The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-14
Music and tho Drama.

| Music and tho Drama.
1t is said that the divine Albani has thrown
up her engagements in America and will return
| to Europe. Whether this is from an indispO-
sition, depression in business, or because
she wearies of the Southern question and the
Beecher case, we do not dare to ask. Won
derful are the ways Of the prima donna, and
it is not for us to rudely question. This may
be said to certify the downfall of the Italian
opera season. We are sorry that our impre-
sarii have not had better fortune. But even
Napoleon did not win in every campaign.
ing over Albani let us remember Nilsson and
her splendid triumphs of last year. They
will come again The pleasant thought is that
we have musical comforts still. Gilmore and
his band go banging over the country, to
make people buy lottery tickets, 80 that if
will have the music Theodore Thomas has had
great success this winter, and has elevated
our musical taste. In Mr.. Stuart's little Park
Theatre the French people are merry with
their "Girof6- Girofa." Miss Hebron, who
has made fine impression as pianist, will
give concert, and we shall have we pre-
sumo, other novelties and attractions.
At the same time, our greatest comfort has
been the English opera. The performance of
Bales 'Talisman" is the one recent musical
event There has been much comment upon
this representation. Bale is well known to
us, especially in his Bohemian Girr'-a
gem in its way, and remaining like an echo in
the memory. ''The Talisman' does rot mark
q new school; nor is it altogether an incident
of the old school What it lacks is the un-
DERIVING melody, which is as much the under
structure of true music as the granite wall is
of the building which rests upon it. The
taste for music is really natural taste. We
may acquire knowledge of classical music
and find beauty in the cold, inexpensive
strains Of unintelligible symphonies that tho
public do not know. But look at the songs
that ive-the operas that become almost O
refrain of our daily life, and we see how ac-
curate after all the people are. Take any
national air-some air really national, like
the "Marseillaise," the "Hymn OF Riego,' or
'God Save the Queen" and written to the
order Of monarch-and we see how it is that
music will fall upon the heart of nation and
become part of its feeling. its patriotism
and its pride. This is the highest Office of
music-certainly its highest attribute. In
this quality 1.-The Talisman' fails, but the
failure is not that Of the author, for in the
Bohemian Girl" he shows it in a remarkable
degree. The objection to "Lohengrin," that
it is mystic, unintelGgible, weird, too much
constrained by classical rules, would be fatal
to its popularity. But "Lohengrin" is bathed
in delicious melody from beginning to end,
which carries the listener with it like the
waves Of an impclling sea- Those who COM
pose our music should remember the
people, and that the natural taste of the
multitude never errs in it's appreciation.
1t flies from the hard conditions Of SYM
phony to the true genius in a negro plantation
song-from the barrenness OF an oratorio to
the light, bracing Paris airs Of the opera boufe
as bright and gay and full of life and color
as the Boulevards themselves. There is no
true music that fails to move the heart of the
people.
Our theatres have varying fortunes WAL
lacks keeps on in the full tide of success.
At Booths we have great hit in "Henry
w." one Of the finest plays as a work of dra-
matte art ever put on the stage It is an
honor to our city and to art to have Shake
speare with this royal setting. Mr.. DAILY, in
his bDou Of q theatre, deserves the fortune
which seems at last to smile on him. Mr..
Toole has returned from his provincial tour.
and although the solemn Lenten days will
have depressing effect on business there are
enough of US who must be amused even in
these penitential times to recompense the
managers and the players for the pains they
take to please us.
WATER Colon ExHIBITIONs--Extraord mary