New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-06-06
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.
MISS CORBETT AS NORMA.

MISS CORBETT AS NORMA.
The untimely opening of a season of Italian
opera IN the English language filled the Academy Of
Music last night with surprises Instead Of the beggary
OF empty boxes that might have been looked for
when an unknown company presented Itself almost I'M
heraldcd on Summer evening, there was
crowded house, and instead Of the soveny and amateur
sh pert rmance the habtue Of the Academy probs
bly, expected to hear there credtable and in somo
respects remarkable representation. Miss Gertrude Cor
bett in whose interest the venture has been sked is
young lady from Wisconsin who has studied under
Der the known Of this city and has
in Of Ole Bulls concerts. She has an excellent
soprano voice OF good compass full strength and
agreeable quality; her ntonations generally true;
aud having fine natural gifts TO work WITH she has laid
the foundation OF How much she possesses Of
the necessary musical and dramatic intelligence and OF
that electric impulse which must inspire the lyric artist
1t would be rash 10 Judge after seeing only her first
essay. She has u noble stage presence, handsome
features, and commanding and graceful figure. Her
action is vigorous and but little constrsined and she
seems have been well drilled In the business Of tho
stage Her vocasm leaves something 10 be desired, yet
we have heard cruder singing in the Academy; on the
whole Miss Corbets execution OF tho music careful,
and in some passages il was very good-not nice nor
delicate, but effective in large way, and
forcibe. Indeed it was forcible performance
OF Norma" all through. Miss Alice Hosmer, novice
who appeared AdGigisa, has good strong voice. and
sang with confidence aud spirit. Mr.. Frtsch a
strong and satisfactory Polio. Tho Druid priest found
an bodied representative in Mr. Blum. The chorus
was large and firm. and the orchestra kept we in
hand by Mr. Caryl Foro to whom the credit OF smooth
and lively representation is largely attributable. III
therefore the opening of Miss Corbetts
be set down successful She ought not he
mlslcd however, by the plaudits OF the first night
supposng that she already what sho apparently aims
to be, great dramatic prima donna. Norma" posi-
bly, displays her best points but much for
her to try that famous role in which many OF tho
greatest singers of age have tempted fortune and so
few have won enduring fame
MRS. CHANFRAU AT THE EAGLE TIIEATFR.
The Eagle Theater was opened last night
with play by c. W. Tayleure New-York and
with actress, Mrs Henrietta Chanfrau who has been
80 long absent that her return would have been
almost q first appearance II it we're not that
she was SO kindly remembered. Both play and
actors deserved larger house. though it OF fair
size. aud could not well have been q friendly
The play, called Parted" which has been much liked
in other cities, deals with the fortunes Of trust
company official who finds himself not only per-
sonaly involved in the ruin OF the company but
made 10 appear defaulter by forgcrcs
and falso entries Of the mon who were them
selves responsible for the disaster He seeks refuge In
suicide by drowning and his supposed deiaoation 10
Immediately exposed. The wife MRS Chanrrau) dovotes
herself the redemption of her husbands memory aud
finally AS ruin oyertakes the fOrger and he con-
fesscs his crime her husband reappears alive
his attempt at suicide having failed and
conceament having failed. Mrs. Chantrau
discharged her part with all her accustomed grace and
twice called before the curtain. The play gives
proof throughout of the careful hand OF conscientious
worker. Much Of the dialogue is bright aud happy and
several Of the situations striking and effective The
play will be repeated every night till further notice.
A number of the leading citizens of Brooklyn
have united in Offering testimonial benefit at the Brook
Ign Theater to Mr.. A. NJ Palmer by way OF expressing
in some public way their appreciation OF his successful
efforts to supply them with dramatic stage worthy OF
their city" There few managers who deserve such
compliment more richly than Mr. Palm T, aud 1t pleas
ant TO know that his laOors rightly valued