The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-18
AMUsE1IENTS.


Naturally thore was much interest in tho
production Of" Carmen" last evening Mt Booths
Theatre not alone on account Of tho merit OF
the work. though that OF itself ia q sufficient at
traction, but because OF tho comparison that It
suggested with the performance OF tho same
opera by the Mapeson company.
Rumor had said that Carmen" rs repre-
scented In othor cities by the Strakosch COM
pany. had not taken any great hold Of tho public
admiration. and we were led therefore to the
conclusion that II was because tho opera was
insufllcicntly presented. and had consequently
anticipated q crude and unfinished perform
ance.
But this did not provo to be the case SO far
rs the general cquipmentof tho work went-its
scenery the costumes the chorus. and the con-
certed music-there was no marked difference
between the representations OF the two COM
panies. Looked ut from this general point Of
view the representation Of last evening do
serves the credit Of being styled picturesque
and effective one. showing careful and con-
scentious endeavor to present tho opera wor-
thily and to the best advantage.
When we look at the detail. however. there
were many points in which the Mapleson com
Ynny had u decided superiority. In tho first
place. in the character 81 Carmen herself. with
out desiring to enter into any ungracious com
pnrison between tho relative merits OF Miss
Hauk and OF Miss Kellogg as artists. VIC may at
ure. the qualifications necessary for the per-
sonation Of this particular character.
ot me Me- 81 lies hreG o,er IN me 9e9t part
lister. and precisely in that part where Miss
Kellogg is weakest. The "Avanera." the first
ways rendered in u delightfully."- quiet way with
soft and velycty quality OF voice. and sugges;
in Garments blood Miss Kellogg did aot sue
coed in making this as effective. She had evil
IDENTIFY, however. MS an actress n complete CON
/ ~ flsaF In NlHaa
| opera showed an abandon that gave glmpses
| OF the real demon that Carmen was. more vivid
than any that Miss Hauk even vcntured TO pre-
There were so many points Of similarity.
| however. in the acting and in the situations.
that II was evident that all Of Miss Iiauk' 5
points had been carefully studied. and many
| of them adopted by Miss Kellogg.
As whole. Miss Kcloggs performance was
ceded that Miss Hauk is the ideal Carmen
Mr.. Adams. rs Don JOSS. was brought into
| close comparison with Campanini in the same
| role OF course il will not be- pretended by any
| one that such comparison can be favorable
| the latter may be in many Respects.
Had it not been for the standard
that Campanini has Set for this eharSa &c,
| an actor and singer Of the foremost rank
| Mr.. Adams's impcrsonntton would doubtless
| have proved more interesting. 1t certainly
was. however. In spite Of this. n very crcdtanle
| one. and moro satisfactory than many % the
characters in which he hns hitherto appeared
| Miss Lancaster assumed the role in which
| Madame SINCE appeared at the Acnd-
| envy. that Of McAde'd. and gave IL with
! unexpected sweetness and delicacy. Sgnor
| Pantalconi was the IOrt1dor His song de-
scriptvo Of the perils and triumphs OF the bull
! fighter was SO graphic. although nc was evil
| IDENTITY suffering from a severe cold. that II
| scarcely LEFT room for regret for the admirall,
| Dot Puent'. who has 50 thoroughly identified
| himself with this character.
As a whole. the representation was ono Of tho
| most pleasurable ones that this company has
thus far given. The greatest shortcomi ngs
| werc IN certain 4 the minor parts. 20 which VI
| AAye not referred. and IN the orchestra.