The New York herald., 1879-11-08
AMUSEMENT
ACADEMY OF MUSIC rc-..In rRovAronE "

Fernando. signor Monti
I'm Signor Graxzi
Azucena me iAaoiaen9
Loonora Mime Adm
.n Trovatore" was produced lately in Brooklyn
by Her Majestys Opera Company, but at such short
notice and with inadequate rehearsal that criti-
cism on the merits of the performance pur-
posely deferred. "Traviata'' had been announced
for that evening. but, Nine. Ambre being suddenly
indisposed. "Trovatore" substituted after
few hours preparation. Campanini. Galass. Nine.
Adini and Miss Cary singing the principal scores
The first regular performance of the opera this
occurred last night at the Academy OF Music.
and sufficient time had elapsed for all necessary
rehearsals it is fairly open to criticism The rem
derng of the work in New York not at all equal.
In most respects. to the Brooklyn performance
the absence OF Campanini, Galassi and MISS
Cary being in wise compensated Tor by
the appearance OF Aramburo, Del Puente
aud Labache Aramburo is not by any means the
equal of Campanini; Del Puente is thoroughly
good artist but does not accomplish the results at
tained by Galass; Nine. Lablache, while she is
nm admirable Azuccna does not possess Miss Carys
vocal powers though she dramatically greater in
the role There was no ostensibe motive for the
reaotment of the cast. and the results musicaiiy.
Showed the change to be serious error
of judgment. Neither Nine. Adini nor Signor Arain
buro have made impressions so decidedly pleasant
that the management can afford to cast them hap
hazard and in order to reverse the decisions hereto
fore arrived at as to their merits they should be
placed only where they may be heard at their best
II this was done last night then. first impress
sfons confirmed and they are not artists
such they were represented to be IN pre-
lmipary managerial announcements. and the sooner
the fact is realized by the management the better 1t
will be for all parties before and behind the curtain
Mime. Adini, though she has most graceful stage
presence has not the voice nor the method to hold
successfully leading part in grand opera, and the
proportions OF the company and the general SUR
roundings in which she finds herself dwarf her
merits by the comparison and overawe as well as
pyerpower her In q smaller house and in less
ncting music she would be heard to greater advan-
tage. Aramburo is not without certain
success in his efforts-the popular and momentary
attendant brilliantly taken high Q, or
forcibly delivered passage above the staff. Such
effects always sure OF round of applause from
the upper and often the lower part of the house,
but the triumph is not enduring, and If the voice is
not melodious in all its passages, and II there
parent when it is needed, the success cannot
be called satisfactory or the result one worthy
Of the ambition OF true artist. AS an instance OF
this it is only necessary to refer to the Di Quela
Pira' of last evening, i'll which, though the phrasing
Of the early passages was faulty most enthusiastic
which a sustained high was given with wonder
ful vigor and finish.
In act first the music which fell to Signor Monti
and the chorus well done, with trifing excep-
ton to the time, some of the passages tagging
little. Nine. Adini's opening scena and cavatina
was faulty, due in a measure to her ner-
vousness The "Tacea la notte" was done
in good time. but the phrasing was bad.
allegro tDi tale amor') suffered markedly from her
agitation the Introductory phrases being music
however, and was admirably executed The concua-
ing bars would have been very effective had they not
been greatly hurried and. consequently; care
lessly sung. Aramburos romanZa, "Deserto
sulla terra" should have been de-
iivered in the opening passage mezza voce.
but uttered in clarion tones, and the lack
OF tenderness and sweetness was felt although the
fiat which he sang with his marvellous power was
went with sreas VIM but the
sion given it partook of the nature
Of force than spirit; In concert concerted d.. music
he is apt to drag the time little in rapid passages,
and his enunciation is distinct that the difference
noticed.
The opening chorus work in act second SLOW
emily in part, the male, and not the fe-
male. voices Hatting considerably. Mime. La
blaches acting in the scene was most finished.
declamatory passages were unusually strong The
duo was poorly given. the passages which should
be in agitato movement being taken very
was taken a little too slowly. Del Puente's
'll balen'' was thorough success and
tastefully sung that it was redeman6ed at
once The finale was a trife weak. Aramburo being
obliged evidently, to restrain his power in order
allow Nine. Adinis voice to carry Its share Of the
good judgment, though as result the whole lacked
trihe in vigor and consequently became little
thin weak in its effect.
The SOLDIERS chorN in act third was great i'm.
terzetto. which follows. most creditable;
the 'Giorni poveri'' was excellent. while the
done but sHihi' sti very was good. Arsmburos ara Ms
"Ah 81 ben mio showed nicer distribution of light
and shade in its rendering and possessed more
preston than anything he has yet done. 1t was not
sweet or tender. but was well phrased,
aud the brilliancy of his high notes
very great If his tones had been of a SYM
pathetic quality it would have been most
tistc as well as popular success. He added a
tanned fiat to the score. and gave it with his
power fairly bringing down the house. In "Di
Quella pira" he made the electric effect of the
evening in taking his high g. The passages
preceding 1t unevenly treated, but the house
especially that part containing evidently number
OF his countrymen-could not sufficiently applaud
the grandly given note and repeatedly called him
before the curtain. In these high and sustained
notes lies Aramburo's brillancy. and In q measure,
he is certainly very great in his command of them.
Nine. Adni failed to meet the requirements
Of the "Damor Sull'alisoria," and. unpleas-
n mt as rs ~ TO say SOL SO, H was quite iaii.
marked success III the "Ah che la more," tho quail
ty of his voice seeming to be entirely altered.
Perhaps distance and the intervening scenery tended
to soften the hardness of his tones, but certainly,
whatever the cause, it was very well and sweetly
given. Could he always sing with such quality and
retain his power the voice would be a charming one.
the duo between Del Puente and Nine. Adni was
fairly sung; the andante 'sira di acerbe lagrma''l
was unsatisfactory, but tho allegro c.Con-
tende IL .gubilo'D was really good In the
finale the "A nostri mont" was another
terzetto indiferenty executed In parts, but
as a whole fairly well done. The finale is not
strong. but considerable spirit was thrown into it.
and 1t concluded performance notably good and
notably weak in parts.
To sum up tho opera. It may be written that it
was not equal nor was it nearly equal, to the
Faust or "Linda" productions of the past ten
days. and therefore was not "a step in advance"
by any means. 1t was a retroRrade ent,
which should be followed promptly by n recovery
OF lost ground or the good opinions by the late
excellent work IN the operas last mentioned, will go
for naught.
'LA GRANDE DUcHEssE" AT THE FIFTH AVENUE
THEATRE.
The repetition last evening of the work which
made the fortune Of opera boue proved that it has
lost of its old popularity largest audience