The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-03
A II U S E M E N T S.
italian Opera-Mixnon.


Despite the trivial character of the music AZ ap-
piled to grand opera, "Mignon," by the force OF q
few taking melodies, and more especially by the
poetic. 1aaUe rendering OF the roe by Nine. Chris
tine Nilsson, seems to be popular attraction at
the Academy OF Music so 1t was last evening, for
very brilliant audience attended the second per.
formance Of the Swedish Nightingale. Although
Goethe's "Wilhelm Meisrer" supplies the
names OF the principal characters and
the leading Incidents yet the libret-
lists, M. M. Carre and Barber. have done
their work commercially, and have given a very
interesting series of scenes. The treatment by
them Is graceful and effective. AIRY Scnener has
given Nine. Nilsson the cue for her MignOn. The
cnId herone. as this artist hmned her, is faithfully
represented on the stage by Nine. Nilsson. The
hayward, yet sentimental child. not such as
Goethe created. but such as AIRY Scheffer painted,
lives and breathes in Nilsson from her tirst appear
al e Se the Of the G
factory style than Drettists generally
Thomas. has entirely JAILED to grasp
the emotional points OF the subject Since It's first
years ago, when the Mignon was Mile. Gaili-Marie,
nothing but the genus OF Nine. Nilsson has even
sustained the very existence of the work. There
is no depth to the music. M. Thomas never
reaches beneath the surface. The music is frag-
mentary and often 0fenbachsh. Exceptions
Kennst du das land and srae swallows are tue
only tolerabe musical numbers In the title roe,
Nilsson last evening. Affection. '" tenderness ness.
impulse and waywardness, those striking
QUALITIES Of such an impersonation, united to the
clear, Itallan-like atmosphere that seems to en-
compass her beautiful voice, brought out the lyric
portrait OF Mlgnon in the strongest relief. We
Cap0ul the Federico OF Miss Cary ana the Lotario
Of SignOr Nannettl, that We deem 1t unnecessary
best ao Of N Nile Forraas roes Aiaa win be- re-
peated on Wednesday evening. "LOhengrin" Is In
active preparation, and will be produced on st.
Patrick's Day.
Btadt Theatre-Lucca In German Opera.
The "Kieine Pauline" commenced last night her
farewell engagement In opera in this city. On
this occasion she returned to her first love, the
stage on which she won her earliest triumphs,
the German opera. The opening Of the short sea-
son. which may be considered her farewell TO New
York, was not satisfactory exhibit OF her excep-
ttonal talents. 'Don Juan" is OF the least ad-
vtsabe operas that manager can present One
company out OF hundred Is capable Of doing 1t
Justice. and one audience out Of q thousand can
appreciate its inherent beauties. Audiences of
the present day like the sensationaiism and
blare Of the modern schools, and Mozart's
operas are to them to q great extent unin-
telltglble The old master used simple means OF
Instrumentation, which will last forever with
musicians as thoroughly efficient in their line but
stronger, more highly spiced. more catching.
Hence the disfav0r into which ''DOn Juan" has OF
late years fallen in this CITY Another reason for
INNING the delicate nuances and thereby remov-
subject OF which Is offensive. The cast last even
ing was fair for q German collection OF artists.
Nine. Lch.may was the Donna Anna; MISS Roe
mer, Donna Eivira Mr.. Pnueger, Don Ottawa: Mr..
Lehman, Don Juan; Mr.. Muller, Masetto, and Mr..
Hermann, Leporello. We omit from this cast the
nj m m q haNan oho
the star OF the occasion.
Nine. Lichtmay's Donna Anna was characterized
can be accepted In lieu OF true artistic appreciation
OF the exgencies OF the roe. Mile. Roemer was q
Sely @ re ana D0nna Eyira
role is one OF the most important In the opera.
Certainly there Is more genuine hard work in It
OF Don OttaviO conscientiOusly and correctly al
though 1t was not exactly adapted 10 his peculiar
ri MIC IT Tesoro to use the Italian name5 and the
substitution OF another melody far less effective,
ne made serious mistake. Lehmann's Don
Juan was sprightiy according to the conventional
sense OF the term, and worse Masetto than
that OF Mr. Muller it would be dilcut to conceive.
Hermann was entirely out OF his natural element
in the difficult role OF Leporell0.
The most grateful task Is to chronicle the CON-
plete success OF Nine. Pauline Lucca in the CO.
quettish part OF the peasant girl, Zerlina. The
only numbers in the score that fell to her
share, the duet. "La CT darem," in which Leh.
and "yedraf Carina" cthe Italian names are in
teigible to alD were delivered by her with that
wonderful wealth OF voice that has long ago raised
her TO the foremost rank of singers. There Is
something electric and irresistible about the tone
of Nine. Lucca's voice that goes right to the
hearts OF her hearers, One Is inclined to forgive
many inartistic shortcomings, notably leaving the
stage before the conclusion OF the first act, and
thereby spelling the tableau, In the glorious tones
OF that voice. The bitter experience of terrible
season in Cuba has detracted naught from the
beauty and magnetism Of Nine. Lucca's voice
and actng. me former Is as grand and impressive
as ever, and the latter Is IN complete accord with
the phenomenal voice. on Wednesday Nine.
Lucca appears as Valentine in ''Die Huguenotten."
The house last night was crammed from parauet
to dome and hundreds were unable to obtain ad-
mission
The Grand Opera House.
Fox still reigns supreme at this house. He has
as many tricks as the original old Renard OF the
fable but those of the modern are much tho finn