The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-05
AM USEM ENTS.
Italian Opera-Opening OF the SECOND Niissou
season.

season.
Nothing short OF genius OF q commanding char
acer could attract such a splendid house as that
which crowded the Academy OF Music last evening
on occasion OF the commencement OF the second
son Of Christine Nilsson. The same magnetism that
electrified a hard-to-be pleased operate audience
ana gave vitality, youth and freshness 10 thread
bare and hackneyed roles was all potent when the
announcement was made that the reigning Queen
or opera was to take her farewell OF the people
whom she bound to her in irreiraeable bonds OF
friendship. IL would difficult to speak OF another
artist, among the great number that Europe
has sent to this country and those or native
growth who has gained such nrIn mold
on the affections OF the pubic. In Christine Nils.
son. when she leaves us, the Opera-gOers OF New
YORK VIII lose one OF the brightest. most sympa-
thetlc and most accomplished artists that ever trod
boards and 1t will be long before her place
ne filed Against the most terrible obstacles that
ever blocked the path or prima donna lncOm-
plete company ana incompetent management
nnSrS Won oa ,ne most SUpS!e aaa
Martha LeOnora, VlOletta, Marguerite ana Ter
lima became actual novelties and lresn CREATIONS
ana held the sympathieS OF the best people In New
York without symptom or enui Tor iOf ty perform.
ances. Last night the swedish Nightingale gave
strong proof that a short absence mad not dimmed
the bright Impressions LETT IN the minds Of her ad
mlrers, and ner delicious characterization OF
Mignon was as charming, winning ana artistic
la pays" the duet, 'Leggadre rondnelle" the
toilet scene ami tile glorious frdie showed that her
clear, thrilling, sympathetic voice, which can now
glow with the passion OF the tropics, now tremble
with the virginia. tenderness OF scandinavian
maid, anon give expression to q queenly dignity
ana again carol like lark OF mCrntide has lost
none of IFS charms during her absence. Here lies
irresistible love-maklng and light flexible voice OF
CapOul whose Wilhelm Meister IL an earnest, pas
speaking of acting we may say that Mile. Nilsson
was In unusual spirits last night and her hlstrionic
impersonation OF the roe was more forc6le and
we may summarize them TINS wise:-Mlle.
Duval's peculiar French voice. which reminds
one or an oboe, or rather a compromise between
that instrument and u clarlonet acted the role OF
Filina with que vivacty and cOquetry. Mlle Ferettt
was a more satisfactory Frederlco than her prede.
cessor, and yet not an artist MIR. Janet acted the
part Oh the Old harper to PERFECTION sang correctly
but lacked the power OF giving expression TO
intense passion ana paternal love by his voice.
Ihe chorus and orchestra did their work a.
all people IN those departments do nowadays In
opera; and In the fire scene the supernumeraries
performed the usual extraordinary things ON
Wednesday evening Mile Nilsson appears as LeonOra
the universally expressed desire OF the public that
she appear In what Is called her greatest role
the season, ana we trust that the management will
not refuse such liberal patrons as the New York
public have proved themselves.
NibIo's Theatre.
In spite OF the weather Mrs. Woods temperance
last evening was ovation OF the most decisive
and triumphant character. TO serve, perhaps as
foil 20 the main piece, the performance began
with dull and stupid farce. entitled "a Model Of
Wife," which went or somewhat heavily. The
audience however, bore IL In good part, and seemed
only the better prepared to be properly enthusiastic
when the curtain at length rose and exhibited the
aforementioned circle OF Indian warriors, headed
by Mark Smith, in gorgeous new costume or an
untutored brave. He was received with storm of
clear that "La Belle savage" was in good hands,
and was as much OF o favOrite as ever.
From the first burst OF laughter, indeed the IN.
terest Of the piece never dragged and the audience
were kept in uninterrupted ecslacy OF merri-
ment To Mrs. Wood, OF course, belonged the chief
ana GROWING h0nOrs OF the evening. She had been
heralded by all sorts OF foolish rumOrs, some oil
them 6attering and others very much the reverse.
Not few OF ner friends expected to find her 1.-TWO
hundred pounds In weight; some even credited sa
hair; and last, aud worst OF all, there was current
| expectation that her voice had irrevocably de-
parted. How charmlngly different was the truth
When the cheers OF the house. after passing through
eight or nine successive parOXysms OF tempestu
"came out' IN the best and most pleasantly
| familiar vein OF the past There was the same ex
vulgar abandon the same frolcsome tricks Of voice
| and manner that made her so great favorite IN
| the days oil yOre. Sprinkled IN the audience the
eye OF an experienced playgoer could detect many
| a veteran, who had come TO refresh his memory
with revival Of some of the gayest evenings OF his
indeed, felt reJuvenated as they listened to an
actress who appears to have dehed the
a aSe Jon% smith, but he snouS bsware
not OF widows. at least OF songs. His acting is
funny, though In manner That reminds one rather
too strikingly OF London music hall; but he Is
utterly unified for musical exercises. The other
parts reasonably well filed. Perhaps 1t is well
to add that the piece Is little changed from what It
was when 1t was last given in New York. The
''BrOadway Swell" and few new songs lave been
imported into It, but the dialogue has familiar
musty and venerable navOr. There can be little
doubt that Mrs. Wood will draw full houses for the
short season that she remains with US.
Woods Museum.
In spite OF the snow storm q very large audience
witnessed last evening the performance at this
theatre The programme embraced comedy, bur-
lesuue and various warlike feats executed BY the
FDian cannibas, who appeared for the second time
yesterday. AS curiosity the Fijians are worth
seeing; but their performance is neither pleasing to
the eye the ear for noise seems to be its prlnc
pal, If not only Ingredient. In their wal
dance and sham fight they deal the most
terrific blows at each other, giving vent al
the same time to an outlandish jabDer ana hideous
unearthly yells. chief among them IS General Ia
Blau, the Fijlan dwarf, who appears to De the mos
agile and the most vicious canniDa OF them all. In
fact, the progran has II, entire pdrenthese, that
he is the worst savage OF his race WheI
running wild in his native Fiji, and know
ing no other code than his own sweet
will, he Is said to have INDUCED Il
an unlimited extent In his propensity Tor human
nesh. According TO an equally credible report q
bakers dozen or so oil unfof tunate tars and mis-
sionaries have found an untlmey tomb In his capa
cOus stomach. The wonder Is that being now un
muzzed he does not cnaw up one or Two ballet
girls they caper about the STAGE In his costume,
and with the various cOlOrs daubed over his lace,
| PA Rlau lOOks n hiueOls demon. Among this
| noble company there Is also Flpan
damsel, no less OF rank than prln.
cess, who passes FOR beauty IN ner
ing in their way, but when they take their departure
from the stage a sense OF relief appears TO come
over the audience. The performance OF the FlJlans
was followed by tue buresque called "Luna: or The
Little Boy Who cried For the M0on' IN
which Miss Belle Howitt was the centre