The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-16

Marchcttfs first successful opera, his
Ruy Bias" was brought out on Friday evening
at the Academy. The principal characters were
distributed MS follows
Donna Maria Queen Of Spain Madame Marie Ro2e
tisida. lady liz waiting ............ Madame sinicO
Euy Mas sgnrr Cnmptmm
~" ""'N''i
In the fall OF 1874 Mr.. strakosch gave the
opera Mt the Academy. with Nine. Potentini.
Miss Cary and Signors Carpi and Del Puente
in the cast 1t was not then very sue
cessfu in attracting public favor Everywhere
in Italy. however it has been very
popular and any person who happened
10 have been in any Of the principal Italian
cities. especially Milan or Florence. when it was
most In vogue few years since must have
become toleraby familiar with its principal
melodies. for they found their way at once
to the streets and were constantly being
sung by stroers in the evening. after
the manner Of that musical rnce. and played
by military bands in the pazas.
Marchetti had written two operas previous 10
this. and both had completely failed. lie retired
in disbursement TO his country residence in
the Apennlnes and being a man Of wealth.
and not dependent on his art remained
in scclusion for eight years. giving him
self up TO hunting and not penning line.
~ last yielding to the solicitations OF his
venture rs a composer anu wrote THIS
opera. which was brought out ut In
Scala in the spring Of 1869. aud OF n dozen new
operas that were given the same year--lor they
nre liberal OF new works in that birthplace of
the arts-it was the only ono that succeeded
in gaining public favor.
For this success it was probably in con-
siderable part indebted to Victor Hugo.
Marchett is not the first composer that has
been helped to a consistent and interesting
libreito Ivy the great dramatst. Musically con-
sidered. the work Is OF very slight texture. Mar
la 81 - ala4.s
any intensity OF passion. His melodies are To a
certain degree graceful and pleasing but COM
In his concerted music and flnaes docs the
composer rise to any grandeur or force
other than that simulated strength which
comes from mnssing Of sound, and which
is in easy reach OF any writer who has mas
tered the rudiments OF his art. But the opera
is carried along by its excellent plot. bv the
tie ceremonial Of the court. and the
fine acting OF artists concerned in its
mini and Gaassi most distinguished them
selves. The beauty and rrposr Of Madame
Rozo made 1t easy for her to assume the queenly
role with grace and dignity. and her singing
WIS inspired by correct taste. The dramatic
interest OF the opera eliminates IN the fourth
act in which CampHnini has m occasion for
the display of that intensity OF emotion OF which
he Is n master.
furious enemies meet, and in which RHV Bias
first slays his foe and then poisons himself.
was as realistic MS anything that has
been given ON the operate stage this winter.
In general quality of acting It resembles
the last scene in Carmen, in which Cam
pHnnI always makes SO striking an effect. and
II is easy to see why this role OF Ruy Bias has
been 30 generally pronounced abroad as one Of
his strongest characters.
The ensemble OF the opera was excellent.
The chorus Of Italians was evidently on iigm"r
ground than In Wagner's Lohongrin" music.
ana left nothing to be desired.
Ardit's leading was characterized by that un-
censing vigilance over every matter of detail.
that control over his forces. and that knowledge
OF effect that have done so much to make the
success OF Col. Mapleson's company.