, 1872-10-31

The contest between Lucca and Mallinger in
Berlin, which led to the departure OF the former
from that city to the United States, has evil
dently broken out afresh, in another shape, IN
New York, Kellogg taking the place Of Mal1n-
ger. The communication Of 8 correspondent in
our last issue foreshadows this condition Of
things although he attributes the failure OF the
season in New York, which has been generally
conceded by the press, to reason which does
not apply in the premises. The fact OF leai-
ousy between Lucca and Kellogg is apparent
enough; but the cause Of the failure is not
attributable to this, but to the weakness
Of the rest OF the troupe, as we have already
stated. Our correspondent in question has
thoroughly nisapprehended the tenor Of our
article on this subject. We did not attribute the
failure Of the season either to Lucca or Kellogg,
but to the fact that, beyond these two artists,
there was nothing in the Lucca-Maretzek
troupe to commend itself to popular favor.
With respect to the contest between Lucca and
Miss Kellogg, which is only an episode OF the
season, we think Miss Ke1logg has been unfor-
tunate. There is room enough in the repertoire
for each OF these ladies' to pursue her own course
without interfering with the other. Miss Kel-
logg was set down for the lighter works, like
ssFra Diayolo,'' sTrayiata," sssonnambula, -
etc., and in these she did not need to fear COM
petition. Hiss Kellogg fills one place, and Lucca
another. Miss Kellogg is q pretty and
nice little mezzo-soprano vocalist, admirably
adapted to light parts, like the Anina Of "Son-
na1nbula,'' OF the zerlinas Of stDon Giovanni :"
aud "Fra Diavolo." Lucca aspires to
heavier roles, and has the dramatic
ability to fill them, whatever may
be said technically OF her vocal ability. For
Kellogg therefore, to be Jealous Of Lucca in
her roles, Is as absurd as it would be for Lucca
to be jealous Of Kellogg in hers, while it is
equally absurd for our correspondent to claim
that the management Of the troupe is attempt
ing to sacrifice Kellogg to Lucca. The manage
ment cannot do without either of them. If one
or the other Of them we're out OF
the troupe, what little interest centres
about it would be irretrievably lost. It is
not likely that the management would
have made its contract with Kellogg, months
before the eeason commenced, and introduced
her in London, it it had been pref
udiced against her in favor Of Lucca.
The mistake that Kellogg has made is
in attempting to compete with Lucca in roles for
mistake which she has made before with Nilsson
and Parepa. Kellogg has her place and Lucca
hers, end there ia nothing in
the respective situations which need
bring about o collision or intorfer-
ence, and the respective friends Of Lucca and
Kellogg are unwise in instituting comparisons,
or pitting the one against the other. This IN
fortunate rivalry, however, as We have said. is
only an incident Of the season. Nothing TINT
our correspondent has offered induces to change
which is universally acknowledged by the New
York press, and by connoisseurs who are
competent to judge, grows out Of the fact Of the
mistaken policy, on the part Of its
management, Of making the season
dependent upon the exertions Of one or
two members Of the troupe, rather than upon
the completeness Of the general ensemble. Such
course is simply suicidal. It has failed in all
past REASONS, and it will fail for all time to come:
It has done more than all else combined to make
Italian opera improbable, and it will continue
to do so The unfortunate war between Lucca
and Kellogg is none the less to be deplored, as
it only adds force to the other causes which are
operating against the only season Of opera
which ve had expected would have added to the
general enjoyment Of the present season OF
amusement.