque Paris, sNever venture never
win," however, Is the motto In New York. and
should the surroundings fthe "Corsican Brothers.
to be produced on Monday next, he in accordance
with the general expectations Fechier's great con-
quest Is now af hand.