The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-07
srENwAY HALL-THoMAs' SYMPHONY CON-

The most remarkable feature OF Thomas concert
last night at the Metropolitan Music Hall was the
fine Interpretation OF Ran's plano concerto by
Nine. Madeline Schiller. the work that was so
cleverly given at Philharmonic concert by the
talented little Lima Lucknardt. The finish OF style
and positive talent displayed by the lady. especially
in her clear crisp touch and intelligent phras.
ing, compensated Tor much OF the weakness OF
the WORK. Beethoven's "Fourth Symphony was
at the beginning OF the programme ana HoTmans
new symphony, "Frtthjoi," at the END. The former,
ter proved to be paste only where Max Brucl,s
IDEAS are bodily incorporated. The Ltederkranz
Society have already sung about the heroic legend
selected, that Ol Bruch. was admirably adapted TO
the subject. Mr.. Hoffman mas stolen whole
phrases OF 1t bodily, and mas not improved them
in any sense OF the word. the Bach concerto for
two vIollns and orchestra In which Messrs Jacob
SOM and Arnold signalized themselves last night,
proved to be one OF the most attractive features
OF the concert. Brahms picturesque setting OF
ton OF the attractive bill. Tine performance WAS
worthy OF the conductor and his matchless band.
1.-THE TAIIsMAN."
The production OF Balfe's posthumous opera,
''The Talisman," at Drury Lane Theatre, London,
the present home OF 'Her Maesty's OPERA" under
Mr.. Mapleson's direction, on the 18th OF June,
1874, was an event almost unprecedented in
operatic annals. Still more remarkable Is the
fact that tie work reached It's ninth representa-
ton from the opening night to the CLOSING of the
season on the 18th OF July. Few operas brought
out at the flag end OF q London season meet with
such favor as that enjoyed py "Il Tallsmano.n or
course the circumstances in the occasion here
were exceptional.
Bale is the only English composer VINO wrote
expressly Tor the stage on which o Pasta, Mali.
bran, Viardot, a Grisi, Persiani, Sontag, a
Jenny Lind, Tietens, Pisaroni and an Albani
had sung. 1t was In 1888 that Balle's
"Fastan" was first represented, with Grisi. Ale
bertazzi, Rubini, Tambcrini and Lablache. Bale
has been the only English composer who had
works produced at the Grand opera, Paris
("L'Etole de Seville" In 1s45) at the opera
Comiqne Gle Puts glamour" and Lies Quatre
Fills d'Aymon," In 1s44 and at the Theatre Lyrtque
ella File Bohemenne," in 1S49). Moreover, In
Baltes earliest days, before his "Siege Of Ro-
chelle' maze hts name in England, In 1885, he
wrote opera ana ballet music for Palermo and
Milan tine Scala). Again, IL must be noted that
adaptations OF several OF his English ana French
operas were successfully performed In Germany,
where these works still maintained In the
repertoire. Between 1885 and 1851, at Drury Lane,
at Covent Garden and at the Lyceum, the English
operas OF Bale had more or less popularity, but
the national opera undertaking In London ceased
with the death OF the late MIR. Harrison, so long
associated with Miss Louisa Pyne mrs. Bodda),
IN UNFOLDING the claims OF native composers and
singers to hold high ground In presenting the
lyric drama. 1t must be observed that all the
operate dolngs at the Crystal Palace, and In
oil the provincial tours OF English opera compa-
MES, operas by Bale form the prominent object OF
attraction. DR.. Arne composd IN Italian opera in
l7sA out more than csn.ury had slapssd before