The New York herald., 1879-11-23
AMUSEME ENTS.

The matinee performance of "Martha" given yes
terday at the Academy of Music was great improve
ment in many respects ON the previous rendering
of the opera this season by Mr.. Mapleson's
company. Tho concerted music, which hereto
fore has been the weak point in the
performance, now goes much smoother and
there is little left to do to make the whole work en-
tirely satisfactory. AS it is now sung by Mlle VAL
leria Miss Cary. Signor Campanini and Herr
Behrens. it thoroughly answers all popular
demands. and even to the moro critical
listener it is wanting in but few respects
1t stands prominently in the quartet of operas
Faust" Linda "Martha' and 'Aida"-which
have been credit to the season. and ia attractive
a score to the general public any OF its class.
Mile Valleria's warm welcome again proved
that she is becoming strong favorite with
the audiences ut the Academy. and her
singing yesterday tended to confirm the good
opinions written of her. She sang charm
ingly, and it only here and there that
little faults, yet to be corrected were noticeable.
The famous Flower Song in the second act she sang
most sweetly and tenderly, and in but one
direction need Improvement be looked for. The
Italian 'i" Mile. valleria does not seem
to be able to pronounce purely in her music.
and as a consequence the notes on which she sings
such words forir, rugiade. guardin, destin,
&C.. become strongly nasal 1t is seemingly
trhng cause but the ho1d eeci srrs SERIOUS ana so
it the purity of passages which
otherwise would be most sweetly yocalized;
The English words Of 1.-THE Last Rose of Summer"
which are often substituted for the Italian under an
encore Mlle valleria does not sing effectively. as
has been noted heretofore in the HERALD. She
has evidently accepted the suggestion. as yester-
day the English words were not given in
repeating the rbs SONG He While Aan dsannon
ment to many wise one and in good judg-
ment as in adherng to the original she is hoard at
effectively render the paintive English ballad Her
duos with Campanini and with Miss Carry were very
well done. and her acting was. throughout, excel
lent Taken all for all we may be glad II we can
always have good Marta.
Miss Cary was in prime voice. and acted Nancy
with an amount of vim and fun that carried her
scenes off in the brightest manner. She was brim-
full OF merriment. and those who thought
lady ought pSt to play football mada ue ON the %
lowance for her superabundance of spirits
and the momentary forgetfulness Of the bounds OF
part better, her high notes coming out finely. Her
special vocal opportunities are in the Esser mesta
in very perfect manner. Indeed, she was excel
lent throughout the opera.
Campanini was. &c, &C.. &c. 1t is most monoto-
nous to repeat again and again the same remarks as
to the method and superb results exhibited by this
finished artist in his singing The "Solo Profugo and
the we'll known Mappari" were given with the Same
exquisite feeling and tenderness as before In the
latter there was bemish-not fault-in trifing
hoarseness. which has been noticed on both Of the
of Lionel. Attention was directed to it yes
terday. not because it nterfered with the
superb treatment he gave the aria, but because it
suggested that in the constant and severe de-
mands lately made upon him he has been
prodigal in the use Of his powers. and
that an organ valuable to him.
self and his audiences should be used dscreetly.
His constant response ''encores'' and repetition
| Of exacting and extended arias undoubted evil
dences Of his desire to please but not of his discre
| ton.
To Herr Behrens must be credited some Of the
| improvements in yesterdays, over previous, per
formances OF MARTA" The concerted music he sang
| with better regard for the tempo and the volume
| of the voices joined to his. and the result
was excellent The "Porter's Song still his
| stumbling block to success. and though he en-
deavored to invest it with hghtness and
| vivacity tho natural heavness Of his voice
initiated against it. Herr Behrens' voice is good
but it is ponderous-elephantine in its dignity
| and one might well look for sprightliness
| in the gambols of elephant to ex.
| pect 1t in voice such as Herr Behrens
And this s nothing against the artist the quality
is most admirably adapted to the grand rendering
| of certain roles. But 1t does not bring out the
| 'Porters Song" effectively.
Altogether the opera WE'LL and is deserving OF
hearty encouragement from the public should 1t be
again produced with the cast which sang it yester
| day.