New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-10-07
MUSIC.
ITALIAN orERA-rAMpERLIK AND LUCIA.
Her- York. Oct. G. 1873.

ITALIAN OPERA-TAMBERLiK AND LUCIA.
The opening of Mr. Maretzek's series OF
performances at the Grand Opera House was more ~
teresng in some respects any other musical event
Of tho season. sgnor Tamberlik who last Dight made
mis- frat appearance in America has long ranked as ono
Of the few really great singers OF age. The most
extfavagant stories told OF bis successes IL Lon
DON Paris, st. Petersburg, and Madrid' ana
tie most Of them undoubtedly are true, for
he has been in his time one OF the most
magnetic OF artists. voice or phenomenal
purity and strength and compass, a style remarkable
both for polish and yigor. fine manly presence an IN
falJle dramatic nstinct,-these we're among the most
conspicuous gifts Of the iusIi0us singer who kept alive
for this perverted generation the noble TRADITIONS OF
school now vanishing off the face OF the earth III
was that large audience or conn0isseurs shouh
assemble TO witness his first appearance in New
York, aud we choose to believe that largo
part at least OF the suspicously prompt
and unanimous applause which greeted hs entrance
was a genuine tribute Of respect 70 q man whom the
true lovers OF music bound to honor The opera was
"Pohuo" and tho role OF the hero understood to DO
one OF Tamberlks favorte and most congenial part'
What beautiful picture he presented Of the Christian
convert, in his flowing hair and loose robes
every gesture simple but majestic, every move
ment full of grace and Life. He was not
the devotee with bowed mead and folded arms bat
the ardent disciple. all ahame with the fro VI seacr
Gee ana the glorious ambition OF martyrdom How
-lbtly no indicated this character with few impercep
tble touches how carefully he preserved the Illusion in
every word in every look in every stop despair u
making those who have not seen him understand. 1t
was a magnificent piece OF acting. long to be renem'
bero.i
u bis psng it has always been the custom OF Sgnor
TIsrk 10 elecf,ir, ~, bearers by superb outbursts
OF eloQuence in Tue critical Situation, OF tue opera
custom for which his clear sonOrous, hlgh,.achins
voice him especial faolties But in everything
lie IS conscientious singer. and in oaBtBslo passsEes
he must have been in his time a rival, perhaps Of
Mario but of many another artist who has sSng away
the hearts OF women. Eyon his method IL an al
mirable study, and his phrasing is Almost
perfection. 1t is just as well, however. " ieH
the plain truth at once about his voice; tim
Is sadly decayed During tho greater part OF the
ing it seems hardly 20 answer TO the artists will Vow
and then there sweet and tender tones which 70
right 10 the heart and whole phrases delivered With
the smoothness and freshness Of youth; but Signoy
Tamberlik il obliged TO husband his
resources with an unpleasant amount Of
care the voice has lost It's grateful
quality; and the p6rdto sometimes passes almost be-
yond control There three four passages the
opera last night where the fire of which have heard
much blazed forth FOR few mOments-the duet in
first Act the famous finale in the second Act o. Credo
bio ~" the exultant duet with Paolina third e.
del arpe angeche y but these tful Examinations
only served to show more distinctly the surrounding
ruin. That SgnOr TambeTliks debut was q failure
far from saying In spite of every drawback there
remain such brilliant evidences of what he has been
and there Is 50 much grandeur still in what he is that
those who appreciate genuine art will follow him with
respectful interest If not with unalloyed pleasure
AS for the PaolG there is danger OF giving her
too much praise We have fully realized tho
wealth Of Madame Lucca's voice did last night
There is abundant opportunity In "Pouto" for the dis
play OF such natural resources hers, aud ns
need OF that which she sometimes forgets
practice where there is call for it. She poured out
the music in magnificent volume that seemed to taxa
her warmest admirers by surprise and the great
prison OF the third Act she certainly ecpsed the
Poiiuto We need hardly say that sho received
with the utmost cordially.
For the rest Of the performance few words will suf
flee. The Sevsro baritone, Sig Mari. He has
been well IN the IalRn school Of which the bari
tone Bellni OF the most recent disciples this
city, is not in good repair and he made
decided impression. Sig Reyna succeeded in making
tho prosecuting priest Jupiter utterly odions TO aght
and hearing sig. Bussi was much more efficient
second tenor than we commonly find. The chorus was
strong unframed and tho orchestra the worst
we have heard In Italian opera FOR number of years