The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-22

italian Opera.
Now that the Parepa-R Rosa English opera sea-
SON has come to close-and . most brilliant
one 1t proved to be-the attention of tho public
IL naturally turned towards the two seasons Of
Italian opera announced by Mile. Nilsson and
Nine. Parepa- Rosa. On tho 4th Of March
the Swedish Nightingale commences her fare
well engagement ct the Academy of Music,
and as she win positively leave this country
in the spring there will be likely great stir
on the part Of the musical public to hear her
for the last time. She will appear In the roles
of Marguerite, Lucia, vieletta, Leonora and
Mignon, into which her transcendent talents
have infused new life, rejuvenating those
dilapidated fossils in the most marvellous
manner. M. Capoul also returns to bid New
York adieu and to repeat his matchless love-
making scenes which during the fall season
carried the hearts of the fair occupants Of the
boxes by storm. 1t will be matter OF regret
for the admirers of Mile. Nilsson that owing
to the want of a competent baritone and the
fear Of the management to incur the heavy
expenses consequent upon tho production OF
o new opera, the Swedish Nightingale will
be unable to appear this season in her greatest
r6lo, Ophelia, In Thomas opera Of "Hamlet."
In this role she won her greatest triumphs In
Paris and London, and reached the pinnacle
of fame accorded to her by the unanimous
verdict of the European public. After leaving
America Mile. Nilsson proceeds to London,
where she will appear at Drury Lane
Theatre, under the management Of Her
Majesty's Opera. Her next engagement will
be at the Royal Opera House in Madrid. II
is to be hoped that her absence from America
will be of short duration, as it will be matter
of extreme difficulty for the next impresario
to fill her place.
The most important event Of the season in
italian opera will be the appearance Of Nine.
Parepa- Rosa, Miss Adelaide Phillips,
Wachtel and Santley together in April There
is no tenor living at present who can be placed
on terms of equality with Wachtel, as far as
voice is concerned, and certainly Santley
stands alone as the finest baritone on the
stage. The operas to be given during the
April season will be very interesting,
especially to a public tired Of Verdi and
Donizetti. In the repertoire we find the
chefs d@u0re of Mozart Meyerbeer and
Rossini-'Don JUAN" ''Les Huguenots" and
"Guillaume Tell" The Raoul of Wachtel
and the Valentin of Nine. Rosa are imperson-
ations of sufficient magnitude to make the
success of season, and when we add to
them the Don Giovanni and Tell of Santley,
and the Azucena of Miss Phillips, that success
becomes certainty. The secondary parts
will be filed by fresh young artists, the man
agement being resolved to dispense with those
wrecks of the past that have afflicted the
h0bituss of the Academy for so many years.
The orchestra and chorus will number one
hundred and twenty, and an attempt will be
made to produce each opera with mise en-
scene worthy of it. The season will last four
weeks. Nothing is definitely known at
present about the fall season at the
Academy. 1t is probable that the new
management will endeavor to secure Mile.
Pauline Lucca as the chief attraction; but
from what we have experienced this season
we think it would be advisable for an impresa-
rio to pay more attention to the ensemble of an
operatic company than to the particular excel
lence Of one of its members. One prima
donna does not constitute a company any
more than one swallow does a summer, and it
is hard to be obliged to endure an hour of
agony at the hands of merciless bawlers to
enjoy few moments happiness In listening to
the glorious voice of genuine artist. The
example which Mr.. Wallack has set to dra-
matte managers should not be lost on operatic
impresarii, and q complete company is as
easily attainable in one instance as In the
other.