The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-21
ITALIAN OPERA.


Robert le Diable at u.s. Academy Last Night.
Meyerbeer, king OF operate composers, took the
place OF NOISY Verdi last night, ana bis best work,
and perhaps the best OF all operas was the medium
through which the entire strength or ADites' o1m-
pany was brought ont together. ana It's chief mem.
bers-Mtss keliogg, Nine. States and Signor Vilani-
had chance OF Distinguishing themselves in
the highest roes OF the lyric drama. There
Is no work so admirably adapted for popularity by
lis stirring melodies Its grand Mtonic subject. the
struggle between The powers OF good AMI evil, It's
strongly marked co',tt'e~s and its unapproachabe
dramatic effects. E.arvel OF science AMI art, yet
Its grandeur is simplicity ITSELF ana the sight, fancy
and heart are led captive to 1t as well
as the ear NO work displays SO admirably
the exquisite balance and blending of the
three scho0ls-the deep science or tho German
the sentimenahty and sweetness of the Italian and
the rich embroidery and dramatic effects OF the
French-ln all OF which Meycrbeer was a master.
In the startling contrasts he sometimes resorts to,
and which are always with him effective, many of
his successors have been led into limitations which,
however, invariably result in failure. The cast last
night was strong IN some respects Miss
Kellogg appeared for the first time as Alice, Mme
States as Isabella, Sgnor VILLAIN Robert
Signor Car0selli as Rambaldo and Carl FOrmes
Bertram. The role OF Alice is the most ambitious
one that mas ever been attempted by the favorite
American p,tna donna. ana much interest was
evinced in the result. The part makes heavy de-
mands on the ability OF the actress and the power OF
the singer Alice Is the spirit OF good that through
out the opera carries on single-handed for the
assistance OF Isabella is very limted) the struggle
with tho internal powers and more passionate act
ing and more passionate singing can scarcely be
conceived. Miss Kellogg, in late years, has devel-
Oped from coquettish Zerlina into lyric TRACE.
n a e.
sion. Her voice, from being solely soprano
So0dto, has acquired much OF the strong dramatic
quality which can give effect to grand roles
IL opera. This Is principally owing to the
penetrating quality Of the tone, added to an
and persevering studies In her art. Her Alice may
be set down as one OF her mos: satisfactory and
Vanne, 6sse ii Figo,, in which she tells Robert
the last a vice OF his dying mother she phrased
and acclaimed the passionate words In an artistic
manner that gave them Que effect The
song Of her native Normandy, simple.
pastoral air, which she sings at the
ness that left all It's charms unalloyed. She intro
duccs cadenzas Of her own In some OF those airs
anu their adaptabillty to the subject and finished
execution add much to the appreciation OF her BY
the audience as an drtlsts. The famous trio with
Alice, Robert and Bertram for wonder was sung In
perfect time--an extraordinary and unexpected cir
Oumstance, considering the proneness OF the fends
voice TO fall below The ptcn. In the trying scenes
with Robert III the last part OF the opera Miss Kel-
legg 9,spayed admrane Qualities as an ao'ress
gave oect TO the "RUDert, Fol que PAINE an air
that brought out the best qualities OF her fac
voice. Villani seemed to forget MS usual apathy,
ana electrified the house with the oorcarOts in
the FIRST ret and IN the subsequent scenes with Alice
ana Befrral. Ii he would always endeayor to infuse
Into his ,0tes q little warmth ana passion, and not
appear IS q misanthrope or retired student, he
would gain moro success. Mere accurate singing ID
not suficieIt for an opesatic tenor Caroseili did
better tnan on any previous OCCASION and the con.
being heard. That ne possesses talent there
Is no question, and the necessary experience
will probably develop him into first class te"ore d
Ordzia- The Bertram or Carl FOrmes was years
ago performance such as could not be witnessed
or heard except when he was On the stage. His
voice was an organ OF thrilling power, which iariy
revelied In the weird numbers OF the nend; but
years and want or care or thus voice has robbed II OF
It's power and left 1t almost helpless IN Its INABILITY
to grasp and hold note. Last night he acted
banded the materials which remain to him or his
unequailcd voice. In the duet with Kambaldo III
the second act, fragmentars dialogue, his voice
seldom struck the right note. In the trio as we
within bounds. The chorus was not desery-
ing OF praise last night, but the opposite.
The saDterranean voices IN the s ST. Irene
the tias and tune Mile Adrienne made very
sedn tive Helene and in her dancing and poses
ngffste Tnc limited resources OF the Academy, and
perhaps also oi the various fmDresdru VINO try
their fortunes there, preclude the possibility
and effects such a. belong to this opera
therefore we pass over In silence the mcagrcness
Of THIS department last night Again we must speak
leader the orchestra to give ANYTHING like an in
tegent reading OF an operate score. To him Is
due many OF the most serious drawbacks OF the sea-
son. and It was mercy that MS undisciplined fol-
fairs IN the music or Meyerbcer worse than that OF
Paris under the regime OF the Commune.