New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-09-30
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.
MUSIC.
OPENING OF THE OPERA SEASON.


The scene last night at the Academy OF
Music exactly what might have anticipated
from the known popularity OF Madame Nilsson In New
York A great multitude Of enthusiastic people bore
patiently the heat and discomfort OF the oyercrowded
theater watched every scene with Dredetermnation
be pleased. and called out the prma donna and
again with every manifestation Of cordially There
perhaps very sensational display OF the popular wei
but was evident that Madame Nilsson has not
lost her place In the Of this public by her eighteen
months absence she comes back great pet
when she away
Mr. strakosch judged pretty well OF the temper Of his
patrons for he trusted almost entirely 10 Madame
Nilsson for the prestige OF his opening night 10 IA I'M
derstoOd that he has a much stronger
pany than before. but he did not think 10
worth while to show its strength for tho
beginning. The opera was well one.
aud the cast offered special attractions except Of
in particular. La Trayiaa' has this
incubation, that It presents Nilsson in OF her
famous, and, all things considered. OF her beat
roles. Her ViOletta IL intensely interesting per
sonstion, conceived in true artistic spirit. and
showing a dramatic consistency very rare on tho
operate stage. In her hands the character gradually
unfolds and elevates itself, the poor woman Of
pleasure. touched by the purifying influence OF true
selfsacrfcing love, rises out Of the misery Of thu
gay world into the light OF penitence and
death II is inexpressiblv touching and genuine IL
has hardly a trace OF the false sentimentality which
disngures so much OF Madame WILSON'S acting. Even
the vocaisn is simpler and purcr than she sometimes
allows 1t to be- She sang last night with unusual
spirit and strength. II her voice has undergone any
change since we heard her before 1t has probably
gained something in fulness and purity We speak with
some reserve however, this point, for in the music
of VioIela it was always heard to particular
advantage. In tho first part of the opera, how
ever her execution Of the music careless.
She began the All fOrs' ui badly, and the "Sempro
liberia" ended in sort Of wrange between her aud the
conductor and terrible confusion generally. Il waz
not indeed until the Of the opera that she seemed
TO apply to the score the fine artistic intelligence
which she devoted all through to the text
NJ Capou, who took the part OF ALfredo. was cor
daily welcomed, and conducted himself with becoming
energy. We should say IN fact that with two formda-
bic rivals IN New-YOrk, he felt himself on
his mettle, and the result one Of thu
most passionate lovers that any young lady could
desire. That OF course exactly what the people
liked TO see and his Alfredo accordingly accepted
withou. reserve and abundantlY applauded. NJ
CapouIs style OF singing Ia very. bad ono.
but in that style, such as it is, he certainly
excels. The GermOnt was new baritone.
Sig del Puente whom the foreign papers last season
gave good accounts. He hardly justified the expeota
tons that had been formed OF him, though he win
doubtless prove useful member Of the troupe.
His voice is or moderate compass, ana
not at all sympathetic but 1t strong ana
pleasant and his appearance is prepossessing. HIS
method Is crude and his delivery Of the voice imperfect
OK the rest there nothing be said. We know by
long and bitter experience how the minor parts
are always filed in New York. and how wretcneh
and weak the chorus always Is notwithstanding COCA
sonal delusive additions to its number The stage was
carelessly set and the appointments were both made
quate and inappropriate In the orchestra however led
by Sig Muzio there was a marked improvement. Much
OF the playing was notably good, although the con
ductor has not yet established that perfect understand
ing with his singers which only come by practice
The faults last highland IN one instance they almost
amounted to a disaster-were the result OF want VI
| tehear5als.