The New York herald., 1871-11-23
A Fl u III EN- rs,
Italian Opera-",,irncv,,, ,,


Italian Opera-"sIiGnou.0
AS was anticipated Thomas beautifm opera
proved last nj nj the most successful event OF the
season. The Academy had Its usual assemblage of
beauty, wealth. and fashion, and the applause was
OF more enthusiastic character than ON any pre-
cedlng night OF the season. Tne cast included tho
following artists:-Mignon, Mile. Nilsson; Filina,
Nile. Duval; Federico, Mile. Ronconi; Wilhelm
Melster Monsieur Capoul; L9tario. Monsieur Janet;
Laerte Mi. Lyall; Giorno, signor Coesti. The
music 81 the opera il exceedingly interesting. aud
the Instrumentation, In particular, graceful,
varied ana always In accordance with the
dramatic character OF tho scenc. Unusual
pains were taken by the management to present the
opera complete In every detail, and the audience
gazed Win astonishnent at the unwouted feature
OF new scenery and appointments. The opera was
very handsomely mounted. and the scene In the
third act representing the lake. park ana theatre
near the Baron's castle. worthy Of one
OF our comedy theatres. The dresses, also In
this scene we're very dineronr from the dingy
garments that generally adora the chorus OF the
opera here. Tho r0tes O. MignOn and Fne are
almoss Of equal importance, serving US foil Tor
the other. Mgnon IS sad, sympathetic and child
like, bolh LII her love l0r her protector and her
Jealousy; Filne is the accomplished cOquette and
heartess lrt In the first act In the entry and pro-
cesson OF the gypsies, cart laden with the traps OF
these vasrants s drawn on the stage and III 1t Mignon
Is discovered asleep Nilsson never. made more
charming appearance than In the Coarse garments
aud Oare iect ol the young girl stolen by the gypses
From her lrst simple, touching prayer to the Holy
i1sn, ~ nra,naoe ior her Escape from her brutal
sae master, WV Wn,sa leads p.o lovely ensemble or
sesteL with chorus, III .ne DonizeJLi style, down
c her IN the last act 10 which sae
~ g .uher and lover, NILSSON seemeo
Tue very perS.nincatlon Of childllke innocence.
,,n1a y, mon conosco Il bel suol which gives
asv - sddness 10 ali the music OF "MlgnOn," was
u
plW.ounced attempt to create an effect which
moula have aesroyed ils simple beauty Tbs
nance " beautifully 'Norked inlQ the Instrumental
tlon IN the latter part OF the bpera appearing at the
most ulnexpscted times and each time In an
most r.opuar number ia Mlgnon's' music proves
e ~ 'nS me ssyne o. inc - second s a,s act ane
ns was sps sg hs
] slower tenlDo would have given the figure for tne
i strings at the commencement Of each bar more
prominence. In the last acC the great dramatic
! ability OF Mile. Nilsson was shown to It's fullest
] tent The gradual awaking OF memory when she ls
/ In the home Of her cnldhood with her lasher and
lover bending over her with tender solicude, and
her JOY in recosni1lng them, made the scene one
Milo. Dnyal must be congratulated upon having
made her first success tals season, ~. :. iaiant
one too The r0e oil Filluc Is an extremely diliiculs
| Of the bravura order. Like the .Connais tu" in
Sign0n's music, Fuine has dasning pOlOnaisc
is BY no means easy Of executlon but ali us runs
/! roulades and uiils were given by Mile. Duvol with
| an ease, accuracy and spirit that surprised all
VINO had heard her previously in other roles
| The part seemed admirably suited for her engag
| ing appearance and cOquettlsh manner. ana sho
a decided hit ii. Capou won his greatest triumph
TINS season as tile susceptible and tender.h
e & ne was ~ eXce'as amy yoSe ts na aaa
sionae music OF the last act received full Justice at
his hands. He seems 10 have made special stady
Of love making on the stage, and his studies have
made him perfect master OF the sub.
lect. Janet sang and acted the roe of the
successfully. The music Of this role is character
ized by the harp pas ages. which constantly appear
individuality about the music OF all the r6es IN this
opera. A word OF praise is due to NJ. Lyall, who
made his first appearance this season. the role Of
Lnere did not call lor much AZ his hands, but that
little ne did gracefully and satisfactorily. The cno.
rus anu orchestra must have undergone severe
Accord GOES but hey s need drilling Tor the sake
OF EXPRESSION: Altogether the production Of ''Mig-
1t Is not exactly falr that Mile. Nilsson and M.
Capoul should have to bear the weight OF us tnis
Capable Of I relieving them Tor single tight inc
eject OF this constant strain on an artists voice Is
w and many ns artists nave NNw 1ssn
will be another season OF opera given a. the
Academy Of Muslc in the spring, and II would he be
secure such great artists as Miss Kellogg and
err Wachte 10 aerpa.s WIN NILSSON tsa aau nv
the public demands from the management such
complete company OF first class talent as will pre-.
cude the possibility Of disappointment One
prlma donna and one tenor cannot be considered as
Sufficient for an opera company.
Prince GaIitzin's Concert.
This distinguished representative OF Russian
music repeated ms very interesting concert at
Steinway Hail on Tuesday evening. The excite
ment consequent upon the arrival Of the Grand
Duke exercised depressing effect upon the atten-
dance, but the very interesting character OF the
music and the skill Of the prlncely conductor in
falu thn
mazcs OF his own music and that OF Glinka
ana other MuscOvite compose rs rlveted the atten-
tiOn OF those VINO were present. The compositions
of Prince Galltzln that were performed on this Oc
casl0n bear the impress Of q highly cultivated mus
clan and rare skill IN adapting the wild melodies
his native land to orchestral and chCral purposes
We trust that the Prince Will repeat his concert
an occasion when it shall be hOEOred with the pres
ence OF the Grand Duke Alexis.