The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-12-29
ADJUSTMENTS.
ACADEMY OF LUCIA"

ACADEMY OF MUsIc-'LUcIA."
The largest operate matinee that has been given
This season filed the Academy of Music yesterday
until it almost impossible to obtain foothold
in the doorways. Nine Gerster has become so
famous in her several roles and has well illustrated
the reputation she brought from Europe. that it is
not a matter of surprise that she is attracting the
largest audiences assembled in New York. Her
pure voice. exquisite technique and the sympathy
that attaches TO genuine warmth of expression,
combined with the true dramatic art with
which she has illustrated every character. well
calculated TO make impression and win for her in
the New as well as the old World the praise
enjoy the opera. Her Lueia has already been de-
scrbcd and is therefore unnecessary to add to the
words OF praise that attached TO her former appear
IT is one of her fayorite characters, and
ables her TO introduce many splendid vocal effects.
These thoroughly enjoyed yesterday, for she
sang with tasteful fcrvor that will long be
membercd by lovers of music and in going
from New York to Boston she leaves behind her
many artistic "reminiscences. Campanini. Galassi
and Foil were likewise in admirable condition. ana
never sang excellently Lucia abounds in
arss and choruses that familiar in every Guilt
waited home circle and it is not wonder that the
vast audience was held entranced from the beginning
TO the end of the performance Les Papillons
closed the season oe Her Majcsty's Opera
sTEINwAY HALLe--'sTHE MESSIAH"
The largest audience that has been gathered at
Steinway Hall this season was present at the per-
formance of THE Messiah last night by the Oratorio
Society The good effects of the public rehearsal of
yesterday evident in every feature of
the performances, especially in the chorus,
which fuller in numbers than Mt the
rehearsal and sang throughout with unhagging zeal.
II inspired Its efforts complimented by
frequent applause. and the unusual honor of
core attended the rendering of For Unto Us Child
is Born" The sooists, reinforced by Mr. NJ W.
Whitney left little to be desired Miss Hauk per-
ceptbly improved her admirable performance of yes
tcrday. singing Rejoice Greatly with true apprc-
citation of its spirit. and giving "Come Unto
Him and Il Know That My Redccmer
deiieacy Miss Drasdii. as before. aroused
the audience deeply in He Shall Feed His
Flock and Mr. simpson sang with fine feeling. il
not with power AIr. whitney, in tine bass part. was
tower or strength that gave balance and solity to
the performance as whole. The fatigue and expo
snow left but few traces upon his voice.
which which was nearly in its best .t, estate In
Shall Sound he electrif d the audience with his
low c. which other bassp can give as he can in
oratorio, and his recitatyes effectively
dered. The orchestra played better than ut the
hearsal and the strings were exceptionally good in
were not as happy and the trumpet accompaniment
in 1.-The Trumpet Shall sound not
what it should have been Mr. $. p. Warren
gave admirable accomplishments and Dr.
Damrosch led with his usual good taste and skill
He made several cuts. all Of which judicious
'ccpt the omission OF the fne tenor air Thou Shalt
Break Them II this be omitted why not dis
.pense with the chorus, surely He Hath Borne Our
.lriefs, the music of which not significant of the
sense Of the words. and which IF technically ad-
,mirable," is as placed in the score tresome? And
why not. too cut out some of the da capo passages
sin the tremendous closing chorus worthy is the
Lamb, where the iteration OF one phrase is
aessive as to suggest that the composer designed
choral tournament of four partsy Its execution last
night Was complimentary to the endurance of the
singers. but it would be pleasure to have DR.. Dam
.roschs revisions ruthessly applied to this
sother portions of the The great length of the
performance satisfactory as it was indicated that
he work is yet too long to be altogether agreeable.