The New York herald., 1873-10-14

A M u S E M E N T s +.
Italian opera-NiIsson,s Mignon.


most charming pastoral is the "Wilhelm Meis-
teri Of Goethe with its delicately mned characters
any one of which might inspire a lyric author with
ideas sufficient to sketch out an entire opera. The
story of "Mignon" is idyl OF beauty and poetry,
admirably suited to the operate or dra-
matte stage and, where the heroine has
such a representative as Nine. Nilsson
and the other characters are likewise nttingly
distributed in Mr.. Strakosch's splendid company,
success must necessarily follow such perform
ance. Such was the cast last night at the
Academy of Music. The Mignon of Nine. Nilsson
would be dramatic triumph, even without
the additional charm of her pure, fresh, crystal
like voice, the tones of which are penetrating,
because they always electrical In their express
sive effect. She looks and acts the character so
charmingly that the heroine Of Goethe is ever
before the eyes OF the audience and when
NJ Thomas affords her an opportunity TO make
use of her lyric powers, she breathes
such expression into the music as clevates
1t far above its true value. Without Mme Nilsson,
"Mignon' would, indeed be a very stupid affair.
Messrs. Carre and Barber, the lbrettists OF the
opera have done better than the composer. There
Is nothing dull or uninteresting in their work. The
action never ags and the interest is consequently
sustained from beginning to end. Mianon makes
her first appearance in the most picturesque man
ner. The gypsies file in procession across the
stage, and in their queer looking wagon. a real
curiosity in itself, the form Of Mignon, so child
like and beautiful, is seen, coiled up among
the blankets and bundles Of her Romany protec-
tors. When her master orders her to prance be-
fore the naughty Fina and the strolling players,
ut the village tavern, IN the ludicrous measure OF
the egg dance, the spirit Of the daughter OF
sunny italy rises in rebellion, and little barefoot
humiliation. All through this nrst act Nine.
tale twice told to speak Of the EXQUISITE address to
her native land In the aria, 'Kennst du das Land,u
and when she apostrophises the scene in the duet
Of the Swallows" with the harper, Lothario, her
charming Interpretation OF the scene brought I'm.
mediate and deserved applause.
In the next act the wcll known styrenne and
the miscellaneous music that dlversides the
coauetry and jealousy prevalent In the boudoir OF
Missions wonderful talent, and she was called out
again and again after the fall Of the curtain
The grand scene OF Jealousy and despair before
| the theatre In which Filina and her company are
the main attractions, and where the placid waters
OF lake invite to the repose that q suicide de-
Her dire resolve TO nre the theatre or her rivas
triumph was expressed with the power OF . Ristori
or Rachel In the last act act nothing could be more
| father and her home. Madame Nilsson's Mignon
Is idyl OF beauty and 1t occupies deservedly the
She has done more for the composer than ever the
| composer can do for her.
| Next to Nilsson the voice and acting OF Miss
Cary demanded attention. The role OF Federico is
| very SMALL but Miss Cary made it prominent
| feature OF the opera She has shown this season
| such degree OF improvement in every role she
| has essayed that nothing short OF hearty, unre-
| served praise must be accorded to her MT.
| Strakosch cannot boast ol more talented con-
| scientious or painstaking artist In his company
| than Miss Annie Louise Cary, The role OF
/ Pilina serves as q foil TO that of Mignon, and
Torriani achieved quite success In this role last
| night. She had one long, trying scena, the Polo
| In her brilliant rendering OF this taskng scene.
| unanimous encore caused her to repeat portion
OF it. Mile. Torrani, throughout gave the audience
an entirely new idea OF the character OF Flllna.
| Her success was OF the most emphatic kind, and
| never before In this country has the grand Polo
| naise been sung with such brilliancy and effect.
| Capoul Ia the only true Wilhelm Meister that we
have seen In this opera. II REQUIRES true French