The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-28
ENGLISH oPERA-"FAUsr.

Nearly sixteen years have elapsed since GounOd
first gave TO the world his masterpiece In operate
writing, "Faust" 1t stands to-day the best speci.
men OF the modern French school that can be
placed before tho public, and it gains every
year in popularity. or course the com.
poser had an exceptionally fine subject
TO inspire htm-the immortal creation
OF Goethe-and although the original
sunered sadly az the hands OF the French nbret.
fist. as did Mgnon some years later vet very pre-.
sentable materei was turn shed 10 the composer
which his genius moulded into lyric structure Of
surprising beauty. Nine years before Gounods
work saw the light in 1850 Spohr's opera on the
same subject was produced for the first time at
Covcnt Garden, London, with the composer in
the conductors chair. Mme CASTELAR,, Tamoerl ik,
Ronconi and Formes appeared in this opera, Ron.
cont taking the title role, and nne as the music was
and correspondingly rendered, the work proved a
total failure. The stupidity OF the oretto and the
small Importance attached to the role OF Mar
guerite may account Tor the non.success OF work
on which great genius bestowed his best efforts.
Sphor's "Faust" disappeared forever from the
pubic gaze when MS French successor In the same
line established his work as permanent iavorlte.
And yet there Is wide difference between
the two two F Fausts in musical value that
artisticalIy constructed aud Astounding in
thoughts akin 10 the great original The great
popular merit OF GCunOd's WORK Is the lyric beauty
which he throws around Gretchen, and II is no
wonder that the aim of every prlma donna to-day
should be to present model Marguerite to her
admirers. Miss Kellogg has the honor OF creating
the role IN this city, and, although she has had
many eminent successors, yet the charm, artis-
tic finish and freshness OF her impers0nation
remain unfivalled in pubic estimation. 1t seems
also to be a lavorite role with her, one that she
secludes irom her extensive repertoire and jea-
ously guards as something more tender Than the
rest OF her art Year AFTER year she mas added to
the charm OF her Marguerite, and there we're
many pretty little surprises in her rendering OF
the role last night even To those who Dad seen
her in MT IT miny years ago; The meeting
W Faust oemure the aann market place rom
church experiences the first feeling OF love;
the coyness. lear. love, anxiety and rapture
Of the garden scene, IN which the evils OF the
maiden the despair, honor and woe OF heart that
follow the death OF ner brother, struck Gown DIV
her betrayer ana cursing her with his latest
breath; the agony OF the church scene, In which
the fend who stands between her and forgive.
ness. and the last dread scene when
heaven at length receives her, and
sorrow and pain are past. were delineated by Miss
long only TO the higher order OF lyric art. The
church scene was the most Impressive realization
OF the unhappiness OF Gretchen that has been pre-
sented on our stage lor long period. Miss Annie
Beaumont appeared as siebe. and acted
and sang the part admirably. She is
graceful. eXper enced actress, ana has
q clear, sympathetic. well cultivated voice.
Mr.. Peakes proved 10 be Mephistopneles
OF undOuDted excellence. He was polished. GAL
liant and accomplished devil, and one calculated 10
do a great deal OF MISCHIEF. Mr.. Cartoons fine
Valentine and Mr. Mas was a commendabie
Faust, singing the music smoothly, but occasion.
ally alphabetically. The performances, generally
speaking, was highly creditabie one, and proved
the calibrc OF the company in u very Satisfactory
manner. '.Ernanr will be gwen this evening at
the BROOKLYN Academy.