The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-11-10
MU S E NJ E N rs.

NIBLO's-"RIP VAN WNKLE.n-George Bristow's
admirable work-the only true American opera on
the boards-had nearly as long a rest as Its orig.
nal, the good-natured do-nothing OF the village OF
Falling Waters, until 1t was brought out last night
at Nblo's where 1t was heard for the first time If
teen years ago. Then the Pyne and Harrison troupe
sang 1t for eighteen nights, TO crowded houses and
1t would have had much longer run
had not Mr.. Niblo's previous engagements
obliged him reluctantly to withdraw it. The
main difficulty with Che opera. more than with
the drama, is the extreme difficulty OF getting Rip
Van Wrinkle to unite the quality OF first class actor
nas by Mrs. HENRY yuma sS aea
sang the title role to perfection His voice seemed
to have recovered all ITS pristine power And express
sion, and he threw himself into the role with q
heartiness and spirit that made the opera
q thorough success. The work. as whole,
nects honor both on the talented composer
and on America which can boast Of such a musician
The instrumentation Is particularly fine and full Of
dramatic spirit. Wheher 1t be an aria, chorus con-
certed piece or description OF taDleau the cunning
hand OF the gifted composer throws around 1t an
atmosphere breathing the spirit Of the situation
Especially In the scene on the Kaatskills, where
bowls, the Instrumentation Is dramatic in the ex-
treme. The choruses are all descriptive and taking
the battle songs Of the Contnentas In the third act
magnificent ense6le at the fall Of the Curtain NV were
enthusiastically appauded. Rips drinking song,
winch closes the inst act, Is bound to achieve
popularity equal to any mOrceau In the bohemian
Girl" Drayton sang 1t splendidly and received
rapturous encore. Mrs. Demands voice was in fine
condition, and throughout the trying music which
falls to the part OF Alice In the third she sustained
both her own high reputation and that OF the com.
poser. Mrs. DraytOn acted the part of the shrew,
Dame Van Wrinkle, admirably, but her voice was not
equal to the music, and Castles nervousness af.
1ected his voice TO such an extent that it nearly
broke down in the third act But the browning tri-
umph OF the opera was the effect produced by Dray-
ton In the last act where he returns after his
twenty years. doze to find himself forgotten by all.
The exquisite ballad "Alone, All Alone,
In This Wide World OF SorrOw,D was
given by HIM with such q mournful
expression and tenderness that tile tears started un-
hidden to the eyes Of those present. In hne there
Is not bar OF commonplace music in the opera and
much OF that which Is lasting. Mr.. BrstOw con-
Quoted the work In person, and to his magnetic in
nuence much OF the success OF the opera was due.
as the orchestra was much better than usual The
opera VIII be repeated tonight and for the rest of
the week. 1t requires considerable pruning and
more rehearsals TO remove the bitches which oc-
Cured last night
MRS. LANDER AS MARY, QUEEN OF ScoTs.-Mrs
Lander laid OFT last night the royal robes OF Eliza
beth, In which character she has been achieving
great success at the Fourteenth Street theatre To.
night she puts on the sombre attire OF the unfortu.
nate rival and victim Of the English queen aud Will
no doubt make as great sensation In the Character
OF Mary Stuart as she did in that OF Elizabeth The
play Is the original adaptation OF Mrs. Fanny
Kemble.