The New York herald., 1877-10-16
ADJUSTMENTS.

fifth AVENUE rHEATRE-THE HESS ENGLISH
OPERA COMPANY
Twenty years have elapsed since Ambrose Thomas
the yonns us OF the Conservatore nrt presented his
masterwosk lie Songc d. une Mutt dEte, at the Opera
Comique, Paris He was then close forty years OF
age and eager after many years OF expectancy
gain the goal long wished Tor by every eere OF
grandest musical institution In Europe the recogni-
tion OF being tho first on the crowded list
OF compeers for the Opera Comique. NJ.
Thomas was favored in many ways. Independent
Of the intrinsic value OF his work. The role
OF Queen Elizabeth fellao the lot OF exceptionally
brilliant singer, Mme. Ugaldc, Of whom even the hard
be pleased Auber spoke and wrote in extravagant
terms Batailic. basso. Of whom It may be said he
was in opera comique what Levasseur in grand
opera, made such hit in Fastair never known
before in tho pretty little theatre whore the brightest
musical inteects OF France shed their enulgence.
The success OF tho opera was such thatit took Inc
composer out OF expectant crowd (ior in
those days there were great men in the Con.
servaolrs) and placed him in tho foremost rank of
composers. The talent which he thon displayed gavo
him opportunity to essay the musical interprcta-
ton OF some OF the grandest works ol the dramatic
stagc-lhe "Nignon" Of Goethe, tho "Hamlst" Of
Shakespeare. The music winch NJ. Thomas has writ
ten most anciful libreIto Is brilliant and effective
In the extreme. IL has fallen, TO trlc express
sion, in exceedingly pleasant places in being
connded TO the hands OF It's interpreters
last night. Miss Emelie Melville has one Of
those voices which relieve the emptiness OF
mere bravura singing with exquisite expression. AZ
example may be cited the oil Eilzapetb, when
commences tho third act. II Is prousely Embroidered
with hortur, trs and all the other ornate cmbeilish
rnen,s oil bravurs. still more trylrg test al
iorded IN the second act, when Queen Elizabeth
appears in Windsor Park 10 Shakespeare as vision.
In the entire range OF bravura music, not excepting
that OF Aslranammento, IN la Flute Enchantee,"
or even froch's variations Can be found more
trying test Tor tho voice than these measures winch,
according to the brettis suggest TO the mind OF tho
poet litana, an Obc.on, Puck. Yet Miss Melville
wont through The toss uniaitcrlngy ana exhibited
high aud finished qualities OF vocalsm. as q actress
she is also deserving OF great praise. although her
| strong points arc more IN comedy OF a more pro-
| nounced character than that OF goou Queen
Bess masqueradins Young, petite, handsome, ana
| gifted with rare vocal anu hstrionic pvwers,
the SUCCESS OF this latest addition yric stage Is
assured. Mrs. seguin, tne favoritc contrato, sur
passed her ormtr riumphs by her finished inlerpre-
tation oil the role OF .dy Uva The bocro In the last
net Was sung with dash and that only artist ia
The ruesi sense could produce Tno dicut roles dra
matcay and musicaliy speaking, OF Snakes spcare apa
Faistan were admirably rendered by Mr. Castle
anu Mr. reakes, and .ne si,very voice OF Mr.
| Turner gave enccs TO the role OF Latimcr "A
| Summer Nights Dream represents the hich-
est standard Of opera comique and It's
music instrumental anG vocal, Is in that mould
" dehcacy OF treatment poetry }. conception aud
exquisite hnsh That viii marx II as the best OF ITS
scnoo. line striking numbers OF the opera are
IN the first act the songs ot Fastan Lalimer the
duet OF tue Queen And Uhvla and lrio Of FAisla
Uyia and the Queen. In the second may be iouni
me opening chorus % iorcstors tho
that OF .Dcr Frcischu,z' and tho grand scena Of
| Shakespeare, Ia winch the orchestra seems 10
BECOME Hcndcissohnian III its delcacy and poetry.
In line last act there was introduced tue ccl1Duto
| trio from the Grown Diamonds, - aud much we
are opposed 10 meddiing with or adding to coinpo-
scr's score, VIC must say IN justice that this
sion II Was admirable. The characters were Faisla
tho Queen ana Olivia The burly knight perple xed
and ANXIOUS about the result oi last nignLs de-
| bauch, and the ladies laughing at his trouble. Al
though the music OF Lc SODge dune Mutt d'Etc" does
not general thlng present many catching
there arc lew which must, hey yond doubt lind their
! way TO the piano IN cvcfy drawing room. Among
those are FastsTs song in the rst act Latmcrs arr
Shakespearc's romance ana Ulva's boero IN las.
act. Tho audience which attended was SELECT aud ap.
prcciativc, and the general EXPRESSION indicative
OF the delight with which genuine culture welcomes
the pure and good In music. The Futh
Avenue Theatre IN It's pamiest days never
looked more bright or beautiful, and Mr..
Fiskc, the manager, 10 entitled to not q
tiic crcdt for exquisite taste WIN which he has
added new beauties made he spot attractive
than ever. The chorus, costumes and scenery arc
harmonious ana beautnu, the voces have beea re-
markaby we'll trained ana there ~ NO reason wny The
Engsn opera should MOI have season OF rare sue
cess especially when the great heart OF New York has
~ in It's power 10 take by the nand young American
girl and pay tribute IN the metropolis wnict
sho has cGcwncre.