The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-10-17
dMUSEhgENTs.
The First Night OF Mr. Mnpieson'- season ut
the Academy.

the Academy.
Tho long talked OF season of Italian opcra,
under tho management OF Col Mapcson. was
begun last evening at the Academy Of Music.
II opened with every mark Of good will and
generous support ON the part Of the public. Tor
the house was as full as II could well be.
Tho questions which every one Interested in
the matter would naturally first bo inclined to
ask arc as TO how the manager has fulfilled his
promises in respect to reformation Of tho
manner OF presenting opera In this country.
and ~ to the points Of difference between this
and other seasons.
Those questions cannot be answered by the
results Of n single representation. II ls to DO
remembered that we hayo had many superb
rcndcrngs Of opera in this city with artists Of
the first rank in the leading parts and with
thoroughly competent conductors. Those who
went last evening. therefore. expecting to
sec the " Traviata" presented in some new and
transccndent style must have been disap-
pointed. for NJ II whole, II has often bccn done
here, aud quite rs well done. for that matter.
Yet II was perfectly evident from many tokens
that MIR. MnplesOn IL about To give US n
season OF well managed opera. and that II IL
his Intention To raiso the general tone ~ the
performances above the level where they havo
stood during many former seasons; In tho
first place, he il fortunate in his con-
ductor. The material of his orchestra is tho
same which other conductors have had and
there Is no better anywhere. But under n
slovcnly, cnrclcss man an orchestra will play
badly. while in the hands Of an able aud pains
taking one II will hc entirely different orgnui-
2ntion. II Is striking cNnmrl' of " like niasicr
like man. And under Arditi the orchestra last
evening played with dcliracy. smooth
ness and finish truly admirabc. II has
not been increased materially in numbers. and
IL far from being such grand body OF must
clans ~ SignOr Ardit has been accustomed to
lead Mt Mr.. Mnulrsons London Opera House.
but q was adequate TO tho requirements IL
N"rdts thtnly Instrumental work. and It's dlsci-
pllnr. ny we have said WAS excellent.
Improvement There is material here Of quite
a different character from what We have been
hecustumrd .to.a larger body OF tone. more
light and shade, better voices. and superior
si'ianly qualities. when the occasion comes
that this chorus can show what its capabilities
are It's excellence will be- seen.
As to sceueryund stage appointments there Is
nothing ~ yet Ia dazzle the eye. but tn" " Tra-
yiam is not spectacular opera. and W. do not
As To- the leading artists. it Is clear that ,hc
company II a very strong one AMI quite cunp"-
t'nt to present operas ~ thoroughly saii-sae-
ing In the principal roles were Mile. Minnie
Haurk. Signor FrapQi. and Signor Galessi;
Miss llnuck. doubtless. Is well remembered by
most 81 those who have been accustomed b. at-
tend the opera. II is Just ten years since She
left America, then with great promise ol iuiure
cmincnrc which she has fulfilled. She returns
ripcncI with her European cutur'. uninlng.
md cNp"rienc" and preseniS herself now
profession. and To- whom IL conceded foremost
rank IN the opera houses 81 Europe. Inst
evening sho was heard under certain
very great disadvantages, which VIII apply
London the pitch is lover by nearly
n scmi-toue than in this country Those who
know anything u singing can easily ronli1o the
POSITION IN which singer n placed who sud-
denly IL called upon To- sing through nm entire
which she has been accustomed. The
better the, singer and the truer The car.
the moro likely Il is 60 adhere 10 It's positive AS
so'iaiinns with the tonc. and So inevitable az
times to b" little fiat. But To- this l,tch the
singers must acrustom themselves. unless new
brass instruments arr brought over. Miss
lIauck. nevcrihclo under the-ed lisa lvantages.
displayed I. voice OF exceptional excellence.
It's not one 70 which every praise can be- gwen.
for it has boon surpassed by that Of other
singers whom We could name. in absolute
beauty Of texture and quality. Nor did she
seem t. possess tho pow 81 diminishing the
tone tO the vanishing point while pr serving its
quality. which Is ono ~ the most signal and
telling gra'fs ot vocalist. Bat ON the other
hand her voice Is fun and resonant ami of good
culture. She exc 'utcs With precision and clear
ness. and brings TO. the Interpretation ~ her
character fine dramatic instincts. u Miss Hauck
had not become singer she might easily have
been DISTINGUISHING actress. and It Is this dra-
matte power which has helped her 10 the nigh
place she mas won on the lyric stage
IL requires really great artist TO move an
audience to emotion in opera. and this triumph
Miss Hau,k achieved in the death scene in the
last act of the opera. last evening Even with
memories oi Moll'~kn fresh in mind. her act
INK did not seem either tame or uiyiu by conf
or sisnor FrNpolli tho tenor. II is unneccs-
sary To- speak at any length since lie bar so re-
Gently hccn heard In opera In this city. He
| sang creitahly und N"'"p'arN. Siguor 6aas-i +,
! the baritone, mud" = very decided success. H."
| viii. beyond a DOUBT max, himself great
! fiNNritn. Tor tho beauty oi his Noi' nnI the
| excellent art with whi he uses It can never
| fail - win him adm ration. In q word. CONE
sidering the great q nj 'ultes that have 90 Ice
| met nnd overcome "a ia" pre- niali"n oi opera
| IN this country. whore II receives mo- support
| from either Government 90 "a wealthy nobility.
| il must be- conceded that Col. Mapie~un has so
| far shown himself deserving If the most corr
! dial support ana his Snn-Ii 90 every success.
! Tho ensemble az his Operas. II is easy 10 iore-
! s'r. Will B." ~ sterling mrrt AMI sum 'lrut 90
satisfy the most or.tl'a drWund- no thr public.
! \ wort III conclusion iUr department of Che
| ouorn rarely provided FOR in this country. while
u - hold To- be u"s-trlly nu ur 'ouIluinlu 90 %
! II IN Eutopt-tho ballet The sixteen ilsuraut' rs
| We're good, and made the second at Aotecahly
| brilliant