The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-23
AM u s E N E rs.
English Opera-s'Msrtha."

"A IA " ~ ~ "A "a ~ y
English Opera-ss Ma rtha.~
Fotow's work is probably the most charming
opera in any repertoire. 1t overn0ws with taking
melodies and even Its concerted pieces have found
their way into the parlor and concert hall. 1t Is
melody Of the most catching kind, from the rise to
the fall OF the curtain and with the general public
it has long ago become q fixed favorite. Musicians
look askance at its giittering themes on Of
the superficial character OF the instrume taton.
But with good quartet OF soloists in the principal
parts and fair chorus, orchestra and mise en-
scene the opera OF Martha" always commands at
tention. The distribution OF parts last night was
as oliows:-Martha, or Lady Henrietta, Miss Ke-
logg; Nancy, Mrs. Zelda Segun Lionel, MIR. Joseph
Mas; Plunkett. Mr.. G. f. Hall; Tristram Mr.. Ed
ward Seguln; Sheriff. Mr.. Bartieman.
The opera has been given in 80 many languages
and with so many casts in this city, and Is so well
known to the general public, that II Is extremely
difficult Tor new company to present 1t with
even tolerable hopes of creating marked impress
sion. When we are enabled to say that last
nights performance was thoroughly enjoyable and
ran smoothly, without single nartistic feature
to mar 1t, that may be considered az praise OF no
common kind. The music or the title roe suits
Miss Kellogg's voice and style exactly. Many
prime dome whose forte lies in tragic roles, and
who occupy the highest positions on the lyric
boards. are at fault in this pleasant
Its tripping measures are out OF their line. MISS
Kellogg last evening entered heartily into the
seriO-cOmic spirit OF the work and gave splendid
rendering OF the music OF Martha" Especially in
the Irish m eody which Flotow has so felcltously
mer." Miss Kellogg won well deserved APP
plause, and the redemand was unanimous.
Mr. Mas, the new tenor, resembles Castle wei very
much in voice and appearance, without the
throaty aectlon that marred that artists efforts.
The first duet II was helpless infant" ts0lO pro-
ntg0), placed him in . favorable light before the
audience, and in the well known solo, 'sShe ap-
triumph His voice Is light IN calibre, even in
tinsb''e, and has not in all its compass a disagree
able note is not sne voice Of great put
of Lionel. His acting, without being unduiy
demonstrative is graceful and easy, and his ap-
pearance Is very much in his favor.
MIR. Hail played the part Of Piunkett well and
lost not q point in the role which was written
symptoms of recent indispositon, and his render.
ing OF the music was crude and unfinished in some
Very enjoyable oarytone voice. but ne should en-
deavor to temper its exuberance OF tone when he
Is singing IN concerted numbers with others.
A charming companion picture TO Miss Kellogg's
Vlvacity, coqoetry and can are required
Ml, and those qualities MS Mrs. sesuin u'T pos
sesses in an eminent degree. Her voice ID
has produced. and seven years. experience on the
English opera stage, united to ready apprecia-
ton of all the requirements OF role, has made
this artistic general favorte with the public. The
chorus and orchestra gave no reason to cavtl at
thus important department OF an opera. The men,
lately been accustomed to at the Academy Of
Music, but the material was excellent 1t ID
%
END was IN strict accord, and that the perform
ance not great va Ne entirely agreea0le MAIL
title role
Musical and Dramatic Notes.
Sensationansm is said to have gained footing
in the Theatre Francais and the best traditions Of
that theatre are nightly set at naught in Emile
Augier's patriotic drama 'Jean de ThOmmeray."
Miss Cushman will tomorrow afternoon con-
Guide at the Boston Music Hall her present series
OF readings in that city. Between her interpreta-
ton OF the various selections Master Walker, the
pianist, has played.
The "Piccanlnnies" are to remain at Robinson
Hall for only few days longer. They give per-
formances every afternoon at three and every
evening at eight. The feature OF the entertain
ment at present is q new operate buresque, en-.
titled "The Somnambulist."
Mr.. J. Z. Murdoch will this evening give read
ing at Association Hail. This distinguished actor
and reader is so widely and justly esteemed that
the announcement that this reading will be the
only one he will vouchsafe during the present sea-
will be more than sufficient to insure q dstin-
guished and delighted audience.
The fashion OF old folks concert troupes Is reviv-
ing as was Illustrated by the size and interest Of
the audience in Steinway Hall on Wednesday
evening. There may not perhaps be much that Is
musical in such an entertainment, but 1t belongs
to that safe class Of amusements which do not bring
the blush to the cheek OF the young person. and It
Is, therefore, refreshing to see the patronage OF the
New York pdteydmilias tending that way.
An observant attender upon the Italian dramatic
performances that recently took place at the New
York Academy Of Music must have remarked that
when the extremity Of rapture or agony was TO be
expressed the Italian artists employed the very
picturesque and poignant trick or biting the thumb,
as though the emotion sought to be conveyed were
quite beyond the reach OF words. The effect was
powerful, and the habit Is one OF the peculiarties
OF the foreign stage.
larger lectorium than the one now used
Will shortly be opened at the Colosseum.
At present Professor Tobin is obliged
to lecture to audiences by instruments,
and when the audience coming from the
lectorium encounters the one waiting to enter
the corridor Is impossible The new and larger
lectorium will remedy this difficulty. The arrival
OF the Darwinan orchestra. the African nute
player and the mammoth band Is daily expected.
Messrs. Wieniawskl and Maurel will give con-
certs at Steinway Hall on Monday and Tuesday
evenings next The programme for Monday will
include the overture king stephan" by Beetho-
ven; Haydn's aria 1.-THE Seasons" Vieuxtemps
concerto, A minor, op. S; Liszt's Rhapsode Hon.
groise; the Lenore symphony OF Raj; an adagio
from Rubinstein ana concerto by Wieniawski (;
grand aria from "Dinorah," and selections from
Wagner's Flying Dutchman." Both Mr. wieni-
awskt and Mr.. Maurel will interpret two selections