The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-12
ITALIAN OPERA" ROBERT THE DEVIL"

lisa very singular and qnaccountable clrcum-
stance in connection with the principal operas OF
Meyerbeer that each llbretto seems to have been
written as pamphlet directed especially against
the Church of Rome. s'The Huguenots" presents
the massacre Of ST. Bartholomew in a most hideous
form; "LAfrcaine' dilates upon the horrors Of the
InquIstion; "Le Prophete" has o dart in store
for the Catholic Church, and "Roberto II Diavolo'
brings nuns from their tombs at the bidding Of
Satan, to dance, 4 Ia 'Black Crook" around a
Crusader. In other words. the librettos Of Scribe
who has been the principal writer for Meyerbeer,
are offensive in the highest degree, violating the
very first principles OF art The opera OF "Roberto
II Diavolo,n founded on q supremey ridiculous
story, and only worthy OF representation
on account OF the superb music, has never
attained the popularity Of the other works
Of the composer. Forty years ago 1t was
introduced to the London public with the same cast
as sgnalized its nrst representation In Paris. The
artists were Madame Damaro. Madame Darons
Gras, M. Mari and NJ. Levasseur The last men,
toned artist died snort time ago in Paris ana he
was the original Bertram. In 1s47, at Her
Majesty's Theatre, Jenny Lind appeared as Alice
siandigl as Bertram, Fraschlni as Robert
II sy ~ al Na coSsps ss.aen' cise n' STsi
sang the roe Of Alice, Casielian THAT Of Isabella
Tamberlik that OF Robert, Mario that OF RamDaldo
and Carl Formes that OF Bertranl. II IS singular, but
fact that ID this combination only two artists car.
RED the opera through essiully and these were
was the manager Of tnrss-namey, 1852 az the AS:
M Pace Opera House, seianon , as Ace e S9slo as
Eo1ers WAS s sea N mar ms psms err ns
In the following year the opera was presented at
Castle Garden with Steiranone, sontag saivi, Poz.
zoni and Marn-a grea, cast ,, MaretzeK again
cast:EAlice, Medori Isabella, Bosiso; Robert MAJ
zoleni; Rambado, Habelmann; Bertram, Bacni
pman ri saens ss .n senard Lorn
The representation last night was as lar as tn ns
ensemble is concerned, dlsgrace 10 the name VI
opera. The cast was the Toilowing:-
Mile Christina Nilsson .....as.. Alice
Mile Marie Leon Duvai.as .isa9ena
ssnor grsnoi a;ESes 1ds
M Josef Janet. ..as.... ber'ram
Mile Nilsson made such a success In the role OF
Alice as few artists before her nave ever enjoyed.
sna,ched the reckless hot-blooded knight from The
Clutches OF SATAN suited her admirably. The
scene or before sr e dama
and ner struggles with the hend were cnaracterzed
BY intense passion and superb acting sgn wh,c a
can poinf TO her rendering OF Nel Lasciar la Nor.
mandiaD as q triumph OF art II was terrible
drawback TO her magnificent impersonatl0n OF the
nrincpal role that the was so badly produced
| Me. Duvals thin, reedy French voice dld not 40
justice u " ,ns Prom from ness nued the role
| RSmbaido. Brignoli achieved genuine sue,
his v0ca f So not think that
has during the present season acq pal ,,,
HIMSELF with more credit 70 himself anu ms n az
meIo. ,.se are very exciting especially where the
snnor oas TO stand amid the RUNS OF the Monas,erJ
St. Irene and ah sa9% ballet NJ Few tencrs are viii
ina to stand the test II hard sor an ope, ims
to fulfil the s.. roe sa % ad dancer THROWING nsr
Will oromnS his neck and making him 9 pedes
| tel 10 pose from. Janet was an ekoe''on' D0'"S"