The Republican journal., 1871-10-19
NILSSON IN OPERA

tbNtoN IL TIC -iilll, hNtl otASClo
the eagerly antic pated, much talked of
event
NILSSON IN OPERA
again took the uppermost position in the
| minds of many. Toilets We're hurried
! anXiously forward to completion, delicate
gloves drawn carefully on, pretty cloaks
daintily adjusted, and radiant in wonder
full coill'ures, cleaning silks, and flashing
jewels, and amply provided with spark
ling lorgrnottos, tancitul fans, and costly
handllcrchiets, he bewitching beauties
began to be set down from their coy
comfortable carriages, in front of the long,
arched, brilliantly illuminated entrance Of
the enticing, attractive ''Boston." At q
scasonablc houl the gay audience were in
| place, filling the parquette and boxes and
Overlooking into the spacious balconies
and galleries. Up, up. up. as far as the
eye could reach, even 10 the furthcrmost
row Of bright crimson faced chairs, APP
pearcd a sea o. bright, animated antici-
pating faces, backed by the cleaning gold
and blue of the walls. Tutoring curls,
heWitching brails, rosy checks, sparkling
eyes, dainty shoulders, wonderful hats
and bonnets, dropping vines, fragrant
flowers, nodding plumes, elegant laces,
rustling silks, cleaning diamonds, sober
hroadcloth, immaculate vests, spotless
gloves, and iluttering fans made rare
and rayishing picture under the brilliant
glare of the gaslight, and such an one as
American eyes are seldom permitted to
see. The opera selected for this grand
opening night was Gounod's "Faust, :"
With Nilsson in her celebrated role of
"Maugerite." The first sight the wait
ing audience had of the charming can
tatricc was in the vision shown by
'Mephistophles' to Faust" and vel
lcomcd her with hand ripple of applause.
Later in the evening, as the triumphs of
her perfect acting and vocalizaton be
came more and more apparent, she was
the recipient Of the heartiest demonstra-
tons Of appreciation and enthusiasm.
Plaudits of unbounded admiration re-
rounded again and again through the vast
auditorium, and boquets fell in abundance
at her feet. Hardly less hearty and cor
dial were the appreciative welcomes and
encorcs bestowed upon the tavorite con
tralto Miss Annie Cary and the new tenor
NJ, Capoul. There was, Of course, much
for public favor, and critical ears followed
every note of the rich, full, sweet voice;
marked each varying expression, and
watched carefully tor every defect in ex-
ecution. Followed it through all its
wanderings high and low until it rose
arly and easily to the high c, and then
submitted in all gladness to the tumultu-
Gus shower of appreciation. The curtain
rolled down at q late hour, upon on opera
never more brilliantly represented in Bos-
| ton, and lett satisfied audience to find
their way home, where they doubtlessly
dreamed all night of aprctty ''Maugerite,
u handsome "Faust," and diabolical
''Mephistopheles.' But to Wednesday
evening was reserved the greatest triumph
of the week-Nilsson as the unfortunate
Lucia Di Lammermoor, and the silvery
voiced Brignoli as Sir Edgar. By her
most ardent admirers it was claimed,
that Nilsson was never in more superb
voice, and certainly the acting could not
have been more real Or perfect. Had
| Nilsson never possessed her sweet, magi-
cal voice she still could have charmed a
world and won a fortune by her intense
dramatic power. Such combination of
gifts is seldom seen upon any stage, and
it was nc wonder that the large and
brilliant audience were aroused to more
than it usual demonstrativeness. She
made her entrance at the commencement
OF the second scene, in company with
Alice-her attendant; walked firmly and
confidently down to the footlights and
stood with bowed head, vision of youth,
beauty and triumphant genius waiting the