The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-04-16
'ON TO CINCINNATI is now supplement
to the old war cry of Son to Richmond"

The Musical Mania still Spreading.
When Italian opera commenced, last fall, its
new career, which now bids fair to become a
long and prosperous one, we predicted such a
revival ofpopularity for music in all its branches
as New York had never known before. The
result has far exceeded the most sanguine ex-
pectations Of every lover of art and the mania
for music has extended beyond the aristocratic
precincts of Italian opera, invading concert
hall, church and even the theatres. We have
had opera in every shape and form in the
Academy, Stadt Theater Lima Edwin's and
Grand Opera House, and the concert season is
now in white heat of excitement benefits in
Vulnerable cropping up every day. Some of
these take the shape of pleasant little reunions
of the pupils of distinguished maestro, in which
the ear is RECALLED by vocal and instrumental
talent born and developed in this city. Oc-
casionally at the pretty little Union League
Theatre an entire opera or an act or two is given
by ladies and gentlemen who have received in
struction from one of the many eminent pro-
fessors residing in New York, aud the result is
generally very fattering to those who favor
American talent. Then comes Conservatory
of Music, with host of pupils who, at least,
evince an earnestness in their pursuit of art,
public recognition. Hardly a night passes at
the principal music halls without some large
concert in which may be found the names of
artists whose names have been long ago in
scrbed in the tablets of fame Then the
churches seem to be inspired with the prevail
ing spirit Of the day, and we hear of numer-
GUS changes, additions and improvements in
choirs, and broader, more artistic feeling in
music matters among pastors and church COM
mittees All this gives q healthy and inspir-
ing tone to art, and must eventuate in cloth
ing it with such life and vigor as will make it
permanent resident among us. When we
have succeeded in developing the priceless
treasures of American talent for music, which
sordid speculation in stars from other lands
has hitherto kept out of sight, the
earnest wish of every true patron of
art will be gratifed to the fullest
extent. When we look back upon the long
and checkered career Of Italian opera in this
Guy, IrOm Tile Gays Vi MdIlDTill 10 the present
time, it will be seen that all that these stars of
the lyric drama have done has been to drain our
pockets, without leaving any substantial good
for art behind them. Better, then, to bestow
more attention upon the talent at home and
create here school for Italian opera and
every other branch of music, which will in
time prove an exhaustless supply. This result
has been attained on the dramatic stage, where
the days of stars lin the popular sense of the
word) are well nigh numbered. 1t must come
sooner or later in the field of music which has
been hitherto monopolized by high-priced
stars, whose claims have been in many
instances confined to some European endorse
ment, dating back to some remote period of
their artistic career, The attention bestowed
upon concerts and amateur essays shows that
the public are determined at present to give
home talent chance to present its claims Tor
recognition