The New York herald., 1874-05-06
MU s EN- E rs.

The long, brilliant season of Italian OPERA which
commenced in october last and closed definitely
last night, marks an in he lyric drama such as
may be regarded In the light OF permanent re-
form. The mat6r1e1 or the company was excellent
and the solo parts. chorus and orchestra all
showed rare enterprise and discrimination in pac-
ing each opera on the stage with as strong musl.
Cal ensemble as could be given. TIVE OF the operas,
"AYda" and "Lohengrin" showed still more re-
markable enterprise in furnishing the boards OF
the Academy OF Music with mise en- scene, with
which they were never before acquainted The
benefit last night presented four events-the
from the second act OF "Lucrezia BOrgia y in which
Mime. Lucca took part, and the shadow song from
s.Hamiet, u sung by Mile. Di MursKa In the "Frei.
schtltZu scene the dramatic talent OF NINE. Lucca
was displayed III its strongest light, and was well
supplemented by tine archnesS and vivacity OF the
Annchen, ''Die andere kiene Paulina,n Mile.
Canissa. The sensation o. the evening was the
SHADOW song and the last scene from Thomas
opera. Such vocalization ~ phenomenal, and
gale, it is ensireiy wlin,n the bounds Of
art 1t is electric in its effect upon an
audience. An interesting scene took place during
the performance III the presentation OF very
costly piece OF plate to Mr.. StrakOsch by the COM
pany. Nine. Lucca made the address, and
acquitted herself very admirably in her new role
OF orator.. The biushlng manager, forced to make
"a lew brief remarks" tnanked the public Tor
their generous appreciation OF his efforts during
the past season and hoped to eclipse IN the coming
season all that ne has heretofore accomplished.
Musical and Dramatic Notes.
Mr. Richard Dorney, the obliging and popular
chief usher Of the olympic will be rendered .
benefit May Is.
The third triennal festival of the Boston Handel
and Hay dn Society opened In that city last even-
ing. The oratori0 selected for the occasion was
'Judas Maccabeus," the sOl0ists being Miss
Wynne, Miss Cary and Messrs varley ana Whitney.
Thomas orchestra was the principal feature.
Mr.. and Mrs. W. J. Florence, the popular come.
dans, sail this morning on the Scotia for pro-
tracted sojourn abroad. They contemplate visit
to the Holy Land and other points of interest.
This will be their sixteenth trip. On their return
they will lulal engagements West, including one
of four weeks In San Francisco at McCullough's
Theatre.
musical ard dramatic entertainment will be
given by Miss Carrie A. McCollister to- night, at
Robinson Hall, for the benefit OF the poor of The
Nineteenth ward. Miss Dunois sings selections
from 'Aignon" and Mrs. Jackson an "Ave
Maria' by u. 81. Terrera. The evenings amuse-
ment will wind up With dancing, and it is to be
hoped the object OF the entertainment will attract
large audience.
Among the marvellous feats performed BY Her.
mann, the famous prestidigitateur, while in
London, was the production of live baby from
u
the audience Of the Egyptian Hall was wrought to
q state Of enthusiasm seldom witnessed in Eng
land. what adds to the strangeness of this feat
is the TACT that Professor Hermann uses no me.
chanical apparatus, all his feats are performed in
full sight Of the audience. His first performance
win be given on Monday, May II.
Mcssrs Jarrett Il Palmer do not take active con-
troll OF Booths Theatre hefOre August 10. Their
initial attraction viii be an entirely new local
drama from the pen OF Dion Bouccault. The au-
thor secured material for 1t before his departure
for Europe and promises that it will surpass in
interest and original effects his popular pieces.
founded on American Incidents, "The Octoroonu
and .streets OF New York" The efforts of the
managers are now being directed toward securing
a company that Will AFFORD phenomenal cast OF
characters.
Mr.. Stra lxosch Explains.
To THE EDITOR OF TIE HERALD:-
An editorial article which appears in your paper
OF this date on the subject OF operatc dement's ia
calculated to create iaise impression concerning
my dealings with the artistes employed by me.
The article in question conveys the idea that l
asked Nine. Nilsson to sing without rec0mpense on
the occasion OF my benefit, which takes place this
evening" Now, this statement iB calculated TO
prejudice the public mind against me- and as tt
has really no foundation, beg to INFORM you, and
through you the pubic, that have never asked
Nine. Nilsson or any other artistic to sing for me
without recOmpense.
In 50 far as relates to Nine. Nilsson, the facts OF
the case are as folloHs:-ar. D. Ktngsand, repre-
septlng committee OF gentlemen, wrote to Nine.
Nilsson, asking ir she would be kind enough to
sing at my benefit one act OF any opera Tor the sum
OF $1,000. This certainly cannot be considered as
giving ones time Tor nothing" Nine. Nilsson
thought well to refuse this offer IN letter In which
she gave expression to ideas similar to
those put forward tn your editorial artl-
justification. Az thesc statements are CAL
culated to prejudice me In the public esteem,
earnestly desire to ma Ke known the true state OF
the case. The generous patronage hitherto ex-
tended to me By the American people aud press
gives me reason to hope that shall never be COM
PEELED TO ask assistance from my artistes, and
take this opportunity to thank the press and the
public for the generous support they so constantly
extended to me during the very trying season
which has just closed. Believe me, with the high
est consideration, yours truly,
MAX STRAKOSCH.