The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-10-17
AMUSEM ENTS.
ACADEMY OF MusrC--oPENING OF THE OPERA
srAsoN OF 1S78-79-s.LA rRAytArA."
Colonel Mapiesou ably fulflllod his pledge

Colonel Mapiesou ably fulfilled his pledge 10 tho
New York public IN presenting tho FIRST Of
his series OF Italian operas ~ tho Academy
OF Music last night He also exhibited tho
fertility OF resource which no evidently may
command whom required TO conquer unforeseen
difficulties It win be remembered that until within
{ day or two Ella Sonnambaia'' was announced
sbo opening piece with Milo Gerster In the part Of
Amina. Not being aoclimatcd this lady suddenly
taken III, and as . few hours notice s became
necessary to make entire change OF pro-
gramma Aaosher prima donna Mile. Minnie Hauk-
an American girl who has won many ;aures abroad,
was promptly brought TO the 'front.' "Traviata'' was
announced, . couple OF rehsarsais suficsd 10 make
u familiar 10 the well trained orchestra and choras
ana u presented last evening VITA ensemble
that reflected only credit upon tho veteran manager
and nearly all The persons concerned.
The audience ono Of tho largest, most fashion
Academy. Hundreds were turned away before the
rinsisg up Of tho curtain, and even the top-
most gallery Was little else than jam
0t humanity, In which many OF our
best ladies and gentlsmsn wero obliged 10
struggle Tor standing room The remark, however,
equally applies tho rost oil the house. the three.
dollar price OF ndm,s being drawback TO the
general curiosity TO witness the inauguration Of tho
The changes that have taken place In tho Acsd.
emy-the new carpets IN the CORRIDORS; the rich
crimson curtain made 70 reflect It's warmth from be-
hind the iootllghts; tho tropical plants dts
Yestsursns where ladies' and soa.Ismsa daring tho
entv'dctes may intermioele in The enjoyment Of
ices, creams and general convcrsatiou--havc already
described In those columns Ii scarcely
sary add that the improvements and Innovasions-
for such undou o,ediy they arewere thoroughly on
joyed. The mounting OF Tho opera was likewise IN
keepias Win excellent taste. snheusn .
discover evidences OF tho hurry with which
the various stage arrangements bad been made. Tho
taults however, are too insignificant under the
cumslances TO call for uniavorabIe comment first,
OF the orchestrn. IL consisted OF sixty proc
Ph,iharmoaio Society or OF Theodore Thomas, late
orgauixalion, aud was conducted by the famous
slguor Arditt who is popularity known In aim,s.
every household OF the land the composer OF al
Bacio" and score OF other boautui airs
FROM tho opening motto Of the overture until
q rendition OF tho exquisite passages In
sTrxvisia" manner that has rarely been equalcd
IN America and could not fall recognize tho pros
encc OF q master band. The chorus likewise gave
evidcnce OF careful TRAILING and hroas TOUT the per-
torrance exhibited Tho accuracy and culture That
only results from long prnctlce.
The ehici interest naturally attached 10 tho APP
pearance Of Milo. Minnie Hank, tho prima donna Of
American homo alter many years OF absence.
during which she has scored many successes
terpreta,ion of tho part Of v,oc.a IN some partc-
u,ars was expected At her hands. Her reception
was Attended with bounti,ul offerings OF flowers
She Inns clear, ringing, resonant, so-
prano voice, full Of many doi,clous notes that
finger PLEASANTLY In the ear. bat they are not all
equal, There were times during the evening when
her execution was apparently iauitlcss, aud again
phrases ~ which, either iron tho nervousness inct
dent 10 hrst night or from soms other cause, sho
failed - compare favoraby with some OF her prcdc-
cesgof1
In dramatic action sho generally excellent, and
showed tho results OF careful study with her Euro
ropean masters. little OF hcr stage business
new, bat Milo. Hauk the uve ntionul
vioieta with whom The majority or tho opera going
public familiar. Taken all In all, however, iho
impre sion she maae WAS natsring, had occa-
sion 10 be satisfied with tho frequent applause and
recalls that were scattered through thc evening
Signor Franoiii, the Alfredo OF tho evening,
has a sympathetic tenor voice--nos strong, but
offcctivc--aIways IN tune, always artsticaiIy en-
pIoyed, and, added 10 . handsome presence, 10 was
calculated to make him a favoritc.
Germont was represented by Signor Gasssi, a new
baritone, whose superb rendering, especially OF ID
Provenza, won All instant success. Througho
the opera the sweetness OF oppression and the cor
rectness Of hts vocasm every where observable
and mark him at once as valuable acqusi ton
operate stage. lie likewise warmly and ire
qucntiy cncorcd. The remainder OF tnc cast oai tor
no special prnme or blame
Mile Mavna Cavaaszi led the ballet advertisement
acceptabiy,
Tomorrow lie Nozzc de Figaro will DO given,
and on Monday .Faus,.n