The New York herald., 1871-10-07


1t would be extremely difficult, II at all pos
sible, to find another season in the history of
music in New York to compare with the pres
ent one in brilliancy and talent. Among the
artists, both home and foreign, whose names
are emblazoned on the managerial signboards,
there are few Of the prima donna persuasion
who are entitled to special mention. One of
these Is the Swedish nightingale, Christine
Nilsson, who may be called the favorite child
of song, and whose very soul and being is
wrapped up in the divine art. Her debut in
Italian opera is looked forward to as one of the
events in the musical world, and already the
usually apathetic 'Hub" is convulsed with ex-
element in view of her FIRST appearance there
on Monday night. The subscription for the
New York season, which commences on Octo-
ber %, is already very large, and it is likely
that everything and everybody that wealth
and fashion can bring together will deck the
boxes and circles Of the Academy when this
gifted songstress first essays the touching role
of Goethe's Gretchen in Gounod's opera of
of Faust" Artless unassuming, ladylike
and never tired of study in her profession,
Mile. Nilsson has won name second to none
among the artistes of the present day.
Mrs. Moulton, an American lady, is another
novelty on the musical stage. For years the
bosom friend of the Empress Eugene and the
star of fashion in the gay and brilliant Paris
of the empire, our fair countrywoman won the
admiration and friendship of the most eminent
masters of music by the rare excellence of her
voice. Rossin, Auber, Garcia and others
wrote and spoke the most extravagant things
about this voice, and for long time she was
the unprofessional rival of Patti and Nilsson.
Whatever may be the result of her appear
ance in public on the concert stage, it is GER
tain that her debut is looked forward to with q
great deal Of interest. Whether the voice that
thrilled the gentle ears in the salons Of the
Empress and the cosey little parlors Of Com
piegne will be equally effective in Steinway
Hall remains to be seen. At all events, the
most hopeful anticipations are formed, and
fashionable circles are stirred by the an
nouncement that Mrs. N. will appear in public.
Mrs. Jenny Van Zandt (Mlle. VanzinD Is
another welcome feature in music this season.
The h0bituks of the Academy will remember
with pleasure the fattering success she met
with at her debut some years ago. Since that
time she has gained high laurels in the princi-
pal opera houses of Europe, and the fact of
her being engaged for many consecutive
seasons at Covent Garden, which ranks first
in Europe, is a very stroug endorsement of
her abilities. She will make her rentrke on
Monday next at the Academy In Balfe's beau
tiful opera of s'Satanella," with the principal
artists of the English opera company to sup
port her.
There are dozens of other artists here at
present. and it is pity that they should be
scattered into various musical troupes. One
or two powerful operatic companies might be
formed of them, instead of having, as at
present, q number of concert and opera
troupes, all opposed to each other and the
public unwilling to patronize all. Nilsson.
with Mrs. Moulton as an alternate prima
donna, Wachtel as tenor and Santley as bari
tone, would have an Italian opera company
superior to anything in Europe. The manage
ment ought to look around and see what
materials are to be had for the mere asking,
instead of allowing them to be wasted aud
divided among concert troupes.