The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-04-30
Tn. Clos. OF tn. op.r. Season.

Tho Close OF the Opera Season.
The opera season, which closes this evening,
has been marked by brilliancy hitherto I'M
known in America Managers developed an
energy and enterprise which the public were
not slow to recognize and reward. Never
before had opera been presented with the same
completeness and excellence, and never was
such generous support extended by the pub
lie. 1t was thought impossible, before the
experiment of the present season had been
made, to put operas on the stage with anything
approaching to the perfection which attended
their production in Europe. We were assured
that we lacked all the elements of success, and
that should manager be rash enough to
attempt the desired improvement, he would
certainly come to grief, as the public would
not support him. We pointed out that this
was an error, and strongly expressed our
opinion that there was sufficient appreciation
of good music in this city to make failure in
an effort at improvement impossible.
The enthusiasm that attended the advent Of
Nilsson gave ample assurance that 1t needed
but the presence Of really good artist to rouse
steal entertainments Of high order
Nilsson certainly awakened an enthut
siasm such Us had not been known
here for very many years; but she was not
sufficiently supported, and the public felt tina.
her efforts were marred and cramped by isola-
ton. A less perfect artistic would have failed
but her talent and the fascination she knew
how to throw round her made up for all short
comings, and the public at last went to the
Academy Of Music, not to hear the opera, but
to listen to Nilsson.
Strakosch performed a service for which the
public have right to be grateful in bringing
artists like Nilsson, Capoul and Janet on our
operate stage, and If there was not the COM
pleteness in the production Of the works under
his direction that the public now look for
it is but just to remember that he has con-
tributed largely to the education Of that public
opinion which now threatens to outrun the
efforts of the most energetic impresarii. The
excellent lessons that have been given this
season have not been lost. The critical taste
of the people has been sharpened and rendered
more exacting. 1t will no longer be safe for
manager to come before On audience with such
wretched companies as we were wont to accept
submissively. Whatever the cost may be
opera in future must come up to the standard
excellence that we have already reached.
If any doubt existed as to the possibility Of
achieving success in this matter, and placing
opera here on an equality with opera in Europe,
what has been accomplished in one season by
serious endeavor ought to set the doubt at rest
forever. The suggestion to form the star COM
binaton which has been attended with such
brilliant success, under the direction of Carl
Rosa, was made by ourselves, and we take
some credit for the just appreciation of the
wants and feelings Of the American public
which caused us to speak authoritatively, with
such happy result In the general name. While
we have taken pleasure in the many excel
lences that have marked the production Of
such difficult works as ''The Huguenots'' and
civilian Telr'-operas which tax the re-
sources Of the best companies in Europe-we
have not failed to criticise with sharpness and
severity shortcomings that were almost unavoid-
able. We did so because we believe in progress,
possible perfection by making the management
comprehend that no defect would be passed
over lightly. Our course in this matter gave
cause for complaint to those who were striving
under many difficulties to merit the approba-
ton of the public, but we believe that they
are somewhat indebted to the severity of our
criticisms for the great completeness which
marked the presentation Of civilian Tell"
The part borne in the development of the
musical tastes Of our people by artists like
Nilsson, Santley, Capoul and Wachtel must
not be ignored; for they bring to us the ripe
result of the best culture of Europe, and, by
teaching us what is best in art, make us
sharers and partakers in the progress that has
only been achieved by ages of incessant study
and labor by the highest musical genius of the
Old World.
The new departure taken In operate man.
agement has been so far successful that we
cannot doubt that managers will see their
best advantage in steadily pursuing the new
course Already we have promise that bril-
liant as has been the season now drawing to q
close it will be eclipsed by the completeness
which will mark the presentation of the opera
during the autumn. 1t is not yet certain who
will be the reigning prima donna, but indica-
tions point to Pauline Lucca. 1t may be that
Nilsson, who has become so deservedly popu-
lar with us, will return. Certainly the wonder
full success that has attended her visit to this
Continent and the knowledge Of the welcome
+bo{ will ouait har pouct ocf nc n cfronO in.
ducement. During her visit to the United
States Nilsson has amassed two hundred and
fifty thousand dollars, and it is probable she
may feel inclined to increase her fortune by
an additional quarter Of million next year.
We understand that Mile. Nilsson has in
vested large part of her fortune in
American securities, displaying in this