New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-01-24

caused profound impression in musical circles, aaf
| will be read with deep sorrow in widely separated
quarters Of the world-n England, where she wac
universally admired and respected in Italy, wbers
she won her earliest operate iaures; in Egypt
which was the scene of her latest triumphs bat
above all perhaps in the United States, where AK
years Of kabe protest. labor and extensiv,
/ travel have made her name household word from
OCEAN 10 ocean, and secured for her hundreds Of
warm personal friends all the chief cities Of tia
Union. We have already sketched briefly the pm
cpal incidents If her life but we cannot allow tho
grave TO close over this illustrious singer and
amiable lady without a few words in commemors-
ton of her extraordinary services to art. and the
influence which she has exerted upon the tAsts
and culture of the American public. Mature
gave her one of the most exquisite vuoes
ever heard upon the stage. IL had all good qualities.
Its compass WAS agDihcent; it reached the lowest
notes OF the soprano register and up with
to in alt perhaps little higher and IN all this
great extent there not imperfect tone; every
sound was delicousy sweet and pure, and full tho
most acute critic could detect flaw weakneas.
no difference Of quality In volume it absolutely
phenomenal II filled the Boston colosseum OF 1871.
where il rang Oat above the roar of cannon and the
shouting Of the monster chorus. It's whispers were
heard through the largest opera houses, aud ih
clarion tones electrified in triumphant songs like
Handels Let the Bright Seraphim,' as VOICE
ever did before voice ever will again. so por-
feet was the beauty of this glorious voice that 1T
used to touch the feelings merely by its purity
and strength quite apart from any sentiment which
might lie IN the music Sensitive people arc some
times stirred TO tears by the sight Of exquis'"
landscape and shave audiences deeply novel
by Madame Parepatlt0sa's delivery Of common
song. not because the words or the composition
meant an ything but because the tones were ibsD-
lutely without defect. Voice. however not
the secre. Of her power. She had reached the very
pinnacle Of art for she had learned TO dcspse
opportunities for vocal display. to discard vulgar
embellishments and tours de toroe, and 10 esteem
that the noblest style of singing which was thu
simplest and most natural How many yesrs ot
hard work and ntel gent study were needed be'oro
this perfect culture WAS complete tho public never
suspectel When she stood before them. 30 quiet.
SO easy so unaffected the song seemed % How from
her lips without an effort and without prcme1Its
ton. She sang az if she could not help 1t. MUSIC
had no difficulties for her With physical strength
equal to the most unpa ralleed demands. and tech
meal education which had long ago triumphei
over the most serious problems OF art, the exercise
of her marvellous gift became sort of second
nature. Song for her easy as speech.
The versatility for which she has been 20 much
praised was in part the result Of high culture and IN
part a natural endowment. She won her hrst veto
res and her last on the Italian operate stage
When she came tn America In 1856 she charmed tho
whole country with modern English ballads. and no
one else has ever given those little nrtistic songs
80 pleasant q character. She turned to the long
neglected music of Handel. and, filled with the spirit
of the grand old master, poured forth the mighty
music of The Messiah" and Samson" with
majesty and glory Of which America had no previous
conception What she did next with the English
Opera We all remember. She gave it character 1t
had never enjoyed before either here abroad and
if il become permanently established in this country
we shall owe 1t principally to Madame Pareps and
Mr.. Carl Rosa. She had naturally cheerful dsrI-
stion and taste for anything that was piqua1t IN
action and lively III sentiment, and she impaired
consequently to comic opera a vvacity Of which fow
would have thought her capable. She brought out
for us in English " The Marriage of Figaro and
nothing could be more charming than her manner 0f
interpreting thsmost delicious ofoperas Underneath
the superficial gayety Of tho music and the play
she caught the inImitahle tenderness which suiss
Mozart's bright strains with delicate sentiment o.
their own and she gave To such famous numbers ~
the cauzouet "To the Zephyr meaning AMI
character which other singers have never seemed
to us to appreciate. Soon after The Marriage Of
Figaro" succeeded the romantic "Oberon." and
"Oberon" was followed by one Of the most brilliant
series of Italian operas given in New-York for
twenty years. On two occasions during thus
season the public excitement high that
seats readily sold for 80 apiece. In Egypt
Madame Rosa was loaded with laurels. This
Spring she purposed singing in English Opera
London, and Drury Lane had been engaged for .
series of representations under the management u
her husband. She was to have had the honor Of rst
ssJ olo
audience she herself assuming the magnificent aud
exactiug role of Elsa, and it a part Of her do
sign to give the same opera afterwards in the United
States. She would certainly have returned here II
she had lived. and probably would have brought
back Santey and Wachtel with her.
1t is not upon the successes OF her brilliant career
however that her friends will prefer to dwell
Fame and fortune followed her all round the world.
but these are the empty and transient honors which
she must share with many other artists far beneath
her. Her truest glory is that she honored her pro-
fesson alike in her work and in her life. Long
after the eeting qualifications of the hour for
gotten and the echoes Of the matchless voice have
ceased to resOund and the wreaths are withered.
and the portraits hang faded the wall the crest
good which Madame Psrepa Rosa accomplished
here will be gratefully remembered. She opened
the minds of the multitude to conceptions OF
art She discovered to them unsuspected beauties.
She elevated and refined their taste. She taught
them to despise vulgarity. and false pretenss.
and afectation; to appreciate whatever IS
pure, and digni6ed, and conscientious;
to hate the cheap devices Of tho
Snowman. In six years she advanced the musical
taste and knowledge of America by the measure OF
a whole generation. What Theodore Thomas has
done with the orchestra she did with the oratorio.
Lat