, 1872-10-28
AN QPER ATTIC FAlLURE.

As the Lucca operatic troupe is the only one
before the public this season, whatever concerns
it is Of more than ordinary interest. It will sur
prise musical readers, therefore, to learn, &C.
cording to the authority Of the New York Herald,
that tho season in that city las been failure.
Tho blowing OF trumpets with which the troupe
WIS hcralded certainly led the public to expect
the most successful season ever known On the
lyric boards Of this country, both muscal1y and
financially. The troupe YVES organized, and is
now under the management of Henry Jarrett,
lho veteran London impr asario, who has p1otcd
almost all tho great singers Of the present.
to success, and Max Maretzek, whose hair
has grown gray in. tho ope1atic business,
and whose acquaintance with artists and the pub
lie. and familiarity with routine details, ought
to have qualified him to have etoered clear OF
tile breakers in which so many operatic ventures
have been wrecked. It il to be presumed that
MIR. Jarrett is not thoroughly acquainted with
the wants and tho tomper Of the American
peoDlo, He has been in this country but short
time acting as tho confidential agent OF Mad
Nilsson -Rouzand during her concert and 4 very
brief opcratic tour, which gavo him no oppor-
tunifv Of knowing tho American people III an
operatic sonso Mr. Maretzok, however, Is an
old staeer, who has managed almost every primc-
donna in this country, during the past thirty
wears, but his experience does not seem to
| have tauglt him any sense. He las committed
| the same error this time that he has committed
scores Of times before, and the influence upon
his pockets will probably be tho same. This er-
| ror is the presumption that an opera season cen
| be carried through to SUCCESS upon tho name OF
one prima- donna; in other words, tho t"o m2n-
ayers have calculated that the worldwide ropu-
tation of Lucca was sufficient, without other Mt
fractions. to make tho soason profitable one,
and that there WIS no necessity to support thas
prina-douna with thorough md efficient
troupe. Acting upon this principle, they organ
ICED their forces, and the result is stated by tic
Herald. Janet, the basso, is an artist OF ap'1-
itv. Miss Kellogg has accomplished nothing,
owing to her foolish jealousios OF 1'ucca' auo
on her nights the house has beon filled Nlth
| dead-heads. Vizzani, the tenor, has been
failure both as actor md Singer Abfosneoo'
the other tenor, has broken down TWO or thFco
times. OF the beritones, gparapani has noVolce'
| and Moriamn is wandering and uncortn'n. Inc
contralto, Senorita SAM, has tue dlpither!a' anu
ought not to bo singing ut all. Tho subordinate
singers are bud without exception, the chorus
thoroughly inefficient, and the orchestra exc
crab1e.
Tho roault Of al this is, that the enthusiasm
has died away, and what little interest remains
centres In Lucca and Janet. II is the newt
able result of the pernicous star
system carried to it's worst eSccse'
tt seems strange that managers, hoE
on1v Of tho opera, but Of the drama also'
cannot understand that i star alono cannos
draw. and that what the people want 1s IN
effective combination Of all parts any o'nel
organization is m injustice to tho pr1ma-donna'
which aonanos her to do NJ the work, and MAKES
bor rcsponsib1o for the shortcomings of the IN
capablcs, and an injustice to tho puonc' N no'
o;yine thorn fair equivalent for their money
Tho peoplo are always ready to support q nner1-
torious combination, and tho manager who tur'
nisbes il can always rely upon their hearty sup
mort and handsome remup grafton. Italian opera
cnn never gaip pnE?m:aanent teotho1a Il L
this country until it is organized IN tn's 'llii''.
and the best available talent is Secured foE eaei
; pstt. however subordinate that part may De
: There has neyer yet Eee4 manager IN 'n's
! country who hos displayed ordinary Hll!reWdnesE
! in organizing troupos. 'Gsau 'n'al'*o'' 9'.ll
"a pre;;y, one or two singers to do all tue "0fA'
Il ax;strakosch ,,as organized we'll, with the e1
). CANTON Of chorus aud: .orchcstra. LooaaEa 4l0
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