The New York herald., 1872-12-08
MUSICAL AVID THEATRICAL NOTES.

and Lotos.n No ballet ever had euct a magnificent
setting ae the one which is now dancing through
these wonderful palaces OF earth and air. and none
was 30 successful as the "Black Crook II ~
understood the experience sinoe acqaired in stage
adornment is 10 be applied to a rejuvenation OF
the old piece and that the "Back Crook" ie to live
again in greater glory and grandeur.
The English papers were in error in announcing
that Mr.. q. L. Fox had consented to appear IN the
new Christmas piece Jack the Giant iilern at
Covent Garden Mr.. Fox's engagements in the
West and South run far into the Spring
Miss Agnes Ethel takes benefit at the Union
Square Theatre on Friday evening, December 20.
Sardou's Society play will then have been repre-
sented ninety-six times, ana the management
think they could have run il three months longer
II Miss Ethes engagements elsewhere did not re-
guire it's withdrawal.
Tue musical promise OF the week Is a continue
tion OF the opera season at the Academy OF Music,
the return OF the Aimee opera bOurie company to
the Olympic and the singing OF Norma by the
German opera company AT the Stadt Theatre. La
Belle Heienei' Will be sung by the Aimee company
on Monday evening, and during the engagement,
which is to be for three weeks, other works VIII be
produced, notably Lies Cent vierges,n which is
new TO the American pubic.
Three of the leading theatres change their bills
pellea to give place 10 other plays after run OF
only three weeks. At Booths Miss Nelson Will
play Pauline in 1.-The Lady Of Lyons, !" and the Fifth
Avenue company aternates "The School for Scan
DAP with the French piece OF "lhe Baroness.n 1t
would have been triumph for American dramatic
taste II Junet could have retained the stage even
against Miss Nelson's desire throughout her en-
gasement Whie she Is not equally great IN all
parts OF the play the balcony scene alone would
have been recompeDse Tor the loss OF her other
delineatons and we wouG have lad the satisiac-
ton OF knowing that the best juliet
on the American stage years was fully
appreciated. Her support too, grew better the
actors became familiar with their parts, fact
which is especially true Of Nj, Wbeelock's Romeo
His awkwardness was gradually wearing away
and the modesty OF which we had occasion TO speak
on the nrst representation only grew into conf
dence as his acting improved. The Jacqnes OF Mr.
James w. Wallack was certainly better than his
Mercntio, but the latter was satisfactory. But AS
You Like lt' also falls before the demand for
change, thing TO be regretted even when we are
assured that Pauline il one OF Miss Nelson's best
parts. The same reasoning applies to the with
drawal OF 'rhe Merry Wives OF Windsor at the
Fifth Avenue. Sbakspeare's "most mirthiul
comedy was never better presented as a whole.
Mr. Lemoyne's Or. Caius, Mr.. LewIs' Slender,
which stood in bold relief even among the gen.
eral excellence OF the cast, and possessed flavor
as pungent and delicious as the Newfoundland
strawberry. And Mr.. Fishers Fastan was o sin
guariy sweet and dgnided creation. II was not
the Fastan OF Hackett but IL would have been less
admirable If it had been more like. limitations
seldom worthy OF respect, and lacNett, especially,
was dlflcnt OF imitation. Mr.. Fisher struck out
boldly Tor himself and In giving to the greasy
knight" something OF the character OF a gentle
man, he did not ovcrstep the bounds OF probability
In his Interpretation. We cannot expect TO Shak-
speare better presented in all the accessories OF
costumes, scenery and acting than the case
with the plays produced al these two theatres, so
that from every point Of view their early with
drawal Is to be regretted.
Mr.. Br0ugham's new drama, "Atherly Court,n
is to be produced at the Union Square Theatre
about the 5th OF January, and the interval after
the withdrawal OF agnes" VIII be given to
standard comedy. "Tbe School for Scandal,u
Money and .'London Assarancen are to be
played, with Mrs. Clara Jennings and Miss Emily
Mestayer among the artists who will take the
leading parts. Next week being the last but one
OF Miss Ethel's engagement, the short season OF
English comedy at this theatre is near at hand and
will come in time for comparison In strength and
artistic finish with Mr. Day's company in Sheri-
dan's sterling play. Both companies are so strong
that the rivalry Is natural and whether the victory
shall incline to one side or the other depends upon
the adaptation Of the actors to their parts and the
perfection Of the ensemble in every detail.
A counterblast to Mr.. Wills "Charles - is pro-
jected at the Queens in the shape OF play called
"Cromwell,n in which the character OF the Pro-
tector is to be exalted.
Madame Adelina Patti will sing Elsa In wag-
ners "Lohengrinn at st. Petersburg, during her
engagement at the Russian capital
An English fiddler felt aggrieved with criticism
in London paper and wrote to the editor. This
is the way his communication was treated:-
lord Harrington, great conRdisSeuy, was
present, and expressed himself most thoroughly
delighted with the entire programme. Mr. Cocks,
the well-known music publisher, was present, and
said that since Paganini he had heard nothing like
IL. gentleman who had known and heard
Paganinl also stated that in his opinion was
greater artist. And last and certainly highest OF
all, Mr.. G. A. Macfarren. the English Beethoven,
present and said that for thirty years he had
not enjoyed such wonderful musical treat. II
can be proved by great witnesses that am most
extraordinary and finished artist on the violin. I
can bring all the people have mentioned to back
up this statement in law court. Sir julius Bene-
dict, Mons. Riviere and such men would come for
ward and assert that can hold my own with any
yiolnist that ever lived.
The Italian Opera was opened at Cairo, Egypt,
November Q. The theatre is spacious, well vent
lated and splendidly decorated. ON the right side
three or four boxes veiled with embroidered
gauze, being appropriated to the ladies OF the
harem.' The opening piece was II Purtani,n and
ON the next night "Ernan' given. The great
success was, however, for Mile. Beretta, the first
dancer, who really executes extraordinary feats
EA.h aIIa hkp
street the Lyceum.
At last change has been determined upon at
Wallack's, and Lord Dundreary is in his last
nights. "Samn will follow .'Our American Cousin,
and, contrary to the old custom. it is to be pro
duced on Saturday evening of week after next.