The New York herald., 1871-01-11
FOURTEENTH STREET THEATRE.

Last night was wrecked another OF those i'll
starred craft that are periodically launched on
the stormy sea of Italian opera, without pilot
or one on board capable OF navigating them, with
an incompetent and mutinous crew, and leaking
from the very moment they touch the financial
waters. Such rash, ill-advised enterprises deserve
the fate they invariably meet Italian opera Is the
highest form Of the lyric drama, and nowhere
In the world, we confidently assert, is it better
appreciated than in this city. The New York public
crave for 1t, and are wNing to support it If only
the people who pretend to the name OF fDapresarit
will give anything that deserves the name OF Italian
opera. Such an affair as that which closed last
night he tnrdli calculated only to bring dscredi
on the name Of Italian opera and discourage real re-
sponsible managers who may attempt 1t. 1t was SINH
lar the fasco Mora and Draper years ago
the same theatre. Last night Verdi's opera was
given with the following cast:-Ricardo. Lefranc;
Renato, Reyna; Oscar Mile. Beselli; Amelia Mme
yiardi Marti; Uirica, Nine. De Gebele; Sam, Bacei;
Tom, Locatelli. Nine. Czlllag's illness was the
cause, likely OF the announcement on the bill, "Last
night OF the OPERA" as she Is one Of the prin-
cipal managers. The selection OF "un Ballon
was an unfortunate one We have not seen
the opera properly placed the stage in this city
within the last six years. At Covent Garden as a
spectacle alone II IA worth seeing. The masked bail
there on the stage would be worthy Leiderkranz
dozen chorlsters put on ragged domnos and de-
cayed scenery represents the ball room. Again last
night leiranc did not know his role and 1t was alb
soutely painful to witness the struggles OF the
prompler TO help him through Even II he was per-
feet IN the part "a far rehearsal is concerned
1t is not suitable for his voice. The want Of
thorough musical education is partially concealed in
busting roles like those OF Manrco, the tenor part
in "relP' and Poliuto, where there is much action
and less complicated music than there Is "Un Balo
en- Maschera.r Lefranc has a voice of rare power,
expression and sweetness aud in roles familiar to
him, he Is inimitable. But Ricardo is a sealed book
far he Is concerned. Reynas hard metallic bari
tone CRATES discordantly on the and never more
than when he sang the beautiful aria, 'E sci tn che
maccniavi que anma,n In which he inyeighs
against the treachery OF the Governor Nine.
Viardi Marti's voice is good ana well schooled but
possesses little ccor or expression. She has but
limited idea OF acting and less OF a proper imper-
sonaton OF the role OF Amelia, as far as appearance
and dress are concerned. Nine DE Gebele's thin,
weak contialto voice failed 10 give an inteli-
gble idea OF the music OF the astrologer, and that
part might well have been omitted for all the
effect II made In her hands. Miss Rosa Cooke was
an exception to the general incompetency OF the
cast and she sang and acted the role OF the page,
Oscar IN very commendable manner. This young
lady has made considerable progress In her profess
and familiarity with the eperatic stage she will be
valuable auxiliary to any Italian Opera Company
As for the chorus and orchestra they were beneath
criticism. II Is a shame that In the metropolis OF
America such exhibition should be paced before
an intelligent public under The name OF Italian
opera. We want opera sadly, but no snch arrange
Inpnt above.