The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-10-01

The Beauty Of the Metropolis Wei
come the Diva. =
SELIK AS TRUMP n.
Graceful Floral Tributes to the
Queen Of Song.

win long dwell In the memory OF those who had
the happiness to witness It. Never perhaps In
the history OF opera In this country did an
audience 80 numerous and brilliant assemble
to welcome an artist to the American stage
The debut OF Madame Lucca was looked
forward to with unusual interest by the
puolic on account OF the romance that surrounds
the story OF her struggles and her trlumphs
Coming to Us with great European reputation
there was pretty general feeling that the Ameri-
can public had nothing to do but accept tho vcr-
dict already pronounced bya competent tribunal
on the vocal powers OF the hayward little lady.
In selecting "LAfrIcaine" Tor the opening night
the management displayed good sense, for, al
though that magnificent work OF Meyerbeer has
never obtained much hold on the American public
who could invest the role OF selika with absorbing
interest. The result justified the managerial
calculations Public attention was thoroughly
aroused and every one who could manage 1t went
to the great Selikas debut to note the impression
she would make, fully convinced that 1t would
mark an epoch in tho history OF the lyric stage.
Long before the hour announced for the opening
OF the Academy crowd had collected ct tine en-
trance in Irving rr!!sce; resolved 70 hola the!g
own against all corners And secure the best
positions These were the unfortunate votaries OF
the muses., who. from carelessness or economy, had
neglected to obtain seats while there yet time,
and were now forced to watch and struggle for
some coign OF vantage. People pushed about in q
most unceremoniOus manner, aud whoever had the
hardest ribs and the sharpest elbows got nearest
the wshed-for entrance.
At last the doors opened and the surging mass
OF humanity precipitated themselves into the in
terror and were quickly distributed through the
1,nus T,,ono vvhn hoII in
more slowly, as their locations were fixed and
there was no need OF hurry. Even this class. how
ever were not long In putting in an appearance,
and the mass OF dark-ookIng empty seats
became dotted here and there with the
white burnous OF the ladies. Gradually the large
blank spaces were filed with animated human
forms, until the melancholy looking auditorium
frightened up and bloomed, as II under the wand
of magician, with parterre Of brilliant cos
tunes, sparkling diamonds, laughing eyes and
beautiful human faces full OF sympathetic life.
Never, perhaps, had the Academy looked SO bril-
liant as it did last night. Every nook and corner
was filled, and there did not seem to be spot
where another human being could be conveniently
placed. The richness OF the ladies' toilets and
the general prevalence OF full dress contributed to
give an unusual eclot to the scene, which
was not without its effect on the spirits OF the
uuuieuCe. So IluCu Hdu Decn promised on DenalI
of Nine. Lucca that expectation ran high, and the
public were on their guard not to be surprised into
accepting the debutante before she had thoroughly
demonstrated her right to be considered as the
great artistic whose Sellka was without rival. This
feeling was felt rather than manifested, and in
spite OF the Joyous look OF the house the audience
were reserved and almost cold In the opening acts
There was no marked welcome extended to any
OF the artists until Madame Lncca appeared on the
scene. If there was not manifested the kind OF
enthusiasm which would have hailed Nine.
Llcca III Italy France or even England, there was
yet compcnsatng heartiness In the welcome
rendered TO her that went a far way
to replace the missing enthusiasm. As the
evening wore on the cold and formal spirit of the
audience dissolved, and under the magic influence
OF Nine. Lucca's clear, sweet notes the audience
were warmed into admiration and finally into en-
thus,asm. Not a solitary flower was cast at her
feet when she first appeared, but when she
had sung and the audience became con-
vinccd that she possessed all the gifts
and genius that she had been credited with,
floral tributes were absolutely showered on her.
In al least one instance this statement Is literally
true. An enthusiastic admirer In the upper tier
of boxes threw huge bouquet with such true atm
that it landed on LUCAS shoulder As the bouquet
might be more correctly described as a bundle OF
flowers, the compliment quite staggered the lady,
but she rallied and looked mp amlaby at the NAL
odrOi, who FASTENED to disappear as rapidly as he
could. This was about the only conyetemps or the
night, as everything went on very smoothly.
In face or the magnificent promises made by the
directors ofthe Academy the mise scene was any
thing but impressive, and though there was no at
tempt made to introduce our old Swiss friend we
feel assured that we have not yet done with that
marvellously enduring monument of the scene
pallters arl -. "a 800, a. ".
what a strange thing is the mind OF a great
composer, when, after reaching the temple Of
lame and being crowned with imperishabie lau.
rels ambition leads him on to mount still higher
and to excel all his former enortsl There are num-
berless instances Of the result OF this O'erween.
ing ambition. Beethoven Is one, and every musi-
clan knows that the nre OF his genius burned
not brightly In the sunset of his DAYS
as at the noontde, when he poured forth
symphony after symphony, those imperishable
works OF art. Mcyerbeer achieved renown before
which that OF all other operate composers must
fade, by his "Huguenots,' "Prophete," "L'Etoile
du Nord' aud 'Robert;" but none of these works
were 30 dear TO him as that which was presented
al the Academy Of Music last night. He dreamed
his life away on work which was to tower above
all Others and this work was "L'Africaineu
All other efforts OF his mind were insignificant TO
him in presence OF this one absorbing idea We
have told before how he sought long and patiently
for prima donna worthy of interpreting the
heroine OF his work, and how In Pauline Lucca he
thought he found his ideal.
Hut to refer to last nights representation. The
cast OF the opera was the lollowing:-
sclika Nine. Pauline Lucca
Anna, her attendant Miss shohed