The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-09-20
The Approaching Season Of Opera ut the
Academy.

back in their nests once more, leaving noun
tain and seaside to their natural solitude and
quiet, and pluming themselves for the winter
numerous though they be, there is but one 10
which the attention Of the fashionable world
is directed-the promised season of opera at
the Academy Of Music That the introduce
ton to this season will be brilliant no one who
knows the sterling qualities Of Madame Parepa-
Rosa as an artist, and the strong company
with which she surrounds herself, can deny.
The return of Mile. Vanzini (Nrs. Jenny Van
ZandD is in itself an interesting event, and
the introduction of new faces like those Of
Clara Doria, Karl and Cooke, and old favor
ties, Castle, Campbell and the Seguins, will
engage the attention of all our opera habitues
and raise expectations Of the Nilsson season,
which Immediately follows, to fever heat.
The Swedish nightingale has wisely availed
herself of her summer holidays to rest from
her arduous labors of the last season and to
gain the health and strength necessary for her
first season of opera in America. Her success
In concert has bsen of such an emphatic
character that the highest auticipations are
formed of her appearance in opera. Not only
has she won the suffrages Of q critical public
by her delightful voice and artistic rendering
Of every work in her extensive repertoire, but
by her unaffected, ladylike demeanor in
society, and tho artless grace that character
ICES her every word and action. Success like
that which she has merited and won falls to
the lot of very few artists. Therefore, the
world of fashion and art looks forward eagerly
there is little to fear that she will do every
thing on her part to make the season grand
success.
For the first time in many years the obsta-
have been removed, and both the directors Of
the Academy and the entire musical public
are prepared to give it fair trial. On
the management and the company engaged
to support Mile. Nilsson depends great
deal. The company has some strong
features in an artistic point of view and
also some that admit of discussion. The con-
tralto, Miss Cary, is thorough artist in every
sense of the word, and the tenor, Capoul,
comes from Europe with such fattering test
monials that we may safely concede success
to him in advance. The baritone aud bass,
Barre and Jamait, are entirely unknown to
the American public, and they must depend
solely on their artistic attainments to prove
their right to occupy such important positions
In. an Italian opera company. The prima
donna engaged to assist Mile. Nilsson in such
roles as Phline, in ''Mignon," and the Queen,
in Hamlet" is Mile. Leon Duval, who
possesses one of the very lightest of French
soprano voices. 1t would be well for the
management, IL it becomes necessary, to
effect some arrangement with prima donna
Of recognized ability to sing in such important
roles as those we have mentioned. We have
the material here, and there is no need Of
drawing further upon Europe. Brignoli, OF
the silver voice, has been retained for the
season, and with him the public are very well
and favoraby acquainted.
The most encouraging promises are made
concerning that bete noire of American
impresarii, the chorus and orchestra, which
has been hitherto q disgrace to art. The
manager announces that strong detachment
In both departments has been secured from
Covent Garden and Her Majesty's. II and
despite the elasticity of managerial state
ments, we will give this announcement
credence, the prospects of brilliant season
are highly encouraging. We may remark
here that the chorus and orchestra OF the
Parepa-Rosa troupe have also been largely
reinforced by London artists.
It is not too late before the opening Of either
season OF opera at the Academy to offer a few
words of advice to the management. By
dealing fairly and literally with the public
and striving honestly to present an ensemble
perfect in every detail, the management will
receive such patronage as will astonish even
the oldest hd6ituSs Of the opera house, and
opera will have chance at last Of becoming
o permanent institution in the metropolis.
Parsimony in any department. company,
chorus, orchestra, costumes, mise en- scene,
&C., will tend to weaken the faith of the public
in opera management. Then the resident
vocal and instrumental talent can always he
made available for opera, and perfection OF
ensemble Is attainable where competency.
energy and skill are at the head.of troupe.
Madame Parepa Rosa opens at the Academy
of Music On October 2, for season Of, nina
subscription nights, six extra nights and three
matinees. The new works in her repertoire
are Gamma Bolena," ''Gazza Ladra.' 'L1r-
line, stie5 ucrezla Borgia, 'Satanel "Colu-
mella me tn The Water Carrier" IA few per-
formaS d the oil be, probably, given in Italian
and Gees, is grsth the tenor Wtchtel, who is
now pf the party the Stadt Theatre.
MleP 9esu 's S g sesnces assessor of twenty
nights atvith their VISIT on October 90 Tie
first opera iuALTY .sS appears VII be
'Faust" The -ourEng.is the cast Mar
| cueritc Nilsson; ~~,Siebel. Carv: Faust.