The New York herald., 1873-10-29
AxUsENENrs.

Academy of Musfc-First Opera Concert.
Mr. Strakosch's nrst essay to establish this
. series OF concerts In connection with the
opera, similar to those at Floral Hall ana Albert
Hall, london. met with encouraging success last
evening The emptiness OF the boxes was moro
than compensated for by the large audience In the
parquette and dress circle, and q few OF tho
artists who appeared were hOnored with recalls, q
recognition OF merit which Is seldom granted BY
an Academy audience. With the sole exception OF
Nine. Nilsson, every artist belonging to the
Strakosch company appeared. The concert COM
menced with the "Tannhauser" overture, rather
too ambitious work for the caibre Of the
orchestra. conducted on this occasion by Mr..
s. Behrens The materials In this band are ex-
cellent and little preparation in the shape or
rehearsal or two before the concert might have
placed them in very favorable light. In two of
the vocal numbers they completely swamped tho
singers In tidal wave OF brasses and reeds. The
fantastic introduction TO ''Dinorahn tie Pardon de
PloermeD, with the pretty effect OF the "Sancta
Maria," sung by the chorus behind The scenes and
Mendessohn's ever fresh wedding march were
gwen with satisfactory spirit and finish, the only
tae SarHs 0s tine undue %
written for Gris Rubin, Tamburim and Lablache,
BadIo and Marlni closed the first part OF the pro-
gramme. 1t was rendered with effect by Maresi,
weakness Of the lady's voice beside the full,
rounded tones OF the tenor. The chief feature OF
tne evening" however, was the magnificent rendt-
tlon or the great aria Eri tu,n from 'sThe Masked
Ball. by M. Maurel The nobility OF the voice. the
spirit and expression Of the delivery and thol
high intelligence shown in the interpreta-
ton OF this trying aria. all testified to the
completeness = the art OF M. Maurel. Capoul's
singing OF "M'appari" is too well known to
opera goers to need an additional word in Its
praise at the present day. IL received an over
whelming cnchore. Miles. Cary, Maresi and TOrrI-
ami sang in selections from Rossinl Verdi Bellinb
and Thomas, and Sgnor Del Puente created very
favorable impression In the brindis, from "Ham-
let.n. NannettI essayed "La Calunna,n from "The
Barber OF Seville" but without any particular sue
cess. After Mme Nilsson the chief strength OF the
Strakosch troupe rests in the two baryt0nes.
Maure Is second to none on the stage to-day, and
1t would be worth Mr. Strakoschs while to bring
out 'Un Balo,n to give this artist an opportunity
to sing "Eri tu" with It's proper surroundings.
The absence OF Instrumental solos gave the con-
cert a monotonous character which detracted
much from the individual excellence OF the vocal
members. We have IN this city at present pianists
and volinists occupying very high positions In tho
artistic world, and they would prove OF incalcular
BILE benefit IN an opera concert programme
made up wholly of vocal selections becomes neces-
sarily tiresome. Had such works as Vieuxtemps'
"Balad and Po0nalse," the Henseil concerto or
Chopin concerto been on the programme last
night the attractions would have been increased
hundred fold. The management should take this
into consideration at the next concert