The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-04-18
Italian Opera la Lond on.


We published few days ago list Of the princi-
pal artists engaged by Mr.. Gye for Covent Garden.
We now give Mr.. Mapleson's company for "Her
Majesty's OPERA" as published In Liverpool
Journal
Mile. Tltiens lie placed last in the roll Of female
artists, bui<ss tarns te her Name first, s6ar
assurance that opera IN its noDiest forms will be
noDiest characters Mlle Titens could iii be spared
from the London season Of lyric drama, because she
represents well nigh all that Is classical in Its dongs
Other names, more or less known, are those Of Ma
dame sinico. Mile. Leon Dnval. Madame rrebelii.
Mile. lima di MursKa, whose appearance viii be
welcomed by everybody able to appreciate an orlgt
Mile. Lila Benza only the readers OF foreign musical
news know anything. Another acquisition Is Mne
Cecile Fernandez, an artist not unacquainted we
believe, with our concert rooms. 4 special note
supplements the above list IN these words:-"4r-
Of are Me for the
return to Europe Is expected early In
May" This means OF course, that Mr.. Mapleson
Is trying TO secure the SWEDISH prtnea donna, and
overcome all obstacles every opera goer has good
reason to nope. A long lst OF names represents
those more OF less familiar being Signori Fanceli
yzzani, Rlna!dn, Agnes Rocca, Antonucci Foil,
Casaboni and Carav0glia. The strangers are Slc-
norl Beutam tMr. Bentham), Sinigagiia, Nicoiini
Mendiorez. Moriami, Sparapan, Rlves and Bignio;
aespec,ng not more tnaa one or two Of whom IS
many however. the chances ere that some viii turn
out We'll Special mention must oc made
OF me engagement Of Signor Barea, whose per.
formances ut the Lyceum have given general salts
faction. z "ee.
me same paper-Sa',dav Tfnes-handles Costa
without gloves:-
It Is necessary TO caution those likely to be misled
by the ncessant trumpetings OF Sir Mchaes jealous
friends, who would nave us believe that the musical
knight is man with whom musical wisdom will
die. Sir Michael with all his cleverness u nothing
OF this Kind. He can keep an orchestra In subjec.
ton. and evolve from IL more noise than anybody
else. He Is able, also to secure precision and
power, and give rough KIND OF bTllliancy TO the
performances he directs. But these qualities
are not unalloyed. Refinement and deilcacy
rarely mark his achievements; his pre-
sentation OF operas Is not always notable
for the respect paid to their author; and 1t
should not be forgotten by the advocates OF good
ensemble that the chorus at Covent Garden, under
Sir Michael Costas regime, was not worthy TO be
compared with that OF the opposition house. There
are reasons, consequently, why the acquisition OF
Sir Michael Costa should be regarded as not quite an
absolute guarantee for that excellence Of which the
prospectus makes mention. AT the same time we
may feel perfectly sure that order, discipline and
to large extent, efficiency will rule whenever the
influence and example Of the chief can make them.
selves felt
1t will be seen that eye has gobblei up nearly all
the great stars and that his opponent is compelled
TO introduce strangers. Regarding Nilsson, Maple
son knows ere THIS that he can't get her.