New-York tribune., 1876-10-03
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA
ITALIAN OpERi-NORNiA.

Madame PalmeTi, Mr.. StrakOsch's new prima
doura selected Tor her debut in this city tie opera OF
Norma" Many more interesting selections might have
been made for this work is terribly hackncyed, ana the
l-Organ has made painfully familiar with all its
principal airs; but OF cogrso prima donna is
anxious present herself in whct she considers at least
one Of her best parts ANA the reslt proved that her
choice was. IN respects at any rate, Wise
one. Nine. Pamieri Is, as We understand hn
English lady by birth, and she has for some
years been the leading singer ut In Scala. III
Milan and at tho San Carlos, Naples. She has soprano
voice Of good compass, which mnst have been eNce
LEM in its day, especially in the middle register Al
present however time ami cxertion have told very Sc
yeroly it, aud it IL by no means, particularly III Po'ut
OF sweetness what it must Lave been in her younger
DAYS But in spite OF the defects Of her voice, ana the
tricks which IL sometimes played her. Nine. Palmeri
proved herself last night thorough artist she was
announced "a belonging to the same school
as Milo. Titiens, and this s in some respects true'
She is u good actress, particularly In Paris requiring
the display OF great passion, and sings at times vi
both breadth ana brc Bat she Is not the equal OF Iehs
IN any way except in point OF voice-hcrs being much
less than that Of the greater artist In certain
passages notably in the cabactta succeeding tho Casta
Diva" she proved that her execution must have been
facile though her voice often harsh and unruy'
The "Casta Diva" not good, for her voice Is 100
much worn TO stand music 80 sustained In character,
and she has not at her command the splendid decama-
lack OF voice. She at her best In the latter
part OF the first act Tor the opera was
divided on this occasion, the second where
she makes the discovery of Poos treachery ANA Ia the
scene with Poo the second third act Here both
acting and singing were really admirable. On the
whole. Nine. PdmicTi proved that she must have been
most excellent singer when at her prime, and she Is
even yet n thorough artist, though not the equal ot
Mile. Titcns. Her qualifications can, however, be
more thoroughly judged after shall have had more
opportunities of hearing her.
OF the rest OF the cast much good cannot be SAID
Next TO Mime. Famieri, Mr. Comfy, OT1reSo, was the
best He has an excellent voice, and sings carefully
though occasionally he Is very false in inionaiion'
and far from perfect in technique. The Addiglsa'
Nile. Pcrsiaui, is, believe, n sister OF hme'
Persiaui She has peasan little soprano voice, wAich
seems nicely trained but she sings with terrible iacR
spirit though this may DC the result Of Nervousness
Sgnor Palmicrl undertook the disaSrccaDle pant oi
PoIiO IL is di ficult say what he may have been
generation ago. At present he Is melancholy rum
The chorus and orchestra were both uncommony poor
even for the Acadcmy-thc chorus thin and illraned'
the orchestra nl-traned AMI thin-bOth Of them con
sequenty rOugh and disaNceable. Tho ensembles, as
rule were wrctchcd. the whole il cannot be said
that the first performance OF the strakOsch Italian cpcr"
season was credabc. II is to be hoped that they may
pick up before the end Of The week