The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-24

| The most popular of wailace's works was given
last night at the Academy OF Music with the follow
| ing cast mariana, Mrs Jennie Van Zandt;
LazarilO, Mrs. Zelda Seguin; Don Cesar de
Bazan, Mr.. MILFORD Morgan; Don Jose, Mr..
| G. +. Hall. The house was very full
one, showing the appreciation OF the New
York public Tor English opera when properly pre-
sented The performance as far as real merit
was concerned was confined to the EFFORTS OF Mrs.
| Van Zandt and Mrs. Seguin, who achieved q sue
cess OF the most fattering KIND. The Mantana OF
the evening, who had to contend against the
"reminiscences OF the greatest representative OF the
| role we have ever had in this city, poor Parepa,
whose memory will never fade in the minds OF
| English operaQoers, created an impression moth
ing less than that which Miss Kellogg left in the
roles OF Lucia and Martha. The well known airs
entrusted to the soprano were interpreted by Mrs.
Van Zandt in truly artistic spirit Mrs. Seguin's
LaxarlnO il too well known here to need
| extended comment. Her success last night
was OF the most emphatic kind Mr.. Morgan
bears the closest resemblance to Mr.. Castle OF any
artist heard in this city, but IN his render
ing OF the well known song, "Let me like soldier
fall," he Jailed to reach that artists standard OF
excellence. His efforts in the earlier scenes OF the
opera were not satisfactory, but as ne warmed up
to his work he regained considerably what he lost
at his first appearance. His acting of the
character Of Don Caesar was full OF spirit and comic
numor, ana M ms voice had neen
have been complete. But he failed to supply the
vocal requisites OF the roe and some OF the best
voice is agreeable In tone, but the style is
rather crude and unfinished. Mr.. Hall
was a decided failure in the Mephistopheean char
acter OF Don Jose. There not one redeeming
quality about his impersonati0n. The other roles
under Mr.. HowsOn's direction were admirable.
Mrs. Van Zandt and Mrs. seguin were the princi-
Of Tse soheman GRIP W oe v.n
with Miss Kellogg In the title role.
Mr.. Murdoch at Association Hall Last
Evening.
stranger entering Association Hall last even.
ing lew moments after eight O'Clock might have
imagined tnat the opening prayer had Just been
uttered and that the text was about to be
nOunced. The somewhat clerical appearance
which characterized Mr.. Murdoch when he last
appeared in public in this city as a
reader has deepened with the process Of
time There is more silver in his hair perhaps
there Is little more silver in his speech, and
tainly there is melower and gentler light upon
his features. Mr.. Murdoch is one Of those lew
artists who equally safe retirement and
upon the stage. While he Is in the one he is never
forgotten, and when he returns to the
other the public always proves that he
has been remembered. Ibis was the last
night. Although the announcements had been
few and brief much larger audience than that
which usually assemblies on the occasion Of an en-
tertainment at Association Hall was convened
portions o. the gallery, was occupied, and II the
reception woTa mot hearty as that
remember that the majority of the audience was
composed Of those who DO not frequent the drama
through his reputation The programme prepared
was long enough to occupy pleasantly two. hours.
lers fine poem OF "The Divers" several scenes
from "Hamlet." illustrative OF the specua:
one of the small stories embodied in sThe PICK,
wick Papers," and describing Tom smart's expert
ence Win she troa
chiefs revenge, and the very amusing chapter in
which the r7.se Is described by means Of which JOB
time had deprived MIR. Murdoch of an iOta
uar IN the lecture room on the stage. The task
which pubic reader sets himself is difficult
one-mOre difficult in some respects than that OF
an actor. He has not only various climaXes to
WORK up, but the climaXes are distinct in material
rounding and making symmetrical one Identity,
as the actor during single evenings work is re.
10 an me to TO
Of compile to EACH HIS representations diff |
fer as much in kind as in degree. ana the more
diversified his programme the greater the
docn was most successful were those which
were devoted to the soliloquies and long speeches
OF Hamlet, the two poems that we have mentioned |
and the Job Trotter episode He is not by any |
means what could correctly be called picturesque
norid reader. HIS action is never so theatrical |
that we forget the absence OF scenery and costume.
gus so is his SO ns
fine and true and his reading 80 careful that |
the impression lett upon the appreciatOrs memory |
is as incisive as an intagO. In interpreting the |
scene between Hamlet and his mother he was least |
successful, because he is not many-voiced, like |
Mrs. Kemble, and failed to sustain thoroughly the
identities by changing the pitch Oi his voice. The |
description OF Tom Smart's experiences with the |
and it is scarcely surprising that Mr.. Murdoch |
should fail In giving to the episode ascinauon |
state that the reading Of last evening the only
one Mr. Murdoch viii give in This city during the
present winter: We hope this Is not the case;
and, If 1t Is not we venture to entreat various |
young men, who. we hope, do not constitute |
the saplings and underbrusn of the associ-
motionless at their several standing points,
or to stay away altogether during the next read |
nuisance to every one within six yards Of the
doors: They talked, they whispered, they stalked
generally In rather an unchrlstlan spirit-a fault
which may possibly be forgiven to their youth. |
1t was very easy to get fifty cents worth OF them,
but not, In their company, to get fifty cents worth
OF Mr.. Murdoch.
Musical and Dramatic Notes.
A resurrection of LA Grande Duchesse de Gerol-
stein" was celebrated last evening at the Terrace
Garden Theatre.
Bret Harte has prepared new lecture on
american Humor." He will deliver it at Asso-
cation Hall on Monday night.
II is calculated that Miss Lucille Western pulls |
the fringe of ffty-twO shawls per year as an ex-
preston Of remorse in Lady Isabel and Nine. Vine.
The first English opera matinee OF the season
will be given at the Academy OF Music to-day.
.The Bohemian Girl" will be offered, with MISS KEEL
logg in the principal role.
Mr.. Theodore Thomas third symphony concert !
occurs tonight at Steinway Hall. Mr. Maurel Will
sing twice. We have already mentioned the other
features of the excellent programme.
A succession Of German dramas is being indus
trious!y produced at the Germania Theatre, under
the dictatorship Of Mr.. Neuendorff. Gruber's |
''Der Meneidbauer" was brought out last night.
The managers Of the Colosseum object to exhib-
iting "London by Day" by foglight, and will there.
lore for the present display Paris by moonlight,