The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-27
A NJ U s E NJ E N T s.
English Opera-

A NJ U s E M E N rs.
English Opera-"EIarriage OF Figaro"
The second week OF the Kellogg troupe opened
ausplcously last night, at the Academy OF Music,
with very fair rendering of Mozarts comic
opera. "Ihe Marriage OF Figaro" presented with
the following cast:-Susanna, Miss Kellogg; the
Countess, Nine. Jennie Van Zandt; Cherubno,
Mrs. Zelda Seguin; Marcena, Miss Starbrd; Bar
barino, Mrs. Gonzales; the Count, Mr. William
Carlton; Figaro, Mr.. Henry Peakes: Antonio, Mr.
Edw. Seguin; Don Basllio, Mr.. w. II. Tila; Don
Bartoo, Mr.. Thomas Bartleman.
The performance was a smooth one, as far as the
principal artists were concerned, and fully up to
the standard OF the Italian representations OF the
same opera at this house. Miss Kellogg seemed 10
enter into the spirit OF the intriguing and coquet-
tisn ladys maid and gave unalloyed satisfaction in
both acting and singing. The Countess OF Nine.
Van Zandt was no less attractive, the celebrated
duet In the third act, "Ine Zephyr ISL partd),
being so well rendered by ner and Miss Kellogg as
to bring with 1t an overwhelming redemand
one In which she creates the most pronounced
success, Is that OF the tantallzng page. Mr. Carl
ton was In better voice than at ms debut last
week, having recover ed from his recent illness,
and Mr.. Peakes acted the part Of the married bar
Der admirably, although his deep bass voice was
not exactly adapted to the music. The peculiar
comC tone OF Mr. Tila's voice, which would be de-
structlve OF other roles, gave effect to the music
OF the meddlesome singing master, and the old
gardener had an excellent representative in Mr.
seguln.
it may appear heretica, but it is nevertheless
an undenable assertion, t4at the TWO great lyric
works OF Mozart, 'Don Juan aud Figaro" do not
at present hnd favor with the American public
when presented IN large theatre. They are
essential, parlor operas, aud as well adapted to
the boards o. the Academy as would be chamber
music works lntei preted by the 100 Instrumental
lists OF the Philharmonic Society. The nuances and
deicacies OF expression. the mafquetry, il we may
borrow tefm from the cablnetmakers art and
the ever shifting, and olttmes scarcely defined
changes In the character OF the muse, are neces-
lily lost IN big bul!ding like the Academy. Sup
pose MIR. Wallaok should quiz his cosey little
theatre Tor the opera house many OF the
finest and most delicately hmned features Of
his acting would be lost on the vast stage of the
Academy. SO it is With "rhe Marriage OF Figaro"
1t Is not an opera calculated to be thoroughly APP
precated IN sucn building, and 1t certainly last
evening became tlresOme before even the last act
was reached Yet every company, Italian and
English, with few exceptions. persists in present.
Thing bur satls factory. 1t IS as unsuitable Tor
grand opera as is string quartet OF Beethoven
Tor grand concert. "Rlgoetto" will pe gwen this
evening, with Nine. Van Zandt as Gllda.
Graz Opera House.
"Humpty Dumpty" began the tenth week OF his
varying tour OF the world last night. The mana
gers OF the Grand Opera House had announced
tnat the vulpne tourist should have new accom-
pansts during the remainder OF his travels but,
someho"' "HeH HumpIy stdTIeu, anu dS ue
reached place after place. 1T was noticed that, with
two or three exceptions, the persons he
met were the same he had found when
things never lose the Charm OF novelty, and so the
announcement OF the Martens and the Rigl sisters
as new to "Humpty Dumpty may not be con-
demncd. The only really new accessories to
.'Humpty" are clever Harlequin, Rave. and the
Wilson Brothers, who perform some extraordinary
1eatS oil wanting and tumbling. Humpty's adven-
lures did not vary rom those he mas had every
time he has been abroad. HIS memory, however,
proper expression OF SURPRISE tear or gee. There
was gOody audience present TO laugh at the iun
NibIo's.
The active VoKes family appeared last night in
the extravaganza "Fun In q Fog" which the bill
assures has been invented, written and arranged
by the terpslch0rean geniuses. For all the inven-
ton or literary merit the piece contains it might
have been written by any one. 1t is a sort OF bur-
lesque satire on the pleasures yachting,
pressed mainly through the legs 1t Is not without
merit OF a kind and it is certainly very extrav-
agant. There Is not much pretence OF any
nSner aim than to amuse BY
IS honestly carried out. The people are amused.
At least they laugh; and II they seek only distrac-
ton perhaps Fun in Fog" and similar pieces
furnish the most harmless sort OF dis, raction Tor
overwOrked people who do not want to be bothered
with thinking, and only ask o laugh and be merry.
The V0kes' tumbled through their parts with their
usual heartiness. no bones were broken, and 1t is
an open question whether there are any vokes
the comedietta of NAVAL Engagements,n in which
Miss louise Henderson and Mr.. j. W. Brutone
made Their 1rst appearance on this stage. Mr..
Prior as Admiral Kingston, was the representation
OF good-hearted but irascible Old salt, and Mr..
Cahll's Dennis, though marred by an extravagant
makeup, lett little TO be desired 1t was q studied
and careful piece of characterization.
Theatre Comiquc.
While the class Of amusements at this theatre
might not suit the educated taste OF people who
are accustomed to witness the best productions of
the modern stage In oil its moods and lenses, yet
they admirably adapted to rouse the jaded
spirits and iii with thorough sense of enjoy.
ment the great army OF toers who flock here
nightly from their humble and in many cases
wretched dwellings to laugh till the tears run
down over the "Mulligan Guards" ''Old Times
Rocks" the humOrs OF that extremely comic
amusing performances. Last night the attendance
crowded the theatre to the doors and the pro-
ending like the bill ' OF French landlord. H'i IN
doubtedy the best feature was cold Times Rocks,
Scenes from Early Minstrelsy." Everybody
present enjoyed 1t to the tips Of his fingers;
and "Camptown Races" "I'm of to Charleston"
&c, wore as fresh a melody as the first day.
over again and again. Ii these "Mulllgan Guards'
did not get so beastly drunk they would very
well. The comic drama OF "Rent Day. needs
pruning here and there, and more fun thrown
INTO it,
Mr.. Booth last evening began an engagement
at Mrs. Conway's Theatre, Brooklyn, and appeared
as Hamlet before very large audience. new
criticism upon this impersonation OF Mr.. Booths
would be like an attempt to say something fresh
concerning Milton and Homer. not that Mr. Booths
attributes as an actor are comparable with the
qualities or these poets as poets, but that all that
Is good, bad and Indifferent about his performance
has been commented upon again and again, and
all that need now be CnrOnicled Is the TACT that
former SUCCESSES rpnpaCad satisfaction
OF vast assemblage. The tragedy was well placed
upon the stage ana was evenly acted. ''Rlchelieu"
will be given tonight.
Steinway Hall - Maurel.W lie N Il wslxi.