The New York herald., 1873-12-07
STAGE REVIEW.
Sock and Buskin i'm Prose,
Poetry and Song.
TRIUMPHANT ITALIAN 0PEpA.
Who Write Our Flags and Manage Their
Production-P' aging Abroad-The London
Stage ane~Its Latest Dramatic Children
ITALIAN OPERA.
The Strnkosch Company-Review Of the
Past season.

The Strnkosch C0mpany-Review Of the
Past season.
The latest and most satisfactory OF reform move
ments is that which Mr.. Strakosch introduced IN
the management Of Italian opera during the season
winch closed with Yesterdays matinee, and which
may Justly be placed at the head OF all other ope-
rattle seasons in this city, Although the adverse
circumstance OF a financial panic, affecting
all Industrial interests and bearing in It's train
woes innumerahe &c those who may be regarded
rs the chief supporters or opera, had balelu in
nuence on the pccuniary results OF this remarkable
season, yet the plucky impresario never hltefed
in his arduous task Of Carrying out To the letter his
engagements with the public. We have been
favored with operate representations 0i a stan
dard OF excellence far above what previous eXpc-
riencc led US TO expect, and IN Two casesthe pro-
daction OF Meyerbeers greatest work, "Lcs Hugue-
nots.n and verdi's latest ana most remarkable
work, "Aida"-the performances were on par
with the best efforts OF London, Paris, Milan
or St. Petersburg. Mr. Strakosch's efforts
during the past season have gained for
him the admiration and hearty endorse
ment OF every friend OF true art, and have
rendered 1t extremely dificult, If not impossible,
for any or his to return to the Rip Van
WInke policy which mas so long characterized the
, management Of Italian opera In this city. He has
broken the spell OF depending upon single artist
chief attraction, and By presenting an ensemble
OF talent, symmetrical and satisfactory in every
particular, he has placed Italian opera on the same
sound basis as that on which two or three of our
leading theatres rest The principal artists OF his
company, one and all, have gained
aurels which were formerly monopolized by
the prima donna or tenor, and Sgnor Muzio, the
chez d'OrcheStre has made the chorus and orchestra
special attractions in themselves. The minor roles
in the various operas brought out have been en-
trusted to competent hands instead Of the incapa-
bles who, from time immemoral, have been inflicted
upon the indulgent public. In fact the company
OF Mr. Strakosch is so good collectively and indi-
vidualy, that no words Of commendation should
be denied it.
Mme Nilsson, whose claims to pre-eminence
on the lyric stage are IndIsputable came back to
us, after years absence more finished artist
than ever. To the glamour of poetry and grace,
which envelops all her lyric representations, there
was marked accession OF great dramatic power
and intensity and breadth OF tone and warmth of
expression in her voice. New beauties were un-
folded IN her wen known Interpretation
OF the hapless Violetta, the martyred Gretchen,
the Bride OF Lammermoor, the gentle Mignon,
the impassioned Leonora and the coquettish Lady
henrietta. But in the role OF Valentine in ''Les
HuguenOts' she rose to a standard OF greatness
that dwared all her previous efforts in opera. The
American stage has rarely witnessed an exhibition
OF such histrionic and musical genius as the Swed
ish Nightingale has shown in the fourth act Of
Meyerbeer's great work. Even in ''Don Giovanni
the weakness OF the other artists in the cast
served as foil to the finished and artistic imper-
sonation OF the role OF Elvira by Nine. Nilsson.
Mile. Ostava TorrIan who deserves place
beside Nine. Nilsson l0r the arduous task she has
completed OF undertaking such important roles
Elyir In n
vannl.n Filina in "Mignon," Gda in "Rigolctto"
and the title role in .ATda' and achieving a gen.
uinc success in the last mentioned character, Is a
very young prima donna, possessed OF we'll
trained, flexible, pleasant voice, which in course OF
time will probably become an organ ranking
with those artists whose names are in-
scribed on the tablets or fame. In "AIdap
Mile. Torrani has gained an assured triumph, con-
sidering tie immense difficulties OF the r0te and
her finished Interpretation OF 1t. Her debut IN
"Luca'' was made under circumstances which
would have discouraged many prima donna.
Called upon in a few hours notice to make her
first appearance in role in which Nine. Nilsson
had gained her most precious laureIs, Mile.
,Torriani gravey undertook the task and sprang
at once into popularity.
Mile. Maresi is the youngest member OF the COM
pany, and in the roles Of Margarita in lies Uugue
notsn and Lucrezia Borgia she proved herself a
thorough artist. In another roe she was not so
successful Her voice Is 100 small In utbe for sucn
arduous music as was assigned TO her IN "Don Go-
vannin Yet the success or Mile. Maresi III the
operas OF Donizetu and Meyerbeer IS favorable
augury OF her future career.
Miss cary has during the last season, astonishcd
ever her admirers 10y The great improvements VS.
ible IN her rendering OF the music Of Azucena,
Urban Siebel, Federico, Amnerls, Nancy Madde-
lena ans Orsni, IL all Of winch r0ies she gained
ard revengeul daughter OF Pharaoh, in 'Afda,''
her acting and singing have placed her in pos
ition second 10 no living contralto on the operate
boards to-day. Close study, magnificent voice
and natural desire to excel in the r5'es entrusted
to her, have moulded Miss Cary into the symmetry
and proportions OF great artist.
Stgnur Campanint claims the first attention
among the male mbers Of the company. FROM
hts debut Gennaro to hls last nnished nperscna-
tlcns OF RaGames in "Aida,n this young artist has
proved himself ol the best tenCTs the American
stage mas seen since the palmy days of salyi
In "Aidav and Lies Hueuenots' lie has been
sc SURPRISINGLY great tnat the chief snare Of
the honors III Goth operas must be accorded TO hul.
thorough musician, and is wen acquainted with
the intricate ard Notwithstanding works 0! Wag-
The most remarkable feature of his voice Is
that he sings better towards the cicsc OF IN opera
than in the beginning He combines all the poetic
delicacy Of Mario anu Giugnl With the nervous
power OF Wachtel. A respondent career is before
SignCr Campanini, AMI there is every reason 10 eX
pect that he will become the representative tenor
The next artist in point or TaerIt that claims
attention is NJ. Victor Maurcl, the principal barry
tone OF the company. With the sole exception OF
NJ. Faure, there Is not on the operate stage a
harytone whc can compare with NJ Maurel rhe
only fault TO tie considered IN speaking OF MIN, ls
the smallness OF his repertoire. When "Rgoiettor
was produced, he was not prepared in The title
rule. which every great barytone is expected 10
know. But in the operas IN which he has ap-
peared, Maurel las won the highest triulnphs that
artist can wish lor, the perfection u singing
and acting.
signor Nannetti, the basso OF the company. in
the trying roles u Marcel IN Les Huguenots,n
Ranhs, the high priest, IN "Aida;' the Duke IN
'Lucrozlar aud Silva in 'Enanin has given iii-
disputablc evidence of being worthy successor OF
Carl ForLles. without possessing the wonderful
voice cf the great German basso, Sighor Nannetu
uispiays lar more musical intelligence sad pro-
duces more artistic effect In his roles.
The second barytoLc 81 tie company sioncr Del
fuehte, deserves special ccmmendatioa on &C
ouct OF MS signal services during the season; 50
uoes Sigror Scoara, who has undertaken with sue
cess TINS season the smaller roles In certain operas.
me chorus AMI orchestra, under the able direc-
tloh OF Sgnor Muzio and Herr Behrens, have been
i sucn aegree ol excellence that few opera goers
To Linz -