The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-04-13
AMTSElfFNTs.
First Night OF verdi'. Don Carlos.

Tho production Of a new Italian opera is
rare enough 10 make II an occasion Of consid-
cradle music al interest 1t Is surprising what
long intervals there are between such occur
renccs. and that managers are content 10 plod
on as they 10 with the same old worn out sto k
Theatri'a al managers are constantly on the
look out for novelties. but impressarios ns a
rule. fail TO exhibit the same enterprise Now
that signor Alt.tes has : -own himself the cx-
Cd. ,ton and cut lof - from II traditionary
stock operas. /, Is TO be hoped that he will find Il
generous response and support from the public.
Verdi's " Don Carlos is now only In the sense
Of being unheard on this side the ocean. II was
brought out in Paris and London Just ten years
since. in the spring Of 1867. II is founded in a
general way ON Schillcrs drama Of the same
name. though II does not follow the plot Of that
play with strict fidelity.
:. The motive 81 the opera IL tho love u Don
Carlos. Crown Prince ofSpain and son %: Philip
The S.'oni, for Elizabeth OF Nalol-. the young
wir vl iii" hing. inr secret 81 which coming to
tween M" father ami son. and th" latter l. final
y ~ th' lH-t 70, handed over 10 the Oilicers u
IL s'hners drama the bloody Duke - Alya
il on" oi the chur4 tors. and the persecution II
the Flemings j. touched upon II also forms
ON. oi ihc threads 81 which the opera il woven.
unsteady considered the opera has never
ranked very high. II Is inferior. m siodically.
Ia " Rogolct'o and the " Trovat1r~." and has
Mt. on tn" on" hand the dash and spontaneity IF
iul elaboration ~ his latest opera. Aida Nor
have lis melodies passed into popularity either IN
the coneert lrthe drawing room. Nevertheless II
contains many OF those peculiarlti"- that have
made Nerd famous His art Is like that Of the
scene painter the drawing Is not faul,lss nor
the execution d-lcats. but the tints are laid upon
the canvass, with II broad. Arm hand. and no
tlmidlty Is shown in tle mater ~ colors; the
bright reds. gorgeous yellows. and deep somhre
blues are laid on with a lavish hand. Out Of
these come the flna"s on which Verdi depends
SO much for his effects, and when he combines
a stage orchestra with the other. and has the
chorus, enlisted as in the third at Of Don
Carlos. tho stage fairly rocks with the waves
The opera was given last evening with the
following distribution.
raig II. King q sPain ........... ssnor na Sesro
Rdnge Marlu. of Po,a ........... si.nor Bcrioa-i
fn"itt,h' VI yo. si.so[a Inii
The rl.necs, Lboi Ayr nat Alrealan,el
Tehaio EAzabeth's ge.......... no4ma =, r,iani
The cast is an excellent one. Nine. Palmleri's
long stage o. ricnce. Isle acoomIlis hm.uts
and broad firm style slye VITALITY 10 all the
SCENES IN Whieh shcinds part. and. in lat, all
VI. httisiH 7'F"N' Nhiousib 7" assure IN" Success
81 the opera ana deserve general praise. The
third act is one that Verdi undoubtedly in
tended "a make tho central and pivotal point
OF the work. and In il he has massed his whole
armory 81 ELECTS II IS Of the same general
cnarartrr as the famous coronation at in
M.yerbeers Prophete.' though Verdi has
not been as happy in his musical Inspirations
a. Mey.rb--r was In that case. hilll the scene
Is striking and interesting one, the King and
queen ia their robes OF state the body If monks
IN their mQnastic dress. the Flemish deputies in
black the banner bearers and the army OF SUI
I"rnumerRries skiliuly grouped upon tic
stage making brilliant picture.
, II would be useless 10 partlcularlze by name
the various Duets, trios, arlas, and concerted
give il lis interest such detail of criticism
Is ,wearlsome. and unntolligihle to tho
formnnro, and q waste u words - the ono
who has. II sunlces 10 say that salient melo-
dies abound in the opera, and that the public
taking " them.
Much cure has been expended in giving
was tie ioptr r sgAS n. ln ma scenery
of 1t very good, and in all the matters Of
stag detail ihnrr wa, rVldene" OF wise and iu-
di'ious management. The opera was listened
70 with interest, and apparently with stisiar-
ton, hy a large audience. 1t Will be repeated