, 1874-01-14

In the general ensemble OF the performance
Of " Martha there has rarely been better oue
hore. THIS WAS due to tile fact that there we're
no weak spots in it.. Not only the leading parts
were strongly cast, but the secondary roles
were also we'll filed For once, there we're
Tristan aud Sheriff On the stage who could
sing,-a Tristan. Who could both act and sing,
mud Sheriff who was not clown. Tie
chor1lseB also we're we'll given. and there was
conductor at the head of tho instrumental
force who knew how to give the tenpos as they
should be given, which added greatlyto the
effect, especially in the fair scene,
which WAS made very sprlghtly and Vi
yacious, even without the AID Of the pic
turesque and grotesquo appliances 80 often
set for it, AS rule, Muzio ia not spa1lng Of
the voices, but his exact tempos and his power
and decision Of lending, make splendid sup
port for them.
The representation was peculiarly interest,"
ing one, as it Was the occasion of the debut OF
Mile. Torriani. The reception which Was accord
ed her, AID the hearty applause which greeted
her during the evening were indicative OF 3 Sue
cess which will make her decided popular To-
vorite long before tho season is over. The fact
is one upon which she may we'll congratulate
II.
notwithstanding the fact that she had evidently
not recovered from her indisposition. She has
everything in her favor, you'll, freshness, q tine
figure, aud handsome iace. The opening
scene, which WAS q perfect picture OF lausuld'
ness and ennui, told what sllo WAS AZ an
close. in all the varying phases
Of naiyete, coquetry, qa1nestuess, and love, she
displayed keen appreciation Of the salient
points of the character and flue dramatic BILL
- ~ F|Ff1SHM HM!, a
quality, especially as to freshness and shows 3
good school. Tie middle voice is full and round
ed and the upper delicouHly beautiful and clear.
Tho only weakness iB on the lower notes, Which
are sometimes thin and lack strength to compete
with powerful orchestra In the rapid musical
Embellishments of tho first and second acts, her
voice displayed great fexibity. both in trilIs
and etaccato runs, the latter Of which Tere very
clear and crisp. Her principal number, "The
Last RoHe,'' although it nearly always fails
somewhat in effect WHEN sung IN Italian to an
American audience, WIS an exquisite piece or
vocalization, given without extraneous enbel-
lisAment and With passionate feeling and
quiet earnes1ness which were all the moro
effective, as get against Capouls domonstratlve
and vigorous love-maklng IN the same
scene. The encore was ono Of the hearticst
this fayofite number has ever received here.
nlle Torriani'5 debut may be set down as a
positive and unequivccal success, which Will be
even more pronounced when she has recovered
from her iudisposltion.
Hiss Cary was delightful Nancy. and played
and sang the part as If she had been accustomed
to it for years. There wore mono OF the usual
signs OF crudeness which appear IN the repre-
sel4tations Of beginners. Her music was sung
with perfect ease, and her etrong, rich voice has
never been more effective. III the dramatic
personat:on OF tho role, ALSO she Was arch and
mizchierous, and even rolGclaug, without occe
oyerstepplng the bounds Of genuine rehno-
ment.
Capoul is evidently a tenor who means bust
ness An electrical eel could not be more llvel:
or positive in its demonstrations than he. There
ia many tenor with such voice as his, who
would be tlat failu1e. His earnastness some
times ii carried so far that it becomes almost
amusing. There is nothing which be does, from
moving chair to making love which he does not
do all over, body and soul, and With sudden
ness Of preparation and nervousness OF manner,
which produce feeling of delightful uncertain
II as to tho result le is about to achieve. With
ont voice remarkable either for quality or
quantity, and matrsd BY frequent falsettos, and
With peculiar and indescribab1e physical man.
uerism in the use Of his voice. he ia neEeEthe-
| less an effective tonor with very telling points,
Love-making is evidently bis forte, as was shown
in the Rose scene, where he attacaed AidTltd
with an earnestncss and realistic passion eufi-
cient for R0oul, Faust Man11c0 aud Edgdrdo
combined. He Is cousu1n1nate actor in this
respect, with splendid dash likewise Of true
French viracity and absrdon. There is no dan
ger that the interest Will lag with Capoul on
the stage and there is no danger that be will
evor bo unwe1como to any audience.
S;guor Del Puente was an acceptable Plankeu
and sang his music very sincerely, hut he is not
I'D to the standard Of many Of the Ptu'sfetss
who laye been here before. The minor parts, AZ
We hive said befure, were well taken, and the
general performance was very commendable
and pleasing one.
Ihis evening Madame Nilsson will make her
frs. appearance in the 'Uuguenots," the cast
being as follows:
Valentine OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Nilsson
1r,rouertte .Maresi
Urbiuo Observation-Disclosures. Cary
Raoul .Campanini
Marcel .SauRetu
IA nrfe
IA Navern MARIA