The New York herald., 1873-10-15
ADJUSTMENTS.
Italian Opera Lucca's Marguerite and
Jamet's MePhistopheles.

large audience to the Grad Opera House last
night as outside these two roles there was nos
much In the representation OF "Faust" TO interest
opera goers. But the maiden and the demon could
scarcely be impersonated by two aber artists than
the little prima donna and the accomplished
French basso. From the moment that she ap-
peared In the vision OF the first act until the cur
tain fell on her PROSTATE form in the last-in ono
scene the tempting bait held out by the fend to
the vacilating philosopher, and In the other tho
sad victim OF helsh malce-Mme. Lucca en-
chained the attention OF the audience. Her
meeting with Faust in the market place was
a fascinating picture of coyness and rustic
coauetrY, ana there was spice OF the
defiant In the saucy toss OF the head
when she declined the young cavaliers
arm and company. In the garden scene she re-
ceived an encore for the brilliant manner In which
she sang the air des bDour. The ringing tones Of
her rich, rounded.voice, which seems now to have
attained the zenith OF its power and brilliancy,
lent an additional charm to the sparkling meas
ures In which Marguerite expresses her delight at
the fatal casket that proved a PandOra's box to
her. Each note iquivered with emotion when She
spoke OF the loss of her only love. the sister that
was snatched away from her by death. The love
scenes with Faust, the duet, ''Notre Dame," the
passionate utterances of never dying affection,
''Senza te 10 vogio morirn and the rapturous aria
at the window, in which she longs Tor the morrow
tnat will bring back to her the first new idol Of
her heart we're all interpreted by Nine. Lucca
with wealth OF voice and expression that car
ried the audience away into the realms OF enthu-
siasm.
In the church scene and at the side OF her dying
brother Nine. Lucca won still greater triumph.
The struggle against the mocking voice OF the
tempter and the horror and despair that takes
possession OF the unhappy Marguerite, when sne
sees the horrible phantom in church, were define
ated with Wondrous power and erect. But In tno
last scene, when her mind gives way In the prison
under the agony OF her thoughts, the climax or
pleading cry to heaven for protection, In which the
% iii s e. ense Ss Psn baha s
with torrent OF sound. Such voice gives to this
scene unwonted effect and sheds lustre OF rare
tenderness over the death OF the hapless heroine OF
Goethe
The Mephistopheles of Janet is one Of the most
remarkable impersOnations OF an operate char
acter that can be found on our stage to-day. the
grace and symmetry OF his acting, the high in
telllgence OF his vocal method and the magnificent
tones OF his expressive voice, displayed to the
fullest extent in this role An encore to his sing
ing Of "Dio delPamor" has come to be settled
fact with every audience. Throughout the garden
scene his presence seems to surround as with
lurid light the lovers and their interchanges OF
mutual affection. His singing OF the mocking
serenade beneath Marguerite's window Is full OF
malice and devilish expression, and in the church
scene he shares with Lucca the success OF that
wonderful exhibition Of histrionic power
Nine. Testa made her debut In the role OF Sebel.
and as there was no opportunity Afforded by this
role to Judge of the powers OF lady who was once
reigning tayorite here in opera, we shall defer
definite criticism in her case until she appears in
role more consonant to her position as an artist.
Signor ViZZani's Faust was neither better nor
worse that what we were accustomed TO at the
Mari was-let us draw the veil OF charity over 1t.
The rest OF the performers were unsatisfactory ~
the s1t wesk m 81 sns
and ramberlik, in Brooklyn; Tuesday, Nine. Lucca,
in Hartford; "Wednesday, D Murska and Tamberlik,
matinee at Booths; Thursday, Lucca, in New
Haven; Friday Lucca, in Providence. and Satur-
day, Di Murska, in concert at steinway Hall.
Can We Have a First Glass Theatre at
Popular Prices.
There is general complaint among the theatres
that the recent panic has injured business but
among the amusement-lovlng public there Is an
equally general complaint that large body Of the
people practically excluded from first class en
tertainments by the high prices for admission and
reserved seats. There is q want in this city OF .
first class theatre giving first class entertainments
at prices within the means Of everybody The
clerks in downtown stores mechanics, laboring
men and small traders nearly all prevented
from seeing performances such as they would de-
sire simply because they cannot afford the
luxury OF night at the theatre. Just now
this class, which is very large one
in fact the largest in the city-is not to be counted
among the patrons OF our theatres. II a manager
could be found who would cater for these people,
giving them entertainments as perfect In every re-
spect as entertainments are now given In most OF
our places OF amusement, he would build up for
himself class OF patrons not drawn at all from the
regular theatre-goers OF the metropolis but even
more numerous and, because OF numbers, much
more profitable. We have no suggestion to make
TO any OF our theatres on the subject further than
to point out the TACT, we have already done, that
q vast majority OF our people are practically ex-
,~IAo af
The prices may be necessary to the success OF the
theatres generally, owing to the large salaries OBJ
tanned by artists and the enormous expense attend
ant upon giving public representations; but the
erect is to exclude large amusement-loving
class. The prices necessary to the theatres are
TOO ngn or toe mass OF me people Are
enough to supply this class with amusements at
prices which all can afford to pay2 We believe
such an enterprise would prove emlnently practi-
cable and successful, simply because 1t would be
Immensely popular. 1t Is common argument
the people what the people want. That which the
great body OF the people most want Is low prices.
Of this one trusm Believing that rst class
bringing out that immense multitude which
cess, we ask, who is there among our
though we think the manager who could respond
would find It Immensely to his interest to secure
TINS excluded class OF patrons II Is IN behalf o. the
an ordinary salary who desires to take his wife to
the theatre once week is compelled to pay
whole days wages for the evenings enjoyment
There is no theatre in the city arordnR entertain
ments satisfactory to az intelligent man SO circum-
stanced at a price which he can afford. IL IL the
battle OF such men that we are fighting, and we
hope argument may have the effect OF pointing
out to some OF our managers that there Is In this
city an element capable OF supporting popular
theatre doing everything in the best manner at
popular prices.
Musical and Dramatic Notes.
Mr.. Lester wallack will probably make mis- first
appearance at his own theatre this season In "Shc
Stoops TO Conquer"
This, 1t seems, is to be the last week OF opera at
the Grand opera House, and the dramatic CON-
pany will reappear on Saturday night in "Under
the (aslightu Tonight the theatre will be closed