The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-04-24

necessary, but let MS nave low lever foau-
way between the tall towers of the East
River Bridge.
Tho Opera soason-vhat Is Wanted.
The curiosity with which the coming of
Mile. Belocca was awaited by the musical
public has been gratified in the most pleas
ant manner That some incredulous souls
should have hesitated to accept Mr.. Strak-
osch's enthusiastic estimate of his pupil before
they heard her was not unnatural in this
sceptical age; for, they argued, managers ere
now have promised us a nightingale only to
give us a sparrow or at best linnet. Hence
Mile. Belocca's success has been gladdening
to the manager, who smiles and says, II
told you So" and a boon to the
public, which only wants q true artistic.
irrespective of managerial hopes and fears.
Her Rosina, both as sung and acted, was a
perfect embodiment of Rossini's ideal, full of
finish, freshness and charm, to which the
fair singers personal graces were but as a
fine human accompaniment to the rich
melody of the Swan Of Pesaro. We are to
hear her next Wednesday in ''Mignon," one
of her most delightful presentations, in which
the fancy of Goethe and the sparkling num-
bers of Thomas combine to furnish an ex-
quisite opportunity for the display
of archness, piquancy, pathos, passion
and womanhood in the actress and
to make heavy demands on the
skill of the vocalist. SO far, indeed, as
MI1a Ralocco 10 copoorpaI +ba ororo hoe
been success; but good opera requires
something more than the exhibition of a
single artist, however great. Without proper
support in the cast the orchestra and the
scenic surroundings, it is hard in giving our
best compliment to the performances of last
week to characterize them otherwise than as
operate CONCERT. We may mention one test
of this in the ssBarbiere"- namely, that
what the public carried away strongest in
recollection from the opera was the Brindisi
from Lucrezia, where Mile. Belocca, stand
ing apart as it were from the manned opera.
sang an interpolated piece to the audience.
To Messrs. Maurice and Max Strakosch we
are much indebted for their persistent efforts
to establish opera on q proper basis in
America. Mr.. Maurice Strakosch has really
no rival as an impresdrio in the world ex-
cept Mr.. Mapleson, of Her Majesty's opera.
He has, doubtless, been discouraged by the
exactions of the Academy stockholders and
other difficulties born of recent hard times,
which deferred enterprise more by their
moral effect upon weak nerves than the
actual trade difficulties gave any
reason for. We have. in fact, had
panic in opera lasting a year
after the effects of the business
panic in trade. As consequence we have
had queens Of song going ''at sacrifice, as
tradesmen say who are selling out after a
fire. We feel assured that only little
courage is wanting on the part of the man.
ayers. Let Mr.. Strakosch take counsel OF his
old time pluck, and, trusting to the gener-
Gus desire Of Americans to support Italian
opera, give it to MS round and perfect
chrysolite next fall. We observe from our
cable letter of yesterday that Mr.. Maple
son begins to show misgivings about the
stockholders privileges at the Academy;
but from the success achieved with a
very poor company supporting Titiens
he could see how full-blooded opera
would be likely to draw, and, perhaps, with
a proper mediation the fears Of both Mr..
Strakosch and Mr.. Mapleson could be re-
lieved. Of one thing we are certain, that
the manager who with well equipped COM
pany capable Of giving the best works in the
best style takes the field in the fall will find
in America an Ell Dorado. Mile. Belocca has
proved herself a finished artist, but how
she would shine in a setting worthy of her
abilities is something Mr.. Strakosch must
use his best cndeavors to show Americans
before the time comes for her to leave our
shores