The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-01-26
An T'SEHEVTS.
Vile. Titien~' First Appearance In Opera in
the uitcd states.

On Monday evening Mile. Tiiicns made
her first appearance in opera In this country.
assuming one ~ the characters on which her
transatlantic fame rests-.hat OF Norma
The Academy ~ Music presented a gala ap-
penrancc such az II has not worn FOR many day.
Every box aud every seat in the house was occu-
pied.
Nor did Mile. Ttiena dlsappoint the interest
that was So evident on the y RI OF the audience.
Her Norma WIS a splendid lint. rsonati n
For so grand and impressive an example OF lyric
art we have to look back to the days Of Gris
II was remarkable. however. that what many
Of the audience doubtless expected to find one
Of the strongest and most Effective parts Of the
opera, was In fact rather weak. We refer 90
Mlle Titiens's singing OF the great aria OF the
opera, the Cnsta Diva
The preceding decamatory passage was given
after the grand manner-broadly, generously.
with fine weight aud emphasis an / stately and
Impressive gesture. II was az once evident that
the fitting embodiment OF the stately Norma oc-
oupled tie stage, or Course. the singing Of the
"Casta DiNa,' the best known Of almost all the
hrai Ia tho whole range OF Italian opera, was
iOOked Forward to with great interest. In the
hush OF silence and expectation that attended
her singing of II. Mile. 11tiens commenced the
ara. Perhaps her anxiety to do II well too
great, for certainly the Grst two phr ises were
de ldcdiv out OF tune, and the whole aria lacked
that hni-li, reuuse, smOothness, anu sustained
quality ui voice 50 necessary to it, due effect.
H. was not til the succcciin allegro that Nile.
Iiticns fully DISPLAYED her powers but from
this point 10 the close Of the opera she was SUI
peib, increasing, In fact in the beauty and Gle r
ness ol hel voice TO the close the last acts being
the best.
TIE aria to which we have referred. thoucb
seemingly sinple IN its construction, Is really
an exceedingly trying one. IL H. one of the test
pieces, nnd the vocalist who can sing 1t as II
her art.
Tho very qualities that stood in tho way Of
Mile. Iiuens's success IN the concert room we're
those thut prevented her from giving the best
effect to this concert aria. she l. prima donna
OF the stage. and when the action Of tie opera
was ialtlY begun and her powers as an actress.
her stately presence and her intelligence sup
ported aud reinforced the effect Of ncr singing,
then II was apparent how scant Justice she had
before done to her reputation and how fortunate
u was that in this hrief season she should have
we opportunity 10 show upon what her claim to
be ranked as one Of the great prima donnas Of
our time rested. This she did show beyond all |
question or cayl. Inc deficiencies If the CON
the broader surroundings OF the stage and the |
great artist carried with her throughout the |
opera the admiration of her audience both Tor |
sivc acting.
>, The role OF Adalgisd wns assumed by Miss
beaumont, Instead Of Madame Irignoli, as at |
FIRST announced. Miss beaumont will be re- |
lnemoered az one of the most efficient mcn- |
bers OF the Kellogg English Opera Company, |
put she appeared to fir greater advantage on |
Monday evening than ever before. Her voice IA |
strong and clear and though not exceptionally |
hne, Is pleasing IN quality and gives unnistakable
evidence OF thorough and judicious train
ing. In fart both her singing and acting
were marked bv refined Intelligence, ana She
" not ovefshadUwed nv contrast even with
Mile. litiei = as might easily have been the fate
pi many less worthy aspirants for operate
honors
:, The role of Porto was nlled by a tenor. sirnor
liaccci. who made MA first appearance on This
occasion. Tie has strong. resonant voice. but ~
without any special grace Of style. While there
Was not much IN lis performance that WIS
eally deserving of praise, he h; q sufficient atil-
IN ~ I"ast to I'LL the nar acceptahly. The opera
Nil be presented again this evening.