New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-11-11
MUSIC.
Mr.. BRIsTow's RIP VAN wINKLE.

The production Of any opera by Oil American
composer even OF old one, Is event Of much I'm
porance such excessive rarity that onght to arouse
great deal OF public interest. But how little the people
OF NowYork for the encouragement OF native art
wa painfully evident Wednesday evening. when Mr.
BrI-tOw's pretty and graceful work was revived at
Nibos Theater after sleep almost us long as that en-
loyed by the hero OF the story When 1t was first per
formed In 1885, by the Pyne and Harrison troupe 1t was
cordially received and drew excellent houses for many
nghts During the interval that has since elapsed MI
Brstows reputation has increased he Is Acknowledged
20 he one 90 the best composers this country has
prodpced An excellent scientific musician and pleasing
melodist Yot the attendance on Wednesday evening
was meager and the interest OF the audience undo
nlably languld one cause from which Mr. BristoWs
work must suffer did not exist In 1885, since ne set
the legend " Rip Van Wrinkle" TO music, Bouccault
and Jefferson betwee them have created new dramatic
persouation OF Iryng's charming story, with which
popnar criticism viii Bt compare every other at
tempt 10 act II forth upon the stage No other Kip G'
Wink, 10 likely to he tolerated In NewYOrk while JeHer
son lives or is rememhered and though we are Tar from
saving that no other DEMONSTRATION OF the tale Is
likely 10 be accepted in place OF Boucicaulps we
DO say that the London playwrishts work
il held In considerable affection for the sake Of the exq
site actor who has identified himself with It, and that the
lIbrettO by Mr J. H. wainwright, TO which MI BristoW
has set his music would have difficulty, even were IL Tar
better than II really Is, TO overcome the popular peu-
lee In faNpF ID
Mr. Vain did hs task pretty well. The words can
BE- su,g without difficulty and not exasperatng non
zen lite the words OF most English operas. Dramati
callv bouevet the piece Ia Ineffective. The first part
Dit la written in three aos but performed In fouil foo"s
pretty closely the story OF Irving Inc seeondi occu
Med with the fortunes Of Rips children and patriotic
revolutionary scenes which supposed 10 happen dur
ing the twenty years sleep The last part returns
again 20 the original legend and the opera closes with
gerry tame and uunteresting recognition OF RIP by Ills
son and daughter There Is no climax aud the interpo
laton OF the revolutionary Incidents though necessary
for musical reasons, ID dramatic misfortune
Tho .ct,on drsss whenever ZIP Is of the
stsee IL IL unnecessary now 10 review the
music which THE TRIBUNE warmly commended fifteen
vaars ago We shall content ourselves with repeating
that 4 deeately conceived and scientifically treated
and the principal soprano, tenor and bass artists have
each some charming melodies which deserve 10 be pOpn
lar Perhaps Mr. Brisows inspirations are not In the
highest sense OF the word original but they are never
common place haokEoyed His ohoruses are generally
lively and grnoeful II not very striking. one battle
nrver Of the American soldiers Is treated In broad
and very effective manner. The gems OF the opera are
Rims sopgs The Day IL Done" charming, wellrOund
ed melody With which he drops OF into bis long slumDer
and Alone al alone" exquisite and truly pathetic
ballad IN the last act duet between Alice and EdVard
.sourano and tenor also struck particularly happy
The nstrume ntstiOn In admirable for MI BrsyoH IL
master Of the orchestra
II viii perhaps seem 10 many people that since Mrs
BERNARD has had the enterprise ~ bring out an American
opera at ALL generous critic ought to content himself
with thanking for what she has done, instead OF
weighing too carefully the merits and the faults OF the
uerforanoe But not IT al sure that the repre-
senaon OF Wednesday evening 10 one for which either
,he nublio or Mr. Bristov ought TO feel particle Of
gratitude We are certain 1T al events that what the
present English Opera Company needs from the press
not announcement, but frank and honest criticism II
Il composed OF excellent materials It is prosperous be-
yond s deserts It careless inefficient and buns
lin, IN N. last degres The cast Of RIP Van Wrinkle
consist. Of Mr. Drayton As Rip. Mrs Drsyton "A Dame
Van Wintie Mrs Bernard Alice, Mr. Castle az hdUdrd,
ind Mr. Arthur Howell Vileow We have no fault to
find With Mr. Draytons singing He has coarse con-
cepton OF tl character trsmpns oil the poetry out OF
IL with ruthless foot acting very much AZ we suppose
| tipsy Hngnenot might sct.-copying Jefferson just
enough " rsIaiud perpstusly " 11 great srts ea'