The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-13
ENGLISH OPERA-DEBUT OF sANTLEY.

The Academy OF Music was crowded last night to
Its utmost limits every seat being taken and hun
dreds compelled to content themselves with stand
ing room only. Even the stocKholders box es-
strange to say, for English opera-were all filed,
and the house presented as brilliant and fashion
able an appearance as at the debut Of Nilsson. 1t
was an occasion worthy OF such an at
tendance and such an ovation. The greatest
living baritone, Charles SantIey, made his first
bow on the operate boards OF the metropolis and
every one anu everything that New York could
boast of in fashion ana intelligence was present to
do honor to the event. Mr.. Santley has been now
some months In this country, and those VINO were
acquainted with his high reputation land their
be confined to the narrow sphere or the concert
room and the adverse influence OF incompent man
asement. Mr. Rosa deserves the thanks OF the mu-
steal public for not having permitted Mr.. Santley
10 leave America without giving the public an op-
owing to the peculiar manner roMnV IN Which tne con-
certs in which he sang since his arrival were con-
due1ea aSs but 81 small proportion OF the public enjoyed
voices ever heard on the stage The Opera was
.s,aa mzampa" more more brilliant or % erective work than
the French composers, either new or old, and
IN which the favorlte pupil OF Cherublni (aerold)
was played In New York previous to last nights
represeatation is was at the ola Theatre Francais
and Armand appeared IN the principal roles. The
cast last night was as f0llOws:-
Camilla, daughter of Lugano Mrs. Jennie Van Zandt
The Statue Of Alice d Manfred Mrs Aynsiey Cook
Alphonso Monzs, scan officer. Mr. Tom Karl
Bruno, Bruno Capuzs, zampa's attendant Mr. Aynsey Cook
Danao,o' aaomesuc .,..'.........MrT T. Whihln
N rHA'o.''. Mr. kinross
Mr. Charles santey in hrs great role off, Tampa
The role OF Tampa, as Is well known, was written
Tor q tenor voice; but as 1t does not extend very
nigh Mr.. Sant!ey by few transpositlons, such as o
tone lower IN one or two arias, Is enabled TO bring
the part Within the range OF his voice. His first
appearance In opera here may be set down q
grand, unqualified success. His voice is or quality
pure ana clear as crystal; every note tells like the
tone OF pell. Hearing him IL like unto gazing
into mirror; every thought Of the composer Is
rejected rene and there is not an u9intelligible
well-kn0wn scenes OF Tampa the drinking song or
the first act, the passionate address to Camilla In
the second act, and the final scene which ends
In the punishment OF the impi0us COrsair, were
delivered with power, emphasis and effect such as
are seldom heard on any operate stage. AS an actor
ne Is easy and graceful rather than powerful or
demOnStratlve. He 10 evidently AFRAID OF OVERRIDING
scene or tearing passion to pieces and believes
IN the golden medium, without descending to
tameness. No one who wishes TO see and hear
the nearest approach TO perfect artist that the
Academy OF Music has known since the present
building was erected should fail to attend the
ond representation Of "Zampa," on Wednesday
evening Regarding the rest OF the cast, we may
say that Mrs. Seguln and Mr.. Aynesey Cook were
deserving OF the highest praise. Mrs. Van Zandt was
good IN the first act but sang wofuly out OF tune
the last two. Mr.. Whifen acted his part admirably
and Mr.. Karl with the exception OF some mlshaps
IN acting, made the role OF AlphOnso q nattering
success But next to Mr. Santley, who, or course
was the lion OF the evening, the principal share OF
praise Is due to the conductor, Mr. Carl Rosa. who
brought both the chorus ana the orchestra safely
and triumphantly through the mazes OF this really
ten could have succeeded SO well in reconciling
tine 1ncOngruit1es or the instrumental and choral
parts and bringing the opera to successful close.
Tonight we are promised "Don Giovanni" with O
very strong cast.