The sun., 1878-02-16
AMtSEAfEN1S.
uaievy'. Jewes. at the Academy.

1t is n pleasure to hear again so fine an
opera as Halevys Juivc." and one so COM
partively fresh. 1t has been donc time to
time in this city at intervals of five or moro
years. One notable performance was given
on the night when the Academy VI Music was
destroyed by fire.
This opera has been rendered here in French,
In Italian. and last evening 1t was given in
German. Some OF these representations have
been OF great merit one especially we have in
mind. in which the tenor Stigelli made so
great sensation in the character of the jew
ish father Eiedzsr. role which he rendered
with great dramatic power. and with voice
almost equal in extent and robust vitality 10 that
OF the famous Duprez, for whom the part was
written Formes ut the time OF this production
assumed the role OF the Cardinal, Nine. Fabbri
being the Eudorid.
In this country La Juivc" never has had any
very extended success. The case is different in
Paris. where 1t has been popular for more than
forty years. and has won for its author the chief
part OF his honorable reputation. since. of the
thirty operas that he wrote. none have SO per-
sistently kept the stage.
II was written for the Grand Opera. and was
Intended rs great and splendid spectacle. and
when II is brought ont at Paris its production is
always attended with that spendOr Of scenery
and costume and that lavish outlay. which are
such essential elemcnts OF It's success
manager aud lends him long purse 10 draw
from. Here private enterprise fears to assume
the pecuniary responsibility in matters OF music.
The consequence Is that. while we have had ut
many theatres dramas superbly mounted with
the most elaborate scenery. prepared especially
Tor the OCCASION the opera put on Win shnhoy.
cheap and unsuitable settings. and everything
is done upon cheap scale.
Such work as Halcvy's suffers especially
from such treatment II Is written up 10 a GER
tain standard ot spectacular, effect and when
~ alslr Ia .fttll-
certed both for chorus and Tor orchestra. Both
these bodies need to be large ana thoroughly
are weak and insufficient The gorgeous pa
geants that give II such ecat in Paris also sink
But though In ali these valuable accessories
10 success the opera. as presented last evening.
was feeble. this loss was partly made good By
character. for example, Of Rachel. the Jewess.
was portrayed By Madame Pappenheim.
| Pappenheim, with that natur;llness. Earnest
| ness. and sincerity which are her distinguishing
| II is pity that she thought the necessities Of
| Jew lsh costume constrained her to the wear
| ing OF such very unbecoming dresses. The
coming in women whom nature has blessed
| with rather more than the usual allotment Of
avoirdupois. Parepa IN her day used 20 suffer
| in that direction and so does the majestic Pap
| pcnheim.
Mr.. Adams was overweighted with the role OF
| Eledkd'. As we have intmated il was written
for teore di Jorzd Of the heroic order, and this
| Mr.. Adams is not. Flenze1' is nm old mana
| jew oil the jews. mating the CHRISTIANS with Il
bitterness born of long years OF suffering and
| persecution. He is in every way "A man Of in
tense nature.
Now the individuality of Mr.. Adams does not
| lend itself readily to the reflection of these
| characteristics. He is not only not an old man.
| but his pretence of being one WIS exceedingly
shallow and his youth shone through every
| acton. Then he is not intense. but suave.
and when he tried to express that rage
! Of bitterness and hate that nre animatlng
| characteristics OF the old jew he quite failed TO
reach the requisite level OF feeling, and gave IA
weak solution Of what was intended 10 he Of the
| first potency. In the scene In which he distrib-
| utes the unleavened bread NJ his table. where
the lesser emotions were called for. his action
| and his singing were alike good.
| In Mile. Human the part OF Eudorid which
| contains much fine music. found an excellent
| and while he looked the part impressivey he
sang often so much out Of tune as 10 destroy all
pleasure in listening 10 him. and he quit.
spoiled tho famous air in the first act. which is
usually the most affective point of the
opera for the BdssO. The attendance on this
as on the previous nights OF this season. WAS
very arge-what ls called an Oyerflowing house
! and the opera was listened to with attention
| and undoubted interest. While the situations
! are exceedingly dramatic and striking
! for the librrtto is one of the best
that ever came from Scrlhe's mastery
! penl the music seldom rises TO any point of in
| spiration. Halevy was not n genius, but hc was
a man Of unluestionably great talent and Of
bears the marks Of the most careful study and
elaboration. II is a work which. while IL may
| not arouse enthusiasm, has never failed 10 COM
| muni rpsuprt and admiration.