The New York herald., 1879-09-26
AMUSEMEN
ACADEMY OF MUsIC-''sLEEPY HOLLOW, Or
THE HEAnI.EsS HoRsEMAN

At last we have q distinctive American opera that
is to say one born our soil. redolent with tho
associations of one Of our most beautiful legends.
and illustrated in delicious melodies by master
who has been identified with our people
for more than generation. 1t is entitled
ga comic pastoral opera in three acts the music by
Max Maretzek and the words by Charles aaylor."
The manner of its reception by q large audience.
representing the metropolitan world Of art. leaves
little room for doubt that it will prove to be
permanent success, be welcome addition to
the stage, and eventually become familiar In
many Of its best features to the cultured
households Of the country. In speaking thus
comprehensively, however. 1t must not be under
stood that its production last night first
On the contrary. the performance marred by
sins Of omission and commission that made an ar
ray of imperfecons which it would not be generous
to rccaptuate in connection with a drst represen-
tation. Chief among these was the inability OF
the artists to portray the gentle humor pathos and
sentiment that constitute the substratum Of tho
charming manner throughout the ibretto. Several
of the situations. for instance, afford opportunity
for the display OF the broadest of comedy.
but owing perhaps to nervousness. incxperience
or Inisconception, not one OF the artists
succeeded in causing a hearty laugh. Some of the
I,aois of broken Dutch, but with or two oxcep-
tions, and those were not prominent. one failed
tended to by So auSor cous EN-
made by IN accomplished dialect actor. Another
drawback was the unnecessary length OF number
of the songs. These could have bcen more advan-
tagoously curtailed than the dialogue. and much
impaticnce thus prevented aud time saved.
OF the music however, not word can be uttered
that is not complimentary. It is OF tho Italian
school, light. airy, harmonious and abounding in
catching melodies. The choral effects especially
fine. and rs produced last night eliclted
long md hearty enthusiasm. Mr.. Maretzck Is to
be warmly congratulated in this respect, for no has
given us q series of compositions equal to
any OF tho kind that have boon hoard
do not not contain dull or ;,iY nnintoreatieyy hey
note. Tho principal musical members comprise: -
Act introductory chorus, song of Van Ness. bari
tone entrance OF Icbabod Crane and the ballad Of
tho "Headless Horscman;" entrance OF Frau Van
Spuyten, contralto, chorus and conc rtcd piece;
ballad from Brom Bones. tenor; aria and chorus
of Katrina Van Tasscll sopranos finale Of frat act,
country dance, storm on the Hudson, appearance of
tho Headess Hofseman. Act 2--Pastorai; spinning
song. Katrina Van Tassell; duet. Katrina Van
Tasscll ana Brom Bones, tenor and soprano;
melodrama duet, Captain Kidd and Ichabod
Crane; chorus OF pirates, fairies aud do
cap,nG i"cn pHi"naoay rsl 81 faiy Queen and con-
scene and aria of the Lady In White" contralto.
Act 3-Entr'actc. "Knickorbocker Wedding
March,; ballad, Frau Van Spuyten contralto: duet
Brom Bones and Frau Van Spuyten, tenor aud con.
tralto; chorus and aria-boue. lchabod Crane drink
ing song, Van Mesa. bartone; grand and rondo
finale, Katrina Van Tasscll, soprano.
The vocal success OF the evening was scored by
Miss Annis Montague soprano of exquisite cul-
ture whose expression and plabilty of voice
were exhibited In nearly every song. She won in
stantapeous success and encored frequently.
Mrs. Florence l,ice-Knox did not have a part
which enabled her to show her voice to the best ad
been so often apparent the concert stage. Mr..
Charles Turner, the tenor, would mako
Ss'''r Dr0 ssoe Bones ho acted sowss Ts
bore of largo share Of the honors. He has
hne baritone, which he used admirably
rs Captain Kidd and Heinrich Van Nd1s. Ths