The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-06-01

of Miss Clara Louise Kellogg, who never sang
or acted better before, the company was the
worst that could be, under any circumstances,
presented to the metropolitan public. Every
one focked to the Academy, and bore patiently
the apathy of the tenor, the amateurshness
of the contralto, the utter want of time or
tune on the part of the numerous bartones
and basses, the chaotic condition of the
chorus and the deafening discord of the
orchestra. Dilettanh grouped together
in the foyer and wondered at the
unaccountable 6onhomie of the public,
when butchery of the score, worse than that
of the Communists in Paris, was racking every
musical ear. The boxes and circles, however,
were crowded every night, and the occupants,
fair and otherwise, tried to forget the slaughter
going on behind the footlights by criticising
each others toilets and indulging in that omi-
nous occupation, quiet chat We believe
that to-day not dozen of the subscribers of
the last season of Italian opera know who
sang or would ever recognize again any mem
Der of the company, except the ever-popular
and reliable artistic, Kellogg.
Now, the experience of this season is impor-
tant to managers, and should be carefully
studied by them. The New York public for
years past have been actually hungering after
opera, and they rushed to the Academy when
Abilities announced the longed-for musical
repast. Italian opera is an actual necessity
to this city, and the manager who will present
it in any kind of decent style need not
fear that his efforts will not receive due
appreciation. Mile. Christine Nilsson is, we
believe, the next prima donna who will essay
Italian opera at the Academy of Music. She
has high reputation, and will probably gain
greater laurels on the operate stage than she
did in the concert room. She has to support
her two splendid artists Miss Cary and Signor
Brigno Ii but as one swallow does not make a
spring, neither does prima DONNA contrato
and tenor constitute an opera company
Therefore we earnestly advise the manage
ment to bear this important fact in mind, that
nowadays many of the patrons of Italian opera
visit Europe every year and are accustomed
to hear operas given in the best possible man
ner, with first class artists in the solo parts,
large, well-balanced chorus and an orchestra
of the standard of Costa and Arditi. Miss
Nilsson, Miss Cary and Brignoli cannot make
season successful unless they are
properly supported. The three would have
been completely swamped had they appeared
during the season just past For Italian opera
there must be at least double quartet of
first class singers, a ell-drilled, homogeneous
chorus and an orchestra sans peur et sans re-
2'roche. Then comes the equally important
department of mise en- scene and all the ap-
pointments necessary for the stage. Both the
stockholders and the management of the opera
should not lose sight of these indispensable
attributes Of Italian OPERA as neither the pub
lie nor the press can tolerate repetition Of the
past season of opera.
With the exception of the great German
Sangerfest, which takes place next month,
and in which Gambrinus and Apollo are
equally interested, there is little to expect in
music in the metropolis until the fall Of
course the concerts Of Theodore Thomas, at
Central Park Garden, will supply, during
the hot summer months, everything that
lover of music may expect; but
they are not to be classed among the regular
Academy sensations. Apropos of this orches-
ira, here is chance for the Nilsson manage
ment to secure an American Costa and an
exponent of every kind of operate music.
Hundreds of our best citizens find their way
every evening to the Park to listen to the
enhancing strains Of this orchestra, and they
come away with feeling of regret that such
an Incompatible band of musicians should be
lost to rs during the regular season. Julien
has established himself at Terrace Garden for
the summer, and bids fair to emulate the
example and popularity of his distinguished
father.
During the fall and winter season, independ-
ent of the Nilsson operatic season, there are
many pleasing features. First of all comes
Rulman's Concert Troupe, consisting of
the celebrated Vienna Ladies' Orches-
ira, Madame Fabbri, Mile. Elzer and
Herr Miller. The orchestra is
complete novelty, consisting Of twenty
young girls of the first families of Vienna, with
Miss Josephine Weinlich as conductress. Then
we are to have an English opera troupe, with
Parepa-Rosa and Jenny Van Zandt as the
stars. Dolby brings Miss Edith Wynne, Nine.
'Patey- Whytock and Santley for English ballads
Schneider takes up her quarters at the Grand
Opera House, and the Stadt will have another
season of German opera. Altogether the
prospects of music for the next season are very
favorable, and the divine art will receive more
encouragement than 1t has for many years
past Let the different managers not become
discouraged at the bugbear of competition:
there is large and liberal public for them in
this city. But we again warn the forthcoming
impresario against the presentation of operas
in an incomplete and unsatisfactory form. The
public have submitted gracefully to the nui-