New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-04-07
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.
MUSIC.

MUSIC.
INA DI MURsKA.
The performance at the Academy Of Music
last night calls for notice scarcely as an OPERA but
rather as the exhibition Of one great singer. Under
ordinary circumstances entertainment Of such
character. coming close after the opera In its most
severely artistic form contrasting strongly svery
point with really memorable series OF representations
would not have been justified Indeed the introduction
OF company which contains so many very bad singers
az this one must be regarded at any time enter
prise OF great daring. 1t would have been sad pity,
however, II Nine. lima di Murska had closed
her adventurous American tour without appearing
upon the chieiest Of the few stages in the
United states really worthy OF her powers. Neither
at the Grand Opera House nor at the Lyceum Theater
did she ever sing to that public upon which Italian
Opera depends for support We must welcome her COM
ing therefore. to ryng-pace though she comes with
yerati as tenor, and RosslGali as baritone, with
chorus that makes but tho fanest preense Of knowing
how to sing, and band that is too small to be termed
orchestra To tell the truth we are not sure that Mr.
MaretzeRs arrangements not good for the
sion as any ne could make. D Murska is like solitaire
diamond that shows to greatest advantage when it has
no other setting than a bit OF apparatus for keep
ing 1t In place. We enjoy her most when attention
is fixed exclusively upon her amazing yocazltion and
mind is not disturbed by an interest IN the progress
OF the drama or by any suggestions OF sentiment in the
music with these things Madame di Murska does not
essmiate. In company OF performers heartily coop
Grating toward the dramatic development OF idea.
she would be out OF place. She not actress. Her
gestures and motions without significance, her fea
lures are without expression. Nor have ever
cause to believe that she ia any more sensible of
the poetical character OF the music than of tho
meaning Of tho words She Is entirely Unconditional
She is simply yocalist-the most phenomenal vocalist
perhaps now living and it is just well not to
tras her with singers who, without her technical
compshments surpass her in depth OF feeling and deli
cacy OF appreciation. It Just as we in listening to
her. to forget the story OF the Soanambul1 and the
grace OF Bcllnis pretty melodies And certainly, with
such an EUino ana Rudolfo We could forget anything.
There never was company better fitted than this to
lu the imagination to profound repose. Reyna AMI
Mari may now and then runlo the public temper
with momentary anger, bat the rest can
DO depended upon never to awaken
spark OF interest in human bosom. They servo their
purpose as humble satellites revolving about the
bright star Of the evening and the public bears with
them because she has for their action and their
voices. In fact TO an artist OF the class TO which D
Murska belongs an opera ia nothing but arrangement
of musical forms for the convenient exhibition OF nd
ydua proficiency. The libretto is of value except
supplies syables that euphonious and of
articulation and the subsidiary characters Of no
sequence except as they give the prma donna excuse
for coming on the stage ana going OF again. and ill up
tho harlnonies IN the duets, trios and ensembles.
In this school OF opera ID Nurska IS probably the most
brilliant singer of our time She takes tho simple fabric
OF melody the composer has for her. and
it with a marvellous embroidery OF ornament Every
graceful device that the ingenious fancy
ceve is wrought upon IL until we arc dazzlcd by the
spendor OF the exhibition Aud yet the melody is never
injured by an over profuson Of embellishment. The
rhythmic regularity is never disturbed The ford and
abundant characterization Is always in good taste One
night well believe that Belni intended his Apina to
startle the world with the very feats of
vocalism which called forth the enthusiasm OF the
house many times last night-they all seemed
to spring naturally out Of the musical text We never
heard "a singer who produced the most difficult passages
this kind with such apparent ease. It s doubt
one OF the secrets OF ID MurskIs ndcscrbabe fascn
ton that, unlike CarlottI Patti, PeschkaL,utner and
Others OF that class she invites attention to her
most wonderful achievements, and never seems to ex
pect appliance when she has finished. Although her
general style OF singing remarkable for repose,
she reached the very of facility in all
ner Of ford music and marves OF execution seem la her
mouth to be perfectly simple and natural. She
usually profuse thought last night III scattering the
Jewels of her art and there also unusual variety
In the gtterng display.
The house was not FULL but there good audience
anu he applause was hearty and abundant.
BENEFIT OF SIG. CANPANINL
Sig Campanni will have n benefit at the
Academy OF Muse on the 2lst OF April, Immediately
after the Of the Srakosoh company to this oy
1t will be in respects most interesting entertain
ment Nilsson Lucca. and TOrraGi all taking part In IT,
the first appearing Act OF the Huguenots," the
second in one Act OF "La Favora," and the third in
one Act Of 'Iagoletto" and one Act of Aida"