The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-10-01

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enough of such reformers and of such re-
forms, and will guard against being again
made the tools of designing adventures in
their effort to secure an honest, liberal and
efficient municipal government.
Opening Night or the italian Opera.
The Academy of Music looked bright and
pleasant last night The occasion was o mo-
mentous one-no less than the first appearance
in America of the favorte prima donna of
Berlin, London and st. Petersburg. The
name of Pauline Lucca was waited across the
Atlantic on the wings Of fame. and the beauty,
wealth and intelligence Of New York came out
in all their bravery Of attire and fulness of
enthusiasm to do honor to her American debut.
They were not disappointed either. for the tai
ented little prima donna appeared in her best
| r6ic, Selika in 81 Africaine," and reused the
audience to q pitch Of excitement unusual
with the staid opera goers OF the Academy.
The death scene Of tho fifth act was an idyl
rarely seen ON the operate stage. The COM
pany also proved satisfactory. especially in the
case of Mile. Leveili and Signor Abrugnedo.
The Inez Of the former and che Vas0o d
CANA of the latter were genuine artistic
triumphs. Great caro- seems to have been taken
with the chorus and orchestra, end there was
perceptible will and earnestness productive Of
excellent results about both of these depart
ments. Altogether it was . very promising
opening night. "L'Africaine'' is an opera
which Is very difficult to handle in its stage
details, and when the roles of Selika, Vasco
and Nelusko are taken from it the rest Of the
characters and the sensational scenes ore not
calculated to inspire interest. Meyerbeer
bestowed more attention in the creation
Of this work than he did on any
OF his other operas, and marks of
excessive labor are constantly apparent
But the Selika Of Nine. Lucca is an inspired
feature in the work which must always make
it interesting with her as the heroine. Signor
Abrugnedo, the Spanish tenor di fora of the
troupe, achieved notable success in one Of
the most trying roles in the operate repertoire.
Mile. Leveilli, who was the leading prima
donna of Alhaza's opera troupe in New Orleans
for an entire season, was another genuine sue
cess in the role Of Inez last evening.
The interest taken by the New York public
in music this season cannot be overesti-
mated. We have the cream of the
European opera houses and concert halls
here. There is Rubinstein, who ranks first in
the world as pianist since Liszt quilted the
field and since the early demise of poor
Tausig, and who, as composer, may be placed
beside the great Wagner; Wieniawski, who
acknowledges only one rival on the violin,
Joachim; Theodore Thomas, our own apostle
of music, whose orchestra stands unrivalled in
America and unexcelled in Europe and now
Pauline Lucca, the favorite Of the public in
Italian opera everywhere. That music is
fast becoming an indispensable attri-
butte Of polite society is evident from
the liberal patronage bestowed upon these
artists and the number of Conservatives Of
music springing up in every part of the city.
The piano manufacturers-andt they form
brigade III themsclves-fnd it difficult to sup
ply all their orders. A family nowadays,
consider that there is very essential article of
furniture and enjoyment wanting in the
absence of piano. But, with all this great
desire for music the part Of the
public it is the province of the
critic to see that it is well directed.
Therefore artists, instrumental or vocal,
who now court the patronage of the American
people must pass through a severe ordeal be-
fore they become permanent favorites The
time has gone by when mere name could
create fdror. The audience at the Academy
of Music may be attracted by the interest and
curiosity attached to great name, but they
are very chary Of their applause and enthu-
siasm until they are satisfied from their own
judgment of the justice Of the claims
Of any artist to fame. Hence the
solid grounds on which the merits of
Mime. Lucca are founded. She placed herself
last evening as o candidate before the METRO
politan public, and by the sheer force of talent
independent of European renown, she won her
way to their hearts and became at once o
favorite in New York, as she has been
long the reigning queen of the lyric stage
in Europe. On Wednesday she will essay
a role which is perhaps the most familiar
of any in the entire range of charac-
tiers in Italian opera to American ears
namely, that Of Marguerite, in Gounod's
Faust" On Friday evening Miss Clara
Louise Kellogg will present herself for the
first time in two years on the operate stage as
violetta in '.La Traviata" emotional and
trying character which never fails to excite
interest and attention here. Altogether the
season has opened auspiciously, and We trust
that the management will continue in the
good work and carry it through successfully to
the end.
! The New Lord Chancellor Of Eng-
land.
The London Times confirms the report of
the resignation of Lord Chancellor Wood. It
is silent, however, as to the appointment of