Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-02-21

MUSIC At THE HuB-THE sTRAKoscH OPERA
sEAsoS-CARY, KELLOGG AND llTTA-lhA
MUSICAL SOCIETIES.

patronage. Aside from the merits of the
conpauy, there are reasons why the atten-
dance should have been large from the first.
Though Maine is her native State, Miss
Cary has always been considered essentially
B lstonian. She is the pet OF the people
here they have never been able to praise
her enough At her benefit, last Friday
night. the house was crowded. Miss
Kellogg is not great favorite in Boston.
She is too petulant and too self-conscious.
She has, nevertheless, many admirers here,
as was shown last nigh. at her benefit, when
the largest and best audience of the Stra-
kosch season filled all parts of the house.
The most exquisite bouquets and baskets OF
flowers, too, were literally showcred upon
her and among the rest was little cupid,
made entirely of flowers, said TO be the gilt OF
her SISTER in song Miss Cary. A few OF
Miss Kellogg's friends also presented her
costly card-cass and beautiful golden chapiet
of laurel leaves with berries of red coral.
These imposing demonstrations were oc-
casioned in part by the current report that
this is Miss Kellosg's last season on the
operatie stage. This report. however, has
no foundation in truth, for Miss Kellogg has
recently engaged to sing with the Strakoseh
company in Europe for series OF at least
three years No one seeing her on the stage
would suspect that she was nearly forty
years of age, much less that Miss Cary had
seen that number of years Yet really Miss
Kellogg is en- the verge Of forty and Miss
Cary is only little Younger. OF the two.
Miss Cary is much the better preserved. In
addition to these attractions the fact that
Adams is a Boston man has added to the
ready enthusiasm of our conservative people.
The three artists Of whom have spoken
have all been so long and so fayorably known
on the operate stage, that any criticisms Of
mine, either favorable or adverse, would be
of little use. | will only say, then, that Miss
Cary was ever satisfactory; usually good
deal more than that. At the benefit, last
night. Miss Kellogg appeared in two new
roles. In the first act of "Lohcngrin" she
assumed the part of Elsa in the third act
of "Rigoletto" she did not appear; in the
third act of 1.-The Huguenots" she assumed
the part OF Valentine. In each case she
merited praise, and she showed, also, how
very varied are heI powers. Mr.. Adams
was not in so good voice as usual.
The American prima donna, Miss Maria
Litta, not only promises great achievements
but she has already achieved decided success
Ga the operate stage she is to the West
what Miss Mary Anderson, of Louisville. is
on the theatrical stage. Her voice is high
mezzo-soprano of great power, unusual hexi'
bility, and remarkable beauty, sweetness
and sympathy. As an actress she is moi
deficient. Tho failing that prophecies mos'
injury to her reputation is lack of strict
musical conscientiousness. In a young
artistic, who has reputation to establish
any signs Of carelessness are to DO deplored
1t seems great treat is in store for thu
people Of Burlington and Northern Vermont
on the occasion Of the opening Of the new
Howard Opera House. There is no more popu
lar opera among those given by the Maple,
son and Strakosch companies than Lucia d
Lammermoor As it has been presented
time and again here recently Miss Litta as
sumes the title role. Parts of thi,
opera arc most exciting, especially
50 is the "mad scene - but Mis-
Ltta executes her part with freedom
and correctness Of judgment that deiy
seyole criticism. Signor Lazzarini wht
assumes the part Of EdgariO, is young
tenor of light, sweet voice. lie has yet t.
acquire strong dramatic power. Pantaleon
as Eurieo Tor, to AnglIcize the Italian, a.
Henry is very good. Miss Lancaster has {
remarkably sweet voice. Gottschalk i
excellent The chorus and orchestra ar'
fairly good. II any comparison were TO b.
made between the Mupleson and thu
S.rakosch companies, would have to &C
knowledge that, although the chorus of thu
former is made up in part Of the homelicst o
all homely women, they sing better thar
the chorus of the Strakosch company. Ii
spite also, of the limited patronage awarded
the Mapleson COMPANY. believe, and friend
in whose good Judgment have confidence
share with me the opinion, that Nine. Ger
ster and Campanini have no compecrs il
America on the operatic stage.
The Apollo Club has been considered tn
most "hightonei" Of the musical organiza
tions in this city. 1t consists of sixty eigh
tenors and BASES, and gives concerts t
associate members only, in Music Hall fou
times year 1.-TWO concerts, each repeatedly
under the leadership Of Is. j. Lang.
The Cecilia is another organization Of
similar kind, excepting that 1t number
among its members both ladies and gentle
men. Like the Apollo. it gives two concer!
leach repeatedly year under the leadersh
of Mr.. Lang, before an audience Of associat
members in fremont Temple.
A few evenings since the Cecilia gave a
excellent concert, performing selection
from Bacb's Cantata, my Spirit was i
IIeaviness," which displays well Bach
skill in counterpart and Gado's Cantata