The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-05-18

stage reforms. however. switch had already
been inaugurated elsewhere by Mozart. 1t was
not merely that Rossini enriched the orches-
tration to striking degree. but revolving from
the delay ofthe dramatic movement caused by the
number OF arias written for each character he
gave prominence to the concerted pieces. using
them where monoloRue had been the rule. He
developed. likewise. the basso and baritone
parts giving them marked importance in seri-
Gus opera. and worked out the choruses and
finales with the most elaborate finish. Passing
over La Gazza Ladra." Adelaide" and
"Adina," we como to a work which forms one
Of Rossinis most solid claims to Immortality.
Nose in Egyto" originally produced ut the
Saint Carlo in 1918. II is worth noting that
while the success OF this work rs an opera was
marvellous it failed in London ms an oratorio.
Semramide." performed in Venice five years
afterward. was the last OF Rossini's Italian
operas. and was by no means well received.
though the verdict OF time has placed II high
among the masterpieces of the century. Hence
forward the career OF the composer was to be
associated with French music his last and
greatest opera. William Tell" being written
subsequent to his settlement in Paris. This last
named work was. written. with the authors
usual rapidity. during brief visit to friends
country seat. and in its original framework
Vuto ulleTcnt from lno present form. nau
run OF ffty-six representations. or all
that characterized his earlier performances.
very little is dscoverable in Tell meretricious
establishment. shakes. runs. and cadences
being carefully avoided. while unusual rich
ness OF form and careful finish Of detail are
combined with grandeur OF outline. Even the
melodies have not the stamp and style OF his
preceding compositions. but keep only their
graceful charm aud lively coloring. II was
prophesied on all hands that this creation
opened new career TO Rossni. but. as a matter
OF fact 1t marked his retirement from tho field
Of music ut tho age OF 81. though his life was
prolonged for forty years 1t is true that he sub
sequently wrote tho Messe Solennelle" and the
" Stabat Mater" OF which the latter is accepted
as a masterpiece. though its brilliant and SNOWY
texture and lack OF devotional solemnity arc
thought to preclude Rossini from ranking as a
religious composer. or Rossini's two most
conspicuous disciples. Donzett was apparently
prevented by early death from doing full justice
to his powers. Yet in the short space OF twenty
six years no produced not less than sixty-four
operas. besides mass OF other music. The
first that gained him great credit was Anna
Bologna" which. however. now is rarely sung.
even In Italy. Then came in rapid succession
"fElisire dAmore." Lucia" "Lucreta Bor-
gia WHOSE title and libretto. by the way. were
successfully enioined by Victor Hugol. La
File du Regiment" and "Favorita." As
dramatic work. tho latter stands far In the van
OF all the composers productions. and It is
worth mention. therefore. that the whole OF the
grand fourth act. with the exception OF one
cavatina. was written in three hours. In the
few years that interviewed before his death In
lsls. Donizetti was quite prolific. though few OF
his works produced during that period. with
the exception o." Linda " and " Don Pasquale."
are familiar 10 modern audiences. Donizetti is
commonly spoken Of as q second-rate composer.
but occasionally his talent ascends into the
higher sphere OF genius. and his inferority is
patent only In comparison with the great names.
The future author Of Norma" and Son
nambula" had composed three operas before
no was 20. and up to the date OF his premature
death. Mt the age OF SO. his eagorness in his art
was such as to keep him at the piano night and
day. and unduestionably occasoned the disease
which closed his career. The two operas we
have named. together with Il Puritani" sum
up his legacy to posterity. Bellin is thought to
have possessed remarkable skill In writing
music for the voice-not that alone which offers
scope for executive trickery and establishment
but the genuine accents OF passion. pathos. and
tenderness. Even more lacking In exact and
extended musical science than Donizetti is con-
fessed to be. he could express what came within
his range with more simplicity. picturesque
ness. and intensity.
Rather more than half OF MIR. Ferris's volume
is assigned to the so-called French school OF mu-
sic. some otwhose most cons pcuous exponents.
however were born out Of France. We must re-
fer the reader. however. to his engaging pages
for survey ~ the whole theme. together with
detailed accounts OF Halevy Boiedieu. Auber
and Meyerbeer. We may add that the two most
conspicuous OF living composers next to the
great musical retormer. Richard Wagner him
self. namely, Verdi and Gounod. each receives
the honor Of a chapter replete with incidents
and anecdotes Of their professional career.