The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-02-12

''rso Marriage ~. p TrEEssS,. E:, b, the FAroOa-

s'Fho Marriage ~ Flg1ro,D by the F"reV"-
Mozart and Rcssin have made Figaro immortai
Ny. apprOpriating Beaumarchais' Barber 81 SepI'N
and The Mdrriage of Figaro TO their own use. hl'
iB a species of grand artistic larceny tnat snsne
upeare furnished ample precedent for, ana Wmch we
only condemn when little men attempt 70 steal the
work OF great ones. Beaumarchais ana ms operas
would long since have been forgotten the uciInau
and Italian composers had not taken MS comic aero
and rescued him from oblivion by the inspiration Oi
their geniua AS it is "Ftgaro" is the hero OF the
0peratic stage and the only distinct dramatic char
ncter that has taken a permanent hold upon the
ront,,ar fancy Mozarts Marriage Of Figaro was
written and produced at Vienna only a rev years
after Beaumarchais work had been brought out at
Paris IL was immediate and immense succesn
from the nrst and 1t has never lost It's popularity
From first TO last it is ripple OF melody ana the
music fascinates by that airy grace that Is peculiarly
characteristic OF Mozart 1t has not the sparkle OF
RossIns Barber Of SepH but II Ia distinguished by
sualItea that rank II higher than that work In the
lIst of musical masterpieces. The great number OF
competent artists required has prevented The Mar
ysa0s Of Figaro from being gwen as frequently as its
merits deserve the public would like 70 see IL,
and Il is SUFFICIENT 70 indicate the superior character
Of the combination of artists thar Madame Rosa has
formed thar they competent to render this work
M superior style. The Italians seldom never at
sempt II, and the public have been indebted to the
Germans, as they have for many similar favors, for
the only opportunities afforded for hearing Il OF late
years Until Madame Rosa brought it out, 1t had
never been given in English, and 1t is not TOO much
10 say that il has seldom been better performed, at
least in this country, than by her troupe.
There was an immense audience in attendance at
the Academy of Music last evening, growing that
the public VIII support the opera II the managers
will only bring out in really good style works OF real
merit that have not been repeated SO often that
eyerybody.s tired OF them. Madame Rosa led the
tuneful esor by singing the role OF Susanna" only
If Su olxu ror lfuht IN ltcfa
70 this artists magnificent voice. and the pleasure
is increased when she is supported in as compe-
tent Ranner sehe was last night Madame Rosa
acted with O vivecity that was unexpected, and In
the garden scene she excited roar OF laughter by
the very amusing manner In which she referred to
the difficulties in the way of an interchange Of charac
ters between che Countess" and her mald-the one
being personated by the dminutive Miss Hersee,
and the other by the magnificent Parepa herself.
Miss Hersee was admirable as the Countess" and
by her singing and acting she confirmed the very
favorable impression she Kade when she appeared
here last fsll.
Mrs. Seguin personated the page ''Cherubino," and
earned 6a ialr share Of the honors of the evening
This charming artist is deservedly one of the
greatest fevorites in the troupe. Her voice Is much
superior to that OF any contralto now the Amer-
can stage, we perhaps except Miss Adelaide
Phillips, and she is at all times delightful actress
who is ftlly competentto give due dramatic express
sion to cny role for which she may be cast Mrs.
Seguin dressed the part last evening with the
greatest good taste and she was the very ideal Of
such mischievous good-io nothing the little
scamp 'Cherubino" is represented to be.
Mr. Campbell is not good butfo actor, and his
'F1garo" is deficient In dramatic qualities His sing
ing OF the airs entrusted to him, however and his
performance altogether, very acceptable, II not
In all respects up to the highest mark OF excellence
The roles of "Count Almaviva," doctor Bartolo," :"
''Marcellina "'Bastlio" and Antonio" were credit
ably represented by Kessrs. Laurance, Hale, Nord-
blom Seguin, and Mise Stockton; the choruses were
given in good style and the orchestra was skifuly
led by Mr.. Carl Rosa.