The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-12-10
ADJUSTMENTS.
ITALIAN opEnA-.1L TALIsMaSo. /"


Richard Sgur ri sisnsr Gs Isssi
il Bsrone De signor Bsnsrdi
II Re D Francia. sgn.r lya a.,
Nectabanus sisno, Del raSqte
Edith Piantarenet ............. Mime Etelka Gerstcr
Had Balfe lived to have witnessed the representa-
ton of his posthumous opera the revisons ana re-
scorings that he would have made would undouo'-
edly have materially enhanced its coherency and in
terest and deepened its importance as representative
original work. As it left and as it stands,
even with the improvements upon the original
made by Sir Michael Costa. it presents numerous in
consistencies, and brstles with irreconciable con-
trasts and effects The tendency of the Instruments
ton as a whole is decidedly toward the Germanic
school, yet the overture is simply pleasant and by
means extraordinary specimen of the French school
There are too bravura pieces i'll the vein OF the pure
italian school OF Ben and Donzetti. and others in
the true English school Of the composer himself
This almost Kaleidoscope intermingling Of all the
modern styles of music evidently the result of the
mature elaboration of the composer who possibly.
hoped thus consummate work not only su gen.ris
but surprisingly effective artistic compost
ton While both OF these results could not be and
were not attained in comparable degrees, the COM
poser succeeded in combining his homogeneous ele
ments so well as TO produce mosaic wnlch, II NOT
in all respects great masterwork, IS sufficiently in
teresting and artistic to challenge the most critical
interest and to command genuine admiration.
Its revival last night had almost the interest or an
absolute novelty; for the opera had not been given
before completely, and never here at all in the fu
emit Italian, which George Sand has truly said
is the only language in which to sing. Ad-
mirers of Bafe enjoyed last night the opportu-
nity of hearing his most elaborate work presented
under remarkably anspicious conditions. The
quintet of principals enlisted in the representation
proved to be peculiarly well adapted to their task.
As Edith Piantagenet Nine. Gerster again
hibited that simplicity and naturalness. that
intuitive and delicate appreciation OF the
essential dramatic requirements of her role.
in which she is never found wanting. Her singing
was q revelation of new powers or her voice, for
much of the music is OF comparatively low range,
and the volume of her tone was shaded to nicely,
responsive to every demand. 1t this artist
has gained most OF her previous sue
not be said that her triumph last night was
limited successes in this brilliant but restricted line
of her art For in the dramatic number of
the work one almost entirely devoid of Ornamental
ton that she perhaps, the greatest the
season has thus far afforded her. Seldom has an
American audience been stirred by perfectly
legitimate piece of vocalization as in this air.
..oh va! la mia preghiera." sung by the prma
eight times. and the extraordinary compliment
Of double encore was paid to them.
In "Nella viva trepidanza" Nine Gerster as was to
have been expected. aroused her hearers to high
pitch of excitement by the ease sweetness, precision
and briliancy of her delivery of the amazing scales
and roulades with which she prodigally en-
bellished the air. 1t is not to be won
dered at that the artists rendering of
this number has been ikened to the famous perform
snces in the vein by Malibran. Sontag and
Persiani sgnor Campanini surpassed the high
ss. as Sir AK Kenneth He He h did
powers by too forceful Of his voice
in the earlier part of the opera but sang with
to his successive numbers. that when the ring
duet reached and he gave forth his
fa ,be ead sss effect n was
Although the merciless demands of the audience
compelled him to repeat the fnale with its trying
de poiin<, twice. he stoodthis severe test uninch-
ingly and sang the note clearly and freshly the
third time as at the first The staying power OF
must be remembered that owing to the illness OF his
alternate he has sung least five times out OF six in
the twentyfour representations or opera that have
been given. Last night he received special honors.
after his romanZa in the hrst act as well as
after the great duo. that was quite enough
success had there been nothing else offered Signor
slassi made noble King Richard. realizing to the
full the authors and composers conception. he,
too. the recipient of = marked demonstration
after the IL tendete in the second act, and there
evident wish for the repetition of the aei,g.
Mime. Snico proved well suited to the music Q: the
Queen and her principal solo epcored- Siyrcr
Del Puents although having less vocal opportunity,
did not fail dramatically to give splenddiy pictur
csque realization of Nectabans the Ethiopian slave
the most original in the opera and he sang his
music conscientiously and with sustained spirit
throughout. The remaining parts were given with
the which the supporting artists Of this CON-
pany invariably bring to the minor parts
basses, did some of the best work it has
thus far given, and almost unprecedented
episode was presented IN the imperative encore
of PROD Guerrcri the opening chorus OF the piece
The female chorus did not do well, and these
singers not always in time or tune. although
they did not seriously offend. The orchestra also
showed some unfaniliarify with the music At times
although in the duet that excited the audience
SO deeply the band had important part
As Mr. Costa permitted to make some alterations
in the music of the opera at its first production
6ignor Arditi might. if so disposed, improve the
effect of the work by making some cuts in
the tedious recitatives OF the second act and mod
flying the claprap introduction Of the brass in the
accompaniment 10 the Rose Song in the first act,
which, the stands. mars the effect Of that
uuisite air. The audience large and enthusi-
astc especially during the last two acts. and the
viva Of the opera produced effect that scarcely
70 have been expected from what heretofore
known OF the work