, 1872-12-30


E@@N-es-..Ea3@W-N
THE OPERA SEASON.
For the first time since the Great Fire, Chi
cago is to have an opera season worthy of the
name. Neither the Wachtol season Of last
spring, which was a miserable fasco, nor the
Aimee opera-bouffo immediately following it,
which was almost as bad, can be classed in
the regular seasons Of opera. Both these
troupes were hete1ogeneously thrown together,
and we're brought to Chicago because it was
supposed that good business could be done
here, Chicago having been without music for
nearly Six months. The managers, however,
discovered that the fire had not consumed the
good taste Of opera-goers. Now, after waiting
over year, we may congratulate our
selves that the opora once more resumes
it's place in the world of local amuBements,
although We have no Opera House, and cannot
make the opera at homo with the same degree Of
elegance and completeness as formerly. For
tunately, the opera does not need this to make
goous surroundings, but the dramatic and mu-
sical ensemble will not suffer. Perhaps it will
be improved. for the stage of Crosby's Opera
House very often interfered with the perform
anco Of opera. There nro many who will re-
member the first season Of italian and the first
Of German opera in Chicago, and they will also re-
member that, since that time, no performances
Of opera hare ever been given here in any way
comparable to them. They were given in Nc
Vicker's Theatre, which at that time was not
only vastly inferior to the Opera
House, but also to the present
handsome theatre. The only advantage which
the Opera House possessed over the theatre was
in favor OF tho audience. It was more ele-
CANT, more sumptuous, more fashionable and
aristocratic, but it did not add one iota to til Q
dramatic or musical character of the perform
ances. The forthcoming season will be given in
the theatres and in one instance at least Nc
vicker's Theatre. The only disadvantage under
which it 1abors in comparison with the Opera
House, as it WAS, is in seating capacity. Tho
audience, however, will gain by this, proximity to
the stage, and cosy degree Of sociality, which
WAS unknown in the cold distances of the
Opera House, and this will furnish increased
entertainment in tho entr'dctes and better op-
portunitics for this inspection Of toilettcs.
The first season will be Of English opera, and
will commence at the Academy of Music, Jan. 8.
The troupe was organized, by Mr. Edward
Parepa and Richings troupes which we're left
after disbandment. Mad. Parepa, Mcssrs. Camp
bell, Castle, and Nordb1om aro in Europe. 11r.
Peales is in Philadelphia. Mrs. Richings-Ber-
nard has part Of the old singers, giving opera
inNew Eagland, while Mr. seguin has by far the
best part, including Miss Rose Herseo, Mrs.
Zelda-Seguin, Mad. Jenny Van Zandt, Mr.. Brook
house-Bow1er, Mr.. Gustavus Hall, and others,
all Of whom are veil known to opera-goers, e1-
cept Mad. Van Zandt. She has not sung in
this country for many years, and her
reputation is, therefore, purely European.
In Europe, especially in Italy and England, she
ranked very high, both as actress and cantratrice
and has always reflected credit upon American
vocalism. Tho troupe is newly organized, and
sings here for tho first time, re believe. It's
repertoire is not announced, hut We presume
will embrace the standard English operas, like
"The Bohemian Girl" u ''N1aritana," and ffRoBe
OF CASTLE, II the calibre OF the troupe evidently
not allowing the performance OF the heavier
operas, or those Of the Italian school which
have been Anglcized, like "Norma" and 'sTro-
vatoro." We may reasonable expect from this
troupe fair performance Of these lighter op-
eras, especially as far the ladies concerned
the feminine branch being much stronger than
the masculine.
The English season will be an appetizer for
the Italian which commences at McVicker's Feb.
2, instead OF in May, as at frat announced, and
will last two weeks. As this is the only italian
troupe in the country, we must take this or
nothing. The troupe is under the management
Of the veteran Max Maretzek and Of Henry Jar
ret, the London manager, who was Mad
Nilsson -Rouzaud's agent during her recent sea-
son in this country. The bright particular star
OF this troupe is Pauline Lucca, the Berlin
prima donna, whose reputation both as actress
and singer is SO well known, the world
over, that sho will need no introduc-
ton in Chicago. We may naturally
axpeot that Americans will grow enthusiastic