The New York herald., 1874-10-24
MU 8 E N E IS.
Italian Oper.-AIbani's Lucia

might indeed say, so enduring as that achieved by
Mile. Albani last night The merit OF the success
was all the greater when take into consldera-
ton the large number OF prominent artists who
have essayed the role both In this country and in
Europe. We met last night veterans in operate
experience who spoKe OF the first per-
formance OF the opera forty years ago at
Naples and to whom the nrst Lucia, PersIani,
was prlma donna such as 10 not heard nova
days When one glances over the list OF fame ON
which are inscribed so many celebrated names
Perstant B0si0 Frezzolini. Sontag. Catharins
Hayes, Dolores Nau, Jenny Lind, Piccolomini. Dt
Aurska. Kellogg, Nilsson. Ac.-a natural doubt
enters the mind as to the result OF the efforts OF
new Interpreter OF the woes and sorrows
OF tho Bride OF Lammermoor. Donizetu
does not appear to the same advantage
dramatically speaking. In this opera as In some OF
mis- other works but his melodies In It are richer
and more taxing The principal attraction-and we
might say the sole one-last evening was Mlle
Albanl When she first made her appearance
after Mme. Maretzek's harp solo "a very artistic
performance. by the Way, the young American
prima donna was received with heartiness and
enthusiasm tnat testified the appreciation OF the
audience or her grand success in Bellinls opera
on Wednesday night. The opening aria,
"RegnRya mel silenzio." In which Lucia
describes the vision OF the spectre OF the
indifference by represen OF the r0se was rem
dered by Mile. Albani with as much care, express
sion and dramatic power as even the nnal scene.
She acted the scene with the same effect az she
sang II. The cabaletta sQuand0 rapita IN estasi,"
was an idyi OF vocal beauty IN Its delicacy. Then
came the well known scene with Edgard0. which
closes the Arsr act and the purity Of the voice. the
sympatheuc tone. the nexibility and precision in
execution. rhe cear pnraslnX and the artess.
natvo acting VI the prlma donna combined to pie-
sent an operate portraiture tnat At once aroused
/ In the second act, the scene with her brother,
In which the unhappy Lucia becomes convinced OF
s,r,oc sr nmnn Was m vocal ana
spairing and desOate than the urterance OF the
words 'SohrIra mel pianto'-a watl over the romD
one OF the 6cst, II not the very oest.
OF the concerted pieces written By the
tcipants with sucn richness and iulness
! Of expression anu such thrilling effect
\ gulsh OF the bride 0. Lammermoor at the dlscoy-
cry Oi the fatal mistake sne made In listening to
the specious arguments OF her protne,, ana her
despair ut the pas8l3n 3nate reprOaches OF the Mas.
! ter o Ravensw00d, we're delineated with start
ling power tnat mas rarely been lelt on our ope-
ratio boards. When. repulsed ior the last time by
her enraged lover, Lucia slnks on the stage IN q
deathlike trance, tue action OF Mile. AlDant was
that Oi an accom- Dlished actress.
i But IN the mac scene the cnmax OF greatness In
thfs lmpers0nattOn as reached. After tile lear
in. scene in the bridal eoamoer, 50 graphically
low: Commencing win "l dolce saono mi sopi
acter OF the scene ls considerably marred
by the exuberance Of iorid vocaliza:
II. and although such music must appear puerlle
I when placed beside Verdl, MeyerDeer and Wagner
ous cnarac:er Q. the music ana the oppor unity
for Dravura display lend attractions TO tne general
pubic. Tue dream OF = marriage with the object
umph OF art with the Lucia OF last evening. These
charming passages with nute obngato
n,cesy ss Of exp4sason and around snsm wss
thrown an embroidery OF rortturt that onlv
dellcacy Of the aria. ..spargt d'amaro panto" the
expiring sigh oI broken heart. was well lre-
t6etic nature. a mobile Niissoa-Iike voice ana a
thorough. all sufficient school OF vocal training
alone can give. Ine Luci. Q! Mile A,oan. Is no
cessors on the boards OF the Academy OF MUSIC.
The audlence were OF the same opinlon, for they
clamOred for her at the end Of each act.
Signor Carpi sang the music Of Edgardo very
oomInendaDly and won deserved applause in the
bio spleaasiS sgndr Del Puente lett lett nothing 10
be desired in the role OF Ashton. Hts lne,
voice. many
strated In the most favorable manner.
But tne ne ,ts attention Of the audience Nv, was 80
Tor hem TO lend al ear to her asslstants IL was
great and unmlstakable triumph, and although
art Is cosmopolitan. we Diay be pardoned ior men,
tioElng the prIma donna as young American girl
who has In the course q very few years attained
position IN the lyric drama second 10 none.
| Matinees.
| WOODS MUsEUM.-Mlss Jennie Morton appears
in "Mab" at the matinee in this house to-day.
The FIFTH AVENUE THEArRR.-"M -"Moorcroft,n - the
latest American play of the season, will be given
at the matinee to-day.
BRYANr's MINsTRELs win be ready with song
and dance to amuse their patrons at Dams opera
House. at two P. N. precisely.
The THEATRE CoAIQUE-Harrtgan and Hart give
matinee performance to-day. The "Ss. Pstrick's
Day Parade" Will be the cnteI attraction.
NIBL0s.-The Spectacular drama, "rhe Delugen
with Miss Julie Seaman In the role or Satan, will
be the attraction at the matinee performance In
I this house. r.
/ WALLAcK'S THEATRE.-The first matinee per.
formance Of "rhe ROMANCE Of Poor Young Man"
/ will be given to-day, with Mr. Montague In the
| cast, at this house.
! PARK THEArKx-'The Gllded Age, still holds
its ground at tae Park Theatre. and gives no evi-
dence Of desire to move out. Colonel sellers
begins rea lily 10 hope that there are millions In it.
/ The matinee Is at two p M.
| BOOTHS THEArRE.-Miss Charlotte Cushman. it
is formally announced, will make her last appear.
ance as Queen Katharine, In "Henry the Eighth y
to-day at the matinee in this theatre. This Is an
event Of marked Importance to the dramatic
world. and will undoubtedly cause the attendance
Of an overwhelming audience. In the evening
Macbeth Will be given, one OF its features to be
the original music OF Matthew Locke, interpreted
by prominent soloists and an operatic chorus Of
100. The following Is the assignment Of characters
! In the play
/ Lady Macbeth. miss Charlotte Cushman
Mac0etn.. .Mr. George Vandenh0n
Macdun..... .Mr. Frederick b. Warde
r.. latO
Duncan. n........................Mr Edwin Sheppard
Rosse. .......................Mr .Mr Daniel Katon
Physician. Mr. Frank Little
FIRST MurOerer.... .Mr. EDWARD Hogan
ooCOuu - -
Gentle woman .................M Miss Emma Grattan
Hecate. ................. MISS Annie Kemp Bowler
First Witch. MIR. Charles LIE Clercq
Second Witch. Mr.. J. W. Brutore
Third WItch. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Miss Mary Wells