The New York herald., 1873-10-18
ITALIAN OPERA.
"Ernani" .t tho Academy OF Mn

"Ernanp' At tho Academy OF Music.
Mr. Strakosch made departure last night from
the beaten track, which has been pressed down for
many seasons past to such an extent that novelty
has become wonder in opera or all verdi's works
"Ernanln perhaps, engages the largest share OF
attention on account OF the magnincent model
on which 1t Is based the drama OF victor
Huco's celebrated work. 80 long prescribed In
Paris for political reasons. The history OF this
opera Is ull OF interest. Represented for the rst
time at La FENCE, Naples, IS43, with the follow
ing cast:-Elvira, Nine. Lowe; Ernani, signor
Guasco; Don Carlos, Signor Superchi; silva, Signor
Selva. 1t became at once grand success, despi'e
the weakness OF the cast Since then it has
been one OF the best OF verdis operas to test the
calibre OF a company. We have seen Bosio, Grazani
and Marini In il at Covent Garden, and In, this
country Elyra, Ernani, Silva and Carlo have been
represented by the greatest artists AT Castle
Garden and Niblos, Stenanone Bettini, Badiah ana
Marini were pitted against Tedesco, Saivl Bene-
ventano and Marini lthe great basso played
alternately at each house,. Later came
Lorini, Whiting Fabbri Medori, zuccni
and Agatha States IN the role OF the prima donna;
and in the other parts we have had Stlgei' MAJ
zoleni. Ferri, Ben. Amodio and Biachi. me
Germans are fond OF this opera, a high tribute 10
Verdi as 1t has been standard work in the repeT-
toire OF the Hofopernhaus at Vienna.
The performance last evening was distinguished
more for Its perfection OF ensemble than any
undue prominence on the part OF any Of the artists
who appeared. We may, however, mention one
excepuon-M. Maurel, who invested the role
OF Carlo Quint0 with musical Importance which
In itself might be sufficient to insure the success
OF any opera, according to the present style OF
measuring lyric works by individual excellence
The representation OF "Ernani" proved one thing
incontestably. Mr.. Strakosch has attained the
ultima thule OF impresarii the desired point
about which we have for years been speaking. he
can give an opera in Its entirety, with complete
harmony and fitness in every detail. This is the
true idea OF OPERA and is the best calculated to DO
Justice the composer and to give pleasure to the
ms c tba pate pTse in D
sense is due to Mr.. Strakosch for inauguratlng IL
even al this late hour.
The music OF .'Ernani" never grows dull from be-
ginning to end. Verdi has been charged with sem
satonalism in music, but he has one great quality,
and that Is OF keeping up the interest In dramatic
situation, no matter how complicated IL may be,
by his talent in placing such situation In tho
Ii he be not the Shakespeare OF music (that
Is Mozart he is at least the lyric B0uctcault.
"Ernani" commences with brilliant chorus, not
effective 1t gave favorable IDEA OF the conscien-
tous work OF Signor Muzio. This conductor
has had the good fortune to number among
his orchestra such Philharmonic virtuOsi as
Matzke, Bergner, Pfeiffenschneider and others
in the string department, and although
occasionally there are unfortunate escapades on
the part Of the wind instruments (when Will those
tantaizing flutes, oboes, clarlonets and oassoons
must confess that for hall dozen seasons past we
have had no such orchestral playing IN an orcnes-
ira Us under the baton OF Signor Muzio.
The details OF the opera last night, represented
by the following cast were as follows :-Elvira.
Maure; Maui 0sa silva Nannetti. The small parts were
admirably filed and the traditional singers from
avenue were not present ior wonder: me
in such fine cast was admissible, was the barry
tone, Maurei.
From first to last he was the object OF attention
There was nothing particularly kingly about his
make up in the character OF the great Emperor.
but his magnltcent voice and MS "at nomeness"
pepsated or deficiencies IN minor details. The
@ anss & ns n}s Sr saaT
the the voice Of NJ. Maurel: In the nne music
that falls to the part Of Carlo 9naso this artist
audience and the management may be proud Of
such an acquisition to the Nilsson company.
whose hose rendering OF the title r0le displayed
his pure Italian voice and excellent school,
Ssii Verd has gwen IN THIS opera ample opportun-
ties for the tenor to make an effect, Campanni.
albeit he was not IN his best voice. made many per-
ceptible effects. This Young tenor has fresh
equal voice, and 1t Is something delightful to hear
him. after SO much meretricious French ornamental
i
Mile. Toriani sang the music OF Elvfra delight
fully but her youth and comparative inexperience
detracted somewhat from what we would call an
emphatic success. This was apparent in the be-
ginning in the grand but seldom satisfactory aria,
"Ernani involami."
Every concert singer OF high soprano proclivl-.
ties and myriad OF amateurs essays this aria but
few can make 1t success. Later In the opera
Mile. Torriani made deeper impression, and her
fresh, young voice, so flexible and true, brought
applause from the cold audience Of the Academy.
Nannetti achieved genuine triumph. His "In-
felce" was delivered with expression and feeling,
and the stern old hdalgo could not have nner rep
resentative on the modern boards. The universal
opinion last evening in the foyer was that better
representation OF ''Ernani" has not been
given since the Academy Of Music was founded.
When every detail Is attended to- from
the cast down to the chorus, there can be nothing
short OF hearty commentator of the impresariO
who ventures upon such an experiment. II is rare
that critic cannot pick iaw In an operate per-
formance. The first representation OF ''Ernanir
by the Strak0sch troupe is an exception. Hence
we may look for good things in the future.
Musical and Ora attic Notes.
cable telegram from Paris states that the
Italian Opera season there, lust opened under the