The New York herald., 1870-11-14
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.

|
encouragement here. The cause OF the dearth OF
music this season may be found In the
absence OF Q competent manager. There is
an abundance OF the other kind OF article
around, but nothing to and the progress of
art. Concerts seem to have gone the way OF all
flesh, and oratorlos have followed them. Amid this
general stagnaton In the musical world we glad
to see geam Of hope In those excellent organiza-
tions the Church Music Association 10 very unattrac-
tive and meaningless name. by the way), the Glee
and Madrgal Club and the Euterpe. Even these
are exclusive societies to extent, and require
broader views and management to deserve metro
politan name and position. The main topic In the
musical world IS the establishment OF Italian opera
here on the scale OF the opera houses OF Europe Ihe
difficulties the way are enormous but not lnsupcr-
able Nv Italian opera we do not mean those wretched
essays which for years past have brought the lyric
drama into dlscredll. To make 1t merely the We.
nlcle for exhibiting single Drtrno donna or tenor
with fourhrate artists lager beer saloon registering
chorus and an lily supplied orchestra as support"
| does not mend matters In the least To organize
Italian opera the European standard requires the
removal OF certain obstacles and the aid OF certain
| hitherto unknown materials There must be first
class company OF leading artists that the charms
Of the p1tn1d donna voice will not be dispeled
by the wheeZy cadences OF o broken down tenor
or tho cracked voice OF an antiquated Dasso One
prt'nd donna or tenor make an Italian opera COM
pany. In the second place. there must be large
well selected ana tractable cnorus-an institution
so far unknown in the annals Of the Academy. The
most difficult matter is IN the orchestra present
the majority OF orchestral players in this city are
controlled Dy close monopoly wrongfully called
the Musical Protective Union. According the rules
OF this organization no member can play in an
chestra with q member, and the pernicIous sys-
tenn OF substitutes Is egaliZed. To appreciate the
.yils OF the former rule we can mention
fact In connection with the late season
OF English opera at Nlbo's The regular orchestra
OF that theatre does not belong the Musical Pro.
tectve union, having seeded from 1t since its out
rageous attempt to blackmail the managers few
years since. Mr.. Hess the f,npreSarto OF the Eng
lish Opera Combination, had engaged for the season
few first class instrumentalists, unfortunately,
however, members or the above mentioned society.
During the season at Niblo's these obliged
to remain idle, or pick up scanty living by playing
at balls and parties because they dare not sit in the
same orchestra with musicians who would not
be controlled by this Musical Protective Union.
There are hundreds OF other instances, but
this VIII suffice. Having overcome these obstacles
and organized complete company, the inapresarto
must next be guaranteed sufficient subscription
in advance from the stockholders OF the Academy
and other leading capitalists to enable him to enter
the field fully equipped. Besides this, advanced
prices OF admission necessary; for Italian opera
willing 10 pay for it, Two dollars for seat cannot be |
expected ed,o TO reimburse , manager, :, when
too much In London, wnere the expenses
are not half so great. Our public want
all necessary expenses; but 1t must be presented to
them III It's entirely. communication with Europe
Persuade the people Of this city that prna Gos9
alone IS necessary for lyric company In fine, the
anaaep papd an pny Of eaa to % hack n g9Sa
cannot expect to pay for game supper at bel !
e ree ns as eaIp e porh and beans
the same terms as he docs burlescue or pantomlme.
The dramatic bnl of fare Tor this week Is singu-
| larry rich III novelty and variety. half dozen
| changes Of bill are announced.
The sole musical feature OF the week is the pro.
ducton for the first time at the Grand Opera House
OF Onenbach's opera, lies Brigands," for which
vast preparations have been made Miles Perslni
and Montaland are In the principle roles and every
thing that superb mounting and appointments can |
do to make the opera success has not been neg
and gave much promise FOR the performance to- |
night The cast is very strong ana the music bril- |
The weeks bill at wallack,s is sngularly attrac-
tive. "The Road TO RUM win be brought out to-
night for the first time in seven years, with the
strength the company In the distribution OF char
acters. John Bu,n "The Rivalsn and "The Sc
rious Family'' will alternate with 1.-The Road to
A romantic Irish drama by the irrepressible Bou-
cicault, called .lhe The. Rapparee," win be produced
strength, comprising such artists as Mrs. Clara |
Jennings, Miss & Virginia Buchanan. and Messrs.
tonal and interesting. The scene is laid on
the time the Irish French army Of James IL surren
dered to the AngloDutch troops OF William OF
ror Of the wiiamites. Their leader Roderick
O'Malley (Mr. Mayol Is in love with Grace OHara
nanght as lMr Fitzgefaidl rival appears in the the
person Of Unck McMurragh (Mr. shewelD. the
ne % ne Of e Villain
and the union OF the lovers. There are three par
ticnlarly strong scenes In the play1the ..pufing
caused by the rising OF the tide in the honeycombed
caverns by the sea; thrilling nre effect following
the death, Ia .ICorsicen Brothers.
The many patrons OF the Fifth Avenue theatre will
learn with regret that this is the last week OF the
reigning fav0rite or this season, 'Man ana Wife,"
seventy nights run for all opening piece, when |
reflect on The store Of untouched wealth in Mr..
Days repertoire Is indeed encouraging The story
Is probably one OF Wike Collins best and the drama
brings out all Its strong points.
Miss Lima Edwin, in accordance with her desire |
to furnish her patrons with novelties Of the best
kind announces the first production In this city OF
Craven's comedy OF .'Btllards,n In which Letting
well VIII play his original character of sam sample.
There Is no doubt that the day OF tragedy MURDER Sc
the American stage, and pleasant comedies ustra-
tive OF every day e are now eagerly sought after by
Ii Its scene laid here. 1t is the old story Of
the Industrious and Idle youth told in pleasant
manner and adapted to the present day. 'R0meo |
Jaliier jenkins still remains on the bill.
Mrs. Lander plays au adaptation OF Legouve's |
"Cnarotte COrday' at the Fourteenth Street |
theatre tonight, III which she will sing the "Mar-
sealse." Such play Is eminently appropriate at |
the present day, when the French nation are bat |
tling in nobler and hoier cause than that which
counted Marat and RoDespierre as Its leaders. This
eminent actress has not met with the encourage |
ment that her talents demand, and the patronage
OF the public has been rather limited. Management
has great deal to do with bringing around such u
state or affairs.
ON to-morrofy week Mr. Jefferson viii reach the
hundredth night OF MS matchless performance OF
Rip Van Winkie at Booths How lar he purposes to
continue 1t beyond that date s q matter known to
HIM and the management alone. 1t Is u marvellous
triumph Of art.
"Wee Willie Winkier seems to be the tide in the
affairs OF the Olympic which promises to lead to for
tune. With the prince Of clowns and comedians