The New York herald., 1872-10-31
PAULINE LUCCA.
The Diva's First Appearance I'm "La
Favorita.H

FavOrxta."
ssLa Favorita" will be ever associated with the
name Of Mario. The tenor being the parsonage
who excites the largest share Of interest In
the opera, Donizettis work has been very in
frequent visitor on our boards, owing to the diff
Guilty Of obtaining Fernando worthy Of the role
The action also, in some OF the scenes being
sluggish and wanting in the animation and pictu-
resqueness Of otter works of this composer,
has an unfavorable effect on an audience.
But the music Is in the best vein OF
this prolific composer. AS we predicted in an an
n0uncement OF the opera, on Madame Lucca'S
shoulders rested the chief share Of the work OF
making 1t q success. And she nobly responded.
Her voice seemed richer In tonc more prodlgal Of
that intense passion that thrills the heart and so
thoroughly en- rapport with the music OF Le0nora
that one would think she had made the role an es-
pecal study to the exclusion OF all others. Her
mournful response to the passionate declara-
rattons OF the King, lamenting over the
loss Of his happiness for which the only
"La Favorita del Re" her Incompatible rendering
Of the well known aria, 20 Mic Fernando" that
acting and singing would be sufficient to lend
strong interest and attractive power TO any OPERA
no matter what the calibre Of her assistants might
be. There are many remarkable. points Of excel
lence in the Leonora of Madame Lucca
She has complete knowledge OF every
to be admired. She attempts with success
too, to merge her individuality in the character she
acting reached the standard OF her representation
OF the death OF Marguerite. The effect on the au-
dence was electrical. The house rose at her and
chilling & Atmosphere &c 81 the Academy. i has besH x
question Of dispute among the admirers Of the
Diva as to in which capacity she exces, as an
actress or s0ngstress. She gave a satisfactory
answer last night by showing that she Is equally
great In either. In the ensembles her glorious
charm, and to encourage them to rise to the
grandeur OF the situation. In every role in which
out out the SS Of her the
commanding position sne occupied In Europe and
in none Of these roles has she gained greater honors
.signor Abrugnedo the Fernando OF the occasion,
did much better than as vasco di Cana or Manrico.
preston. His voice is organ OF peculiar kind.
There Is at times II an uncertainty about its tones
sSs slsss voice Saa sa want want q ns sno%leasss es1as
nnineligibity ss Of some cause the phrases ss
and the liberties he takes with the composer. No
know how to phrase wen, and the decamatory pas
sages in the music OF Fernando went for naugiit in
the hands Of Signor Abrugnedo. AT the end OF the
sation among the audience. As an actor he Is
cold and unimpressive, ana love duet with him s
memory Of Mario in our mind, the Fernando oi
SignOr Abrugneco cannot he considered as worthy
OF the r0P or fitting exponent OF the music.
The baritone, Signor Sparapani, revealed for the
hrst time since the season opened the existence OF
q voice. an article in which, Judging from his valen-
tine, we thought he was deficient: But although
there were some really c0mmcndable passages in
his singing, yet he by no means achieved success
in the role OF the King. His voice Is more tenor
than baritone In quality and Is OF such small de-
gree OF power that when he forces 1t he invariably
sings sharp. The basso, M. COulon, who undertook
the part OF the monk, Balthazzar, made q
very favorable impression. He Is q good
actor, as nearly all French artists are, and
his voice shows indubitablc signs OF high
cultivation The unapprcciated Reichardt, who in
a country choir or In some parlor opera among the
tribes adjoining Lake Tanganyika might receive
consideration was unfortunately entrusted with
role in which there were few solos, ana he ex-
ecutcd them In hts OWN unapproachable manner.
The chorus was better than usual and this opera
abounds In choice choral selections the improve
ment In this department may be hailed as encour-
aging. The orchestra was guilty or sundry esca-
pades, especially when the norns, In the introduc-
tion to 80 Mic Fernando got on bad terms.
But the Leonora Of Madame Lucca, even with
those who witnessed Grsi, Piccolomini and Gaz-
zaniga In the same role, was such delightful en-
bodiment OF one of the most difficult pf Donizetu's
creations that the audience went away from the
Academy last night pleased and impressed with
the power OF her genius. On Friday evening don
Giovanni will be repeated for the last time, and
"Faust' Is set down for SATURDAYS matinee