New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-09-29
MUSIC.
OPENING OF THE OPERA SEASON.

The choice of LA Traviata y for the opening
night OF the would not seem to be specially
happy one but the manager Is not always master OF MS
programmes The prima donna Is entitled to select
opera her debut and II her for one
which has long lost good share OF ts attractions inc
public and the impresario must fam submit La IraVi-
alta Is not stale to have become nuisance but
the freshness has all worn off the poor tunes which we
once thought so pretty and the has no charm
OF It's own apart from the popularity OF the principal
singer II served however last night 10 exhlD avery
Dr ut and prepossessiDg little lady to great advantage,
and for say that we found the repre-
sentation unusually interesting The Ytofeta was MILE
Hebron aud the other characters were as
sumed by Sig. Benfratelli, Sig. del Puente,
Sig scoara, and Mr.. G.. F. Hall. Mile. Hebron
has voice of great beauty and thoroughly good, I'M
affected style. She is not phenomenal vocalist, nor
singer OF extraordinary magnetism but she is an artist
rich gifts and admirable culture who VIII probably
be liked Lore and the ofener she is heard Her
voice quite enough volume for the largest opera
house, and has peculiar carrying quality when makes
1t especially effective In the ensembles. 1t Is per
fectly sweet, perfectly clear, perfectly even. aud
above all sympathetic, having much Of the delicate
vibratory character which imparts such warmth and
pa,hos and is commonly found In the best mezzo
soprano voices than in those Of higher range This
valuable organ MILE HsilLcJ uses with most comfort
able facility and variaDs good taste suring no diff
everything so well that it ) not easy to select any
one number for special commentator, but we may
mention the "Parig, cara" as an example OF refined
and polished delivery too common on the American
stage To her gifts singer Nile Hebron adds per-
sona graces of inconsderabe value, and dramatic
abilities much above the ordinary Her
VioLeta Is marked by none OF the storm
and stress OF the Nilsson school; but 1t Is
truthful and well studied, and II 1t lacks little force
and passion critical scenes, the defect Is
not great One She the favor Of the house at the
very beginning of the first Act and her admirable death
must have greatly increased IT, II she has not
aroused Juror OF excitement, sne has made very
pleasant impression We presume she will be one Of the
favOrite members OF the company.
The tenor, Sig. BenfrateL, Is a slender young man
with a light yet rather powerful voice, thoroughly
agreeable in quality, flexible, and moderately sympa
thetlc Like the prma donna he sings with every APP
pearance of ease and his delivery of the voice is excel
lent. He made something like hit In the brindsi, but
n the more strenuous agony passages he fell little
short Of requirements OF the situation He is well
addition however to the troupe, and his value will
appreciated before the Sig del Puente
had very cordial reception. which he recognized by
singing with unusual force The rest OF the cast
satisfactory.
There was little opportunity In La Traviata " for
the display OF those Improvements IN dress, decoration
&C., upon which the manager has laid emphasis In his
prospectus. Scenery, costumes, and properties re-
NAMED about as before. In other respects however
there is thus early decided change for the
better Toe chorus about strong aud the orchestra
also numbering so, wore much carefully drilled
than usual and the whole performance delightfully."-
smooth and effective For first night this most
important omen. Sig. Muzlo Of course the
ductor