The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-12-14
ANU EMEN

Italian Opcra-Niisson's Latest Triumph
The Diva Leonora I'm ssIl Trovst0re."
1t would be hard to point out anoIhcr opera that
wears as well as al Trovatoren or Is moro accept
able to the general public as well the dlettan.
IL mas now become familiar as q nursery @le and
80 many eminent prime dome nave undertaken
the role OF Leonora here that 1t Is considered OF
the most difficult tests or an artists ability to
create any marked impression in 1t different
from some OF her predecessors. But Mile. Nilsson
Is unlike all other artists voice and style. ana
cupies position in art that can be filed but by
herself alone, her impers0nation OF the Inflated
heroine OF veida opera Is not only great success,
out also novelty. Her histriOnic genius found In
IL line Held for display and In some Of the scenes
notably, the "Miserere" and In the dungeon, her
acting rose to the dignity OF Rist0ri Seebach.
Inc extreme purity OF her lovely voice and It's
poundless wealth or expression lent new charms to
Inc 7dced Ia note, the DanOr sur ali r0see and
the agitated de0giO, posse, and the death scene
was notable for the entire absence OF the sereotyped
Tearing passion to pieces" which Is SO character
lstic OF Leonoras nowadays. The darker and
stronger lines OF this Tragic role are not exactly in
accordance with Nisson's peculiar style OF acting,
and some might desire to see them more wildly
Illustrated But there Is charm Of natu-
ralness and childlike affection In her az
lection for her outawed lover that wins
the heart or all who witness NIlsson's
Leonora. The sacrifice she makes or life Itself 10
save Manrico from ms relentless enemy Is prompted
Dy the spirit OF martyr and ner death carried out
this idea to the fullest extent, Her last words,
"Addto! 10 moron were not sung, but seemed TO
burst from ner heart as a o passionate sob-the
expiring effort Of a sublime love.
Miss Cary undertook the role OF the gypsy
mother, and although sung 1t fairly ana made
successful attempt at acting tnan she mas pre-
viously DONE yet alter such artists as Madame Gaz
zanga and Miss Adelaide Phillips her lmpersona-
00 nl
factory. c0orless voice. no matter what It's
other qualities may be, is calculated to nuiy the
intensely dramatic character OF the revengeful gyp-
sy especially when The acting Is colo and unim-
passloned.
Brlgnol was the Manrico and rs he was the first
artist VINO introduced the roe on the American
stage and as his rendering OF 1t IS well known all
opera goers, we may content ourselves with saying
that he was III the best OF voice last night and his
admirable singing OF "Ah che la Morte" contrib
uted much to the success OF the '.Mlserereu which
was rendered In the most enthusiastic manner
The new baritone, SignOr Bartoini, made q very
successful debut despite his extreme nervousness,
which interiered materially with his voice. 1t was
relief 10 hear once more pure Italian voice In
Italian opera, and his acting was imprisoned ana
artistic HIS voice seems TO- US to b. more OF basso
low pitch used by the company the high notes ap.
peared to trouble hun. This may have been caused
he becomes better acquainted win the Acad-
envy and the New YORK audience. At all
ton to the company. There was want OF
unanimlty between the chorus and orchestra That
betrayed want OF proper rehearsas, and In such
a well known WORK as "rrovauOre, this Is ineXcus.
able. Although the dresses or q prlma donna 40
not generally enter into the domain musical criti-
clsm, we cannot help mentioning those worn by
Mlle Nilsson last night as the richest and most ele-
CANT ever donned by an operate artist on any STAGE
In the first act she wore magnificent robe,
the pink satin underskirt embroidered with gold;
the overskrt or train OF pearl gray satin, with an
tque bodice richly ornamented with Jewels and en-
broldery ana u collier or falling nchu OF Jewels
ana q cetnture Of the same The couture was pen.
tfuly bedecked with rlcn bDOuterie forming cor
m In q ucau bor tO,1at
consisted OF long black velvet underskirt,
with satin overdress to correspond, Topped
up on one side with jet ornaments, and trimmed
around the bottom OF the skirt with lace and Jet
embroidery; veil ornamented with jet pins and
fastened on the side with an arrow. Her robe dc
marriage was white satin underskirt, embroidered
with silver, the overdre5s OF rich brocade
satn antique bodice, with embroidery OF the same,
aud CetntitTP, with long tasseS formed Dy pearls
vel Of tulle and crown OF pearls. On FRIDAY
s.Martha" win be gwen. for the last time and
"FausJ" at the Saturday matinee.