The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-04-20
AM u S E M E N T S.
The Academy OF Music.

The Academy of Music.
Donizetti's great opera 'Lucrezia Borgia" was
presented last night at the Academy Of Music to
remarkably brilliant audience. The house was well
filed might almost say crowded, giving the best
evidence OF the undated interest of the
public in operate representations. 1t Is
due to the present management to
say that they have made efforts and some sacrifices
In the cause Of art. Whatever may be the short
comngs of the company at present assembled in
the Academy OF Music there can be no question
that 1t presents an array Of talent such as
cannot be easily gathered together. The perform
ance last night when regarded as a whole, was
something more than satisfactory, but
he would be an enthusiastic admirer
who should pronounce it faultless AT
the same time when we weigh with strict justice
what was excellent and what was faulty, we are
compelled to acknowledge that the good largely
predominates. There are those who cannot COM
prehend the true mission of criticism, and who
reasonably think that there can be no middle
course between perfection and worthlessness.
The first is never reached, and with artists
such as we have now at the Academy
1t Is impossible that q performance should be
absolutely wanting in merit. But the powers upon
which singer must base his reputation are subject
to the influence of such common accident as change
of weather. and it can scarcely be considered a
reproach to chronicle that certain artists suffer
from hOarseness natural cause, which Is
known to AFFECT temporarily the excellence
OF their performance We have thought 1t wen to
refer to this mal-comprehenson OF the scope of
criticism, because in pointing out with the inde-
pendence which characterizes the critics OF the
formances otherwise excellent. certain persons
have found cause OF complaint, and certain others
grounds for absolute condemnation, such as Is not
Justified by the facts OF the case. The pre-
sentation of "Lucrezia Borgia" last night was
marked by richness and appropriateness Of APP
piece. Excellent and brilliant as is the music this
op9ra Is scarcely fitted to display the full talent OF
s ct its s s The @ Of d Don t Alfonso
ercise Of his powers Only three characters
have full play vo although
find ample room to make even a reputation in the
part. But when we know that man Is capable OF
the cas sn venl 1ns 1 VsnSesta he
SispyeH his wonderful Sert e.
feeling and expression which is peculiarly his gift.
Nor did he fail to awake the enthusiasm OF the au-
dience by his brilliant executions. The role gave
successfully that he secured rapturous encore.
quite at his ease, and was SO subdued in the con-
certed parts that ne was quite eclipsed for
'Della Duchessa di Preghi" he was scarcely audible
The honors OF the evening were due to Wachtel,
who sang with great and sustained brilliancy
through the score. There was want Oftenderness
and expression In the touching passages but there
was an assured cvenness and forcible clearness in
his notes such as only mark his best efforts In
the concerted pieces he was especially effective
and sang with correctness for which he
cannot always be complimentcd. Madame Parepa-
Rosa sang the opening aria with tenderness and
feeling, but the rendering OF 'Come bello" was
not so satisfactory. In the trio In the second
act and I'm the last act however, she
sang with great brilliancy, bringing into full play
her remarkable powers of v0calization. In the aria,
'Ah di Piu non Domandar," she eXcelled herself,
and threw impassioned earnestness into her appeal
to the flial love OF GennarO. Miss Phillips
not as So She wss IN that the Trsano
where she achieved real success. Strange
ly enough hor rendering OF "Nella fatal
Rimn' was lacking in dramatic force. This must
be due more to Misrepresentation than to want OF
power, for we have proof in this lady's impers0na
ton OF AZucena that she suffers from no lack
OF dramatic ability. She sang the "Nella
fatal Riminin more an allegrettO than
keep well with her. Her rendering of al Segreto"
spirited and brilliant, and gave constant evil
dence OF careful vocal culture 1t secured for her
recall The chorus was well given, especially
"Mailo Orsini Sono," the crescendo passage,
"Finche IL leon temato" being rendered with great