New-York tribune., 1870-09-20
CHRISTINE NILSSON

proach OF the lovely Swedish syren, WHO nas eb ior sf
seasons the bright goddess alternately of Paris and Of
London the only who could divide with Adeins
Patti the empire OF the lyric stage. We forget how
many successive managers have from time 10 time en-
gagged her prospective operas at our uniortuna.
Academy, aud failed before she could pack her trunks
for the voyage. We hesitate TO tell how often
the mention OF her has raised 1utter O
expectation to be followed only by disappoint
ment until grew sour and skeptIca
and at the ofttod tale that "NlssOn coming only
shrugged their shoulders and shook their heads. Re
peated delays OF sharpened our mpatence aud
piqued our curiosity when Mr. Strako-oh (Ehom the
fates always TO favOrat least IN the way 0f dyer
sing) presented the fair singer last night for the hTs
time to an American audience there was such eaScrbe'
OF the people get in at the door. and such enthusiasm
in their shouts OF welcome aud spontaneous tributes oi
premeditatcd bouquets AS no other singer u"
inspired since the days OF Jenny LDd fOr
eign critics had told that Nilsson WA
almost the counterpart Of her elder countryWomal
and cOnnoIsseurs who retained something OF tie
ancient enthusiasm for Jenny Lind and had been Roget
ting for the years that we had no such voices now
a-lays came prepared TO renew the pleasures Of the
youth Common fame and photographs told us OF bel
personal grace youth, beauty, winning 7mile and lus
trous eyes jeuneSse dOree prepared TO cast ~
at her feet Musicians knew that there must De 7One
thing marvellous In the singer who had not only capt.
waited the most critical capital Of Europe but actually
stage. such as GOunOd's MEgu11te and Thomas''
Ophea and forced the unwilling Parisans, for the rs'
time in their lives TO listen 10 Don Giovanni ana INC
Magic Flute" will be easily believed. therefore, that
we do not ggerate when describe the debut OF i
night az the most important and exciting musical e'e
which has occurred in this city for 20 years.
II we may Judge from outward demonstrations, The
vast majority VI the two or three thousand people who
thronged stenwsy Hall not at all disappointed oi
their expectations When Mr.. Maretzek led the prims
donna upon the stage they saw slight and graceful
figure beautifully dressed in white, with anew sInpa
trimmings OF green leaves and white blossoms a fsif
sweet face charming smile, deep eyes, and the hgh'
golden hair which is the glory OF the Northern women
she bowed gracefully before the storm OF welcome but
with a little dlscomposure which was not unpleasant
10 see and then after few notes OF prelude rom tho
orchestra she burst into the Introductory recatiys
OF the "Angels Bright and Fair" from HandeTa
"TheOdora." For all expectations, the first tones
took us by surprise From young,so delicate, We
were not prepared for anything like the volume and
richness OF sound which the first measures displayed A
the song went on and from the stately prelude she passed
10 the ethereal Tenderness OF the touching old song
breathing out its tender and pensye strains with sch
rare purity such perfect nonaton, such incomparabls
sotness our wonder grew that in this young girl should
thus be united excellences which it has seldom been
given the greatest singers to combine in their highest
perecon-majesty, richness, power, and telicaey ke
breathing OF a gentle breeze. AS mere piece OF
vocalism the song imperfect; as an interpre-
tation OF the composer no lover OF Handel
could like IL; the phrasing not always natural.
and the sentiment exaggerated But 1t was
an admirable test Of OF the best qualities OF Nile.
Wilson's phenomenal voice, and an indication OF what
exquisite effects she must be capable of producing on
stage heartfelt inspiration less required and
great dramatic talent has better scope for ts exercise
The same Extraordinary gifts OF voice we're equally
well displayed in her second piece, the mad-scens
- Onb lin from ha AmbrOise TlOma@.
but in this she showed fully than in Han
del's song the true refinement OF her style.
the extent Of her vocal culture, and her marked
talents as an actress which the restraints u
the cOncertsage could wholly conceal We can imsrns
what an effect this must have had upon the Pas
stage with its sudden alterations OF briancy and
row, the fine pathos which overshadows every
phrase the snatches Of hafremembered themes caught
from earlier numbers OF the opera and fragments OF
simple melody such as the mad Ophelia may have suns
in happy youth. Yet there be no harm in saying
that in stenway Hall the scene is q yeU
dun one. At the opera 1t comes in the
fourth act and the preceding three such unmii-
gated dolefulness that Ophelia would come like vision
from the realms of the best If she singing nothing
better than Old Dan Tucker" Taken out OF its sOmber
setting the lacks the advantage OF contrast with
surrounding gloom, and suffers accordingly. While rs
performance may have been relished last night
by musicians capable OF apprecating the pecu
part Of the singer. it .was far less keeny
relished by the audience generally than the
Al Jors e Id from La Traviata" which closed Middle
Nssons share OF the programme IL was IN the part Oh
VOed that she her first successes both IN fars ana
in London and not but ought to call ths
aria her principal success OF last night She was recalled
OF course after itshe recalled indeed after all uer
pieces-and gave simple little ballad, singing livery
sweetly Her participation the rest OF the conce'
hmitad 70 Spinning " ncel Quftctto
from " Martha"
IL is not difficult even after single hearing TO pro
nounce upon the secret of Mile. Nissons success o0'
is young she is beautiful, she Is charming IN her
and she has one OF the most exquisitey lovely VOICES
ever given TO q woman. 1t is q voice altogether ef
ceptional Its purity is perfect its quality Is wou''
Haw its evenness, from the lowest tones OF the soP
register even TO those empyrean nights when 0d'o
Patti glores in scaling, has parallel within our
isence There is not harsh. shrill nor husn
note in It's whole range. All is exquisitey sweet A.
fresh and beautiful the singers own face Her lt'n'
itons from the upper TO the lower register are ho'
perfectly managed, and a mere vocalist 'he u w
tainy surpassed by many singers who nave 'isl'e"
country; but there can be no question inst 'no v
artist Of very high accomplishments ana aihi'S' "
tied capabilities, AL,
We must defer 70 another day more adequate notes
Of the other artists who compose Mile. NilSohs ''
pany Next % the prima donna herself the afu'' WIZ"
appearance attracted most interest last hlSh' W.
Miss Annie Louise Cary, the contrato. '
is Boston young lady, who has spent s''~
years in Europe, studying under good n..1','iS
and singing with marked success In London, NueV
she was engaged with Nilsson at the Royal lia%'
opera. She has admirable voice, iuI ''tf
round and mellow-a voice like that OF Wv .
laide Phillpps, with great deal oi ''
peculiarly sweet and touching quality which s'r'' "
belong more or less 70 all American girls VINO nave 'o