The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-12-10
AMUSElfHNTS.
Bsin,'. TaiI.man" a, ,h. Academy.

When Balfe wrote "The Talisman," work
which he did not live to see produced. he had
felt the influence OF the great recent movement
in musical art Doubtless. also he had felt the
effect OF public opinion which had come at
last 10 understand how essentially trivial and
weak most Of his work really was.
In The Talisman. therefore he tried TO be
strong. But as II is not in the power OF man TO
add cubit TO his stature. neither s II in the
power Of n weak man by taking thought to him
self TO become u strong one SO Balfe's efforts
came TO very little He had. happily. a GER
tain easy gift Of sugar-coatod melody. so
great was the dearth Of English composers
that on tho strength OF such musical Upper
ism rs Dreamt that Dwelt Ia Marble Halls"
and melodies Of like calihre Balic had pro-
dtgious success. He was for long time nj the
top OF the wave. Few men ever achieved so
mnch rePuie. On .r 50 slight q hasls; The Boz
ella" and the long list Of other elaborate tribes
wore all OF the same thin. poor texture
Ba'te never had bad a good musical educa-
non. and even affected. II Is said. to consider
the serious study Of counterpoint u waste OF
time. This was well enough so long az the
rise above tho level Of MIS- Work dd w6ns91,
NJ last Il did. he probably realized on what ex-
cessively slender supports his reputation stood.
and sought To- strengthen II by little more
elaboration in the " Talisman." But II was too
late, He mad lived in Weakness. and his latest
work was conceived ar executed in the same
And yet Balfe always had a lucky star and
found the best impressarios 20 bring ont his
works. md the best artists NJ times to sing in
them. For example this poor " Talisman." by
Whit admirable artists It has been illnslrate
N1son took the role Of Edih in England.
Tletiens has also taken part in it, and here in
the cast we have Madame Gerster and Madame
Sinico. Camuanlni. Del PueDte. and Gaassi.
artists 10 display his work
1t was performed here once before at the
Academy by Miss kellogg's company. but so in
differently that the full measure OF its poverty
WIS apparent.
Last evening this weakness was in great
part covered up by the artistic singing. In adj
miring Gerster Campanini. Galhssi, and Del
Iuente. Bale WIS nearly forgotten. His melo-
the evening is a fine instance OF the triumph Of
mind over matter. and the power Of fine singers
ureadbare effects interesting.
Inc opera; moreover. was very tastc'nlly
mount"d. The scene h"lng laid In the Holy
Land. gives an optoriun ~ Tor some very pic
tpresque costumes ana landscape effects. The
choruses were well sung. especially the elah-
which the " Ave Maria" for female voices
was greatly aided by an excellent organ behind
the scenes. II ia really a now thing In the his
tory OF the opera o. hear supporting organ
that Is ANYTHING above the grade OF wheeIy
and untuned meludeon. Col. VI 4plrson should
others.
The point Of the ouorn which seemed to give
W" l,lEN'Ht shtl-lh'U nh was thc Splrlci ana
effective duct. in the third act between
s Mms, S sG6 gnd GSmp"ni33 In this is
admirably given that the artists were
obliged 10 repeat It twice before the
audience would be- queted. In spite Of tho
intrinsic poverty Of musical thought and Of
originality. and In spite Of the fact that as a
or element Of emotion, neyertheiess tho
general effect Of the work, hy reason IL
the series Of separate pictures IL presents III
Spectacular effects. ami the vehicle II furnishes
Tor the display Of fine singing is such that there
IA no reason To belleye that IL will not prove
popular. Certainly there was no indication
but rather the reverse.
The Edh Of Nine. Gorster could be said &c
be great creation. for there WAS nothing in IL
on which 10 build up charn ter ; but certainly
tho part could not have been more chUrmingly