The New York herald., 1879-02-27
ADJUSTMENTS.
.1oHESanrN" AT THE ACADEMY OF MUSIC.

"LoHENaRIN" AT THE ACADEMY OF MUSIC.
rSnsnsra suor slaor lei pSon,s
LArsIdo Del Re- signor Franesschi
H's".. 1@'e'~" eo's's
Richard wagner's romantic opera of "Lohengrin."
with signor canpanin in the title role. and Nine.
Gerster Elsa. attracted very brilliant audience
last night to the Academy Of Music. 1t Is long
time since the New York musical world has had an
opportunity of hearing performance Of this most
popular work of the Bayreuth Meister. and
lovers OF wagner's music therefore hailed Mr
Maplesons decision to give it with considerable
pleasure 1t is scarcely possible that those
among the audience. however, who know any
thing about wagncrs music. or who have
listened to performance Of '.Lohengrin" before.
could have left the Academy with the most
favorable impressions Indeed. it may be asserted
that it is scarcely possible to conceive Of
performance Of "Lohengrn' more thoroughly
Incomplete and wretohed. 1t is true that Signoi
Campanini made most brilliant Lohengrin.
and Signor Foil majestic and excellent voiced
King; but Mme Gersters first essay to delineate tho
charming character of Elsa far from being
satisfactory while the chorus sang consistently out
do most italian conductors. to give sympathetic
rendering of tho orchestral 1t would occupy
perfections obs and % sins IS OF Of last nights per- ,ea
formance. Did not know that Mr. Maple
30 s"n give m us t opera % Sne would
''Lohengrin" either intended . huge jokeor
~ deliberate insult to New York Wagnerites.
the cuts were made SO relentlessly that
few more might have left only Lohengrin and Else
and duet between Friedrich and ortrud. for in
stance. at the beginning Of the second act WAS
to the s The 20 s
be supposed. quite disastrous. considered from
an artistic ,adsa standpoint. It was picture
closing the second act when Elsa goes to the Min
ering in the bridal chamber. while the singing OF the
chorus disgraceful. There was in short,
scs scieniSusiy ''s given % masniaeens
rendering of the title role. however, compensated
somewhat for the deaciencies the sins Of omission
made the third act almost superb in spite Of his
roundings. His long narrative. in which he tells
fore, os s was m piece % q IN musical I decismasion celia
which would have delighted King Ludwig. The
singer was greeted at its conclusion with genuine
burst OF hearty applause most fully earned In the
last act especially SigEor Foil distinguished himself
very majestic ana ID exceedingly arsistic manner ' =
Mime. Gersters assumption of the character Of
Elsa was not. unfortunstely, so satisfactory
pate. The gifted artist. who has charmed
her audiences with many brilliant rcnditions had
very crude conception Of the character Of the
Sweetest, pprest, trusting Elsa. Though she sang
with .'II the ''c character shs had - assumed She
had learned her part perfectly musically considered
but she had forgotten to acquire by thorough and
loving study Of the character the soulfulness
necessary to the proper delineation of Wsgner's
most charming ideal heroine. Madslne Gerster's
Elsa is too unnatural, too operate" In every
movement and gesture, in every attempt u
facial expression and the revelation Of emotion to
make it acceptable comparable with the exquisite
delinextions made familiar by Albani and Nilsson.
must have been surprise indeed to her many adj
nirers who fully appreciate what she has already
done and what shc is capable OF doing. to her
give Characterization at once crudely conceived
and SO imperfectly rendered. Sgnor Del
Puente sang the role of Telramund in .
passsblc fashion. and Madame Lablache ex:
erted herself creditably Ortruda. The
beauties of the overture lost to the majority Of
the audience amid the clatter made by late comers
and the chatter Of the small boys who permit
ted by thoughtful management to offer
tor salc the photographs Of the eminent mem-
bers of Her Majestys opera. To conclude,
"Lohengrin" was given last evening in fashion
quite unique for its disgraceful rendering and mutt
lated shape.