The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-04-25
ANUS EN- rs.

Italian Opera Mt the Academy OF Music.
The presentation OF civilian Tell' last night at
the Academy was one Of the greatest triumphs
achieved by the present management. The diff
culties to be overcome were of no ordinary
nature but such as might dishearten
the most energetic and enthusiastic i'm
presario, 1t is, therefore, much to the credit
of Carl Rosa that he undertook the responsibility OF
presenting to the New York public the great opera,
which by many is considered to be the master
piece Of Rossini, in a manner never before wit
messed in New York, and succeeded so well
that the most exacting critics must acknowledge
that he has surpassed their expectations. The
chief difficulty in the way OF effective rendering
OF civilian Tell" is the character Of the music.
The score was written in style adequate to the
grandeur and impressiveness OF It's theme and
the constant introduction of grand choruses and
concerted pieces Of great elaborateness has been
the result Although the roles offer excellent
scope to the artist the main interest
Of the opera cannot be said to centre
in the performance OF individual actors,
we seek it rather in the general effects than in
isolated efforts. The organization of the chorus
and orchestra therefore are matters Of very great
to superfcially In the case of civilian Tell"
Knowing this, we confess we went to the Academy
last night not at all expecting to find the COM
pleteness which marked the performance. We
came away disappointed but agreeaby so.N The
cast was such as has been rarely equaled, even
in the European capitals, and the choruses and
orchestra were remarkably satisfactory. The per-
Torrance last night was superior to many represen-
tatiOns that we have seen In Covent Garden, Lon
don, not alone in the higher but in the inferior
roles and certainly. Carl Rosa deserves the
fullest recognition for his endeavors to make
lame and imperfect thing 1t had been made by
managers whose only aim was to squeeze as much
that no fault could be found with the
performance but we have never seen one 50 per
feet as to please everybody, Or to be absolutely be-
yond the reach ofadverse criticism. But taking the
exceencies and the blemshes into full account, we
pple to the management, The ladies' roles are I'M
interesting and unfmportant Madame Parepa.Rosa
sang the part of Matilda with much sweetness and
brilliancy, mparting to it an importance that does
romanza "selva opaca' with great feeling,
displaying finished yocaization Of the highest
order. Her voice was In good order, and the notes
markable degree The honors Of the evening were
ton Of William Tell was one 81 the most finished
performances we have seen before him. It
might have been improved, perhaps, by the ad-
have added to the sweetness and nobleness of the
conception. Santley sang well all through, but In
as his with n sSn s ns ara that
Benedico," was perfectly Charming. watchtel sang
WELL but his rendering Of the role OF Arnold was
aisappoinIi,ig. Az UcI.ain noncn.s nc was po"eI-
iIghtful aria, "Ah muto asi" with the same
telling effect that he did, and the man.
ner In which he executed the many dinl-
cult passages was mastery and beyond all
praise. One Of the most artistically rendered and
effective Of the concerted pieces was the trio In the
fourth act by Matilde, Edwge and Jenny, the
and Miss Dora. The way in which
the choruses were given was one OF
For the most part the chorus sang In unison, and
kept with the orchestra, though there several
times when bitches occurred. The conspiratOrial
scene and chorus was sombre but was wanting In
earnestness and intensity. 1t did not impress itself
as 1t ought to do, although the finale,
"Guriam," was well and effectively given with
much force and dramatic expressiveness. civilian
Tell" will be repeated on Friday, when, no DOUBT,
representation will have been remedied. The last
matinee OF the season will be given on SATURDAY,
when "Marthav will be repeated by desire.