The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-04
New Pieces and ReyiyalS in New York, Brook
Ign and Jersey City.
THE PHILADELPHIA THEATRES
Steele Mackaye's New Play, An
Iron Will"
ACADEMY OF MUsIC-"FAUsT. !"


If. as has been reported, sisnor Arditi embraced
Colonel Mapleson and cried "What lovely Faust!''
the occasion Of the first production OF that opera
this season at the Academy. he undoubtedly ahec-
tonately. and efectually overpowered the manager
last evening the fail of the curtain, ana pro-
nopnced the latter performance "too truly beauti-
full" 1t was. undoubtedly, notably good render
ing of the opera and with so few faults individually.
or chorally that it may be written down most
creditable to the artists. and the management ana
most enjoyable the large audience
1t would not have been surprising if on the eve Of
great election the audience had been a small one,
and in fact at raising of the curtain the house
was so nearly empty and quiet that the old
nursery poem as to
tho night before Christmas
When ali through the house
things remarkably quiet came instinctively to
mind. But before the act was half over large
audience present, and before the end tho even
ing the house very nearly filled by brilliant
company 1t was altogether the best success. both
before and behind the curtain. that the management
has this season. and it is to be hoped that the
coming events will be we'll deserving OF hearty
praise and generous attendance.
The former cast was much strengthened by the
substitution Of Del Puente for David; the casting
of Galassi for Valentino in place of Del Puente
the placing of Miss Cary Siebel and the change
the former sebe At the general cast
from being most uneven. made unusually
strong and the result made plain from
the first note of the opera to the last
Mile. Valera improved slightly her first per-
Torrance, looking at it single effort Here and
there there was marked Improvement. but again
some things were not done quite well her
debut, and the result slightly better general
average. Popularity she more successful for the
reason that she has already become general o
tavorite that there was an increased pleasure in
Miss Cary sang charmingly. but hardly seemed to
be in thorough good voice. Though the quality of the
voice seemed good there was a slight suggestion of
effort in her singing though she forcing her
powers-an Impression which was deepened by the
cutting of aria in the fourth act which she evil
IDENTIFY first intended to sing. 1t only occasion
ally, on high note that the impression effected
oil her medium and lower tones being tul rich and
Campaniri was, usual, in superb voice. and
sang as only so finished and graceful an artist
effective. and divided between them honors that
gladly given and we'll deserved
The orchestra most effective, except at
point the first act where the brass instruments
little out of time. The choruses were most
cellent in the first two acts but exceedingly bad in
the final scenes.
In act first Campaniui's opening recitative and
scena were finely treated. dramatically and vocay,
the "Io voeo placer being particularly meritori-
GUS. Del Puente's voice has hardly the necessary
breadth and depth for Mephis topheles. and in en-
tSs the tremoo wheh wa as
often apparent last season. but which he
manifest Still he is better in every way this year
than ever before, and he sang grandly, the closing
duo being given by him and Campanini with admira-
BILE spirit The early part of the second act was
marked by Galassis Song OF the Medal
a m wssh ssht,v given Snrso y
teigence and delicacy of expression that brought
him most enthusiastic encore Del Puentes ''Dio
lacked the same elements noticed before, though it
was most acceptable in every other way. The few
zines which Mile. Valera sings very sweetly
rendered, though not quite so effective the
sasion of her first appearance.
The "Parlate damor' lii act third was very good iu
deed. except the high notes. which seemed little
strained. Miss Carys fno method and grace of
cessfuly, and though she apparently desired to be
excused from repeating 1t, was obliged to do so.
The "Salve Dimora was most touchingly
sung, and the tenderness and sweetness of
every note were marvellous. "The spinning Song"
not quite so well done by Nile. vallera
before, the medium notes being slightly nasal and
the pitch not absolutely true in the opening phrases
The Jewel Song" on the other hand. great inn
provement and was almost perfect IL Mile. Valleria
will abandon the sudden dropping from the higher
to the lower note in the concluding bar she will
materially add by the use of the portamento to the
effect of the beautifully clear and full sustained
tone which precedes the final note. The "precpiate
drop is inartistic and less effective than it should
be.
The quartet in act fourth went well-very we'll
but not SO perfectly, as might justly be expected
nin Del Puente, Valera and Lablache.
The famous duo was unovon-the first
on an upper note but the fault was moro than
deemed by the of tone and taste of pbras
ing with which he sang all the rest OF the music.
The error was so slight as TO be hardly notice
able but, to absolutely thorough artist alb
hS hnSrough G @ and must De apped
Canpanni and Valera was admirable in every way.
In the fourth act Sebel's aria cut out. though
IDENTIFY expecting that Il would be given Del
Puente's serenade went very well, and the fine
concerted music which follows sung in
OF tae maedction scene was forcibe and finished.
1t Is particularly trying to the prima DONNA who
has little to do but receive her brothers curse
and give expression to her terror by gesture
Margheritas feelings seem to partake more Of the
astonshment of LATHE Red Riding Hood than the
anguish anguish , OF 81, broken hearted woman Mile
only just short of the latter. Her posing and
her gestures were graceful art-they needed
them dramatic strength and glow of life.
The finale church and prison scenes
was excellent, absolutely excellent, and was
hitting conciusion of performance that was. as a
whole. notable one. To partcularize would be
mini. Del Puente and Valera equally sharing the
credit.
said that the setting very beautiful and very
fealstic--so realistic in the altar, the priests.
the vcstments, the acoly tes the genunecting and
praying congregation, as to almost make one believe
that 1t was veritabe church. One. only one touch
ia the audience the effect would have been complete
snd the management benefited at the same time.
But the scale OF prices on the programmes in pos
session of those persons in the body OF the hou 40
recalled the fact that they were not part of the
realistic scene the stage. but auditors at Her
Najcstys opera.
ia pERrcHoLE" AT TIE FIFTH AVENUE
THEATRE.
onenbach's opera boufe revived by NJ
Maurice Grau's company last evening" with the
same cast it's previous presentations this sea
Little. therefore. need be added critically tc
what has been said upon the sterling merits of tho
troupe In this work OF the festive Jacques
whose harmonious champagne has seldom been
uncorked with more pop, hzz and sparkle
than when Paola Marie, Gregoire, Raphael and
Beaudet with Capoul. Jouard. MezIeres and
Duplsn, passed around the gladdening cup to
the crowded houses of month or so ago. Ii may
be that the endeavor to study the probabilities OF
today's election had depressing effect upon the
artists. perhaps was that SO many of the former