The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-11

ACADEMY OF MUSlC-''MARTA.
Lionello .........Signor Campanini
Plumketto.. Herr Behrens
Iristaano. '''.-'- isosa;
Mile A. L Gary
Marta. Mile. Alwina Valera
large audience was present 1t the Academy Last
evening to listen to Marta to pass Judgment on
Herr Behrens. Mr. Maplesons latest public addition
to his company. and to hear Mile. valers In a new
role. If the manager has suffered from any
nervousness pending the popular verdict
on his new corners there was double
for congratulaton in last evenings perform
ance-frst. because the list is almost finished with
the appearance of Herr Behrens and again. because
the gentleman q creditable IL not an overwhelms
ing success.
The opera. as sung last night. was q very pleasing
though not rendering Of Flotow's popular
work. In isolated parts it admirably rem
dered hardly to admit Of question 40 to
its positive excellence. while in others 1t
unfinished and unsatisfactory. Nearly all
the solos were well done. but the concerted music
did not go smoothly. instance of the former be-
ing Campaninis "Mappari." and an instance
of the latter the 'SpinninR Wheel" quartet.
The first could hardly have been better, while the
second was very uneven. The whole performance
had an air of hurried preparation. good as IL was
The material seemed hardly have been efectually
utilized and the quartet suggested that the re-
hearsals had been insulcent and that with further
work together much better results could be obtained
Mile. Valera looked charming as Marta. and
sang and acted the part In very pleasing manner
but she lacked the vocal crspness and sparkle
essary to mako the part an emphatic success. In
the more quiet phrases she at her best; in the
quick movements she lacked brilliancy, and nearly
all the high notes with which the rapid passages
abound and which should ring out crisp and clear
only lightly touched. and q consequence
there effect of weakness in those parts which
gave, the impression That that she was un-
tire score. She was eminently pleasing ana
always excellent. but she stopped just short of
Miss Cary was very good indeed and her Nancy
fresh and enjoyable as As she has be-
fore been heard here in this part detailed mention
of her good points on the hardly neces-
sary now. Her medium notes were q trihe thin last
night. but her lower register seemed richer and
praise and little to cavi at in all that she did and
sang.
word is hardly appropriate one but 1t is hard
find an adjective which In quite appropriate-fully
shs quality Of his voice He na. been heard
eddy In diversity OF parts. and yet in all and
and 81 times ,,, he T. the S evenly good
often, there Is charm and grace and sweetness
IN his voice that give renewed freshness to music
are familiar household Words" No better
proof Of this can be had than ia evidenced by the
parts Of the house when he sings '0''' ''0m AL
Herr Behrens. who made his metropolitan bow last
evening. is artist who fills place which hereto
fore this season has been vacant in Mr.. Mapleson's
company. He is not phenomenally good basso.
except by comparison with his predecessor. but
to q company sore need of good bass singer.
His presence is pleasant and he is capta actor
night. His voice is Of ample range and powerful,
except the extreme lower notes. In using
the latter he miscaculats: their carrying power and
entirely by reason of their limited strength. but
through failing to properly emit them. The
coarse. and while it never ofends it does
not please by its quality alone. The pleasant
aS s rs
ness OF his and the excellence of his acting.
In concerted music he does not RESTRAIN his
Is apt to sing little boisterously through passages
which should be nicely shaded in order to make all
the voices equally prominent. On the other hand.
he il sometimes o trihe .nonotonous or heavy in
passages which should have dash and spirit and this
lack of nice distinction in his music is the basis of
his main faults. His voice is good naturally but he
fails to 1t with full effect and with good judg
ment
The duo in act first. sung by Miss Cary and Mile.
Valera. was nicely rendered. though 1t has gone
better many occasions. AL the music of the first
part of the act needed little shading and dra-
natically and unsteady were lacking in fine effects.
Mile. vallerias nigh notes and Miss Cary's medium
notes weak III the music, and there in
deinable something. perhaps resulting from in
sufficient rehearsals. that made everything
fall short just q shade Of being absolutely
good. The fair scene was prettily set. well acted
and well sung. Campanini's "Solo profugo" was
most charming and the gem of the act. His duo
with Behrens went admirably; their voices
harmonizing perfectly. The quartet good
but was narred by Behrens failing to subdue his
ample power. His acting was feature TO be
WONDERED in connection with the evening. and to
the spirit and dash he exhibited in his acting
due the general dramatic merits OF that part OF the
opera.
The spinning wheel quartet poorly done,
though the scene was charmingly acted. The
"Last Rose of Summer" received its customary
encore when it sung by Mile. Valleria.
and the quartet "Mezza Notte' was equally ap.
p.auded. Campannis "Dorni pur' was most de-
lciously melodious and the concluding passages of
the quartet, "Buon dormir" complete in
every way. "The Porters Song" failure
simply because from nervousness or some other
cause known to himself, Herr Behrens failed
to invest it with the usual vim. and
to those who remember janet and other
favoritcs in the song 1t seemed tame, dull and
monotonous. Though it was failure. It was not SO
from the house, and those who raised the cry of
"Bastai Basta!" in the upper part Of the house
audience. and fortunately OF rare occurrence in
places OF amusement. "Mappari'' was the great and
perfect success Of the evening. and was sung
in n manner that we'll deserved the enthu-
siasm with which 1t was received. Miss
Carys aria. 'Esser mesto IL mio.'
very charming bit Of melody. charmingly sung.
and though well received did not win the approba-
ton IL should have received from such house. The
being really superbly executed.
The first duo in act fourth was not remarkable for
its excellence. but the duo between Behrens and
Miss Cary was really good. though IL
q little heavy in the opening phrases. The
finale spirited and was of the best pieces Of
work of the evening, and on the fall OF the curtain
all tho artists called forth to receive tho
gratulations OF the general audience.
"rHE PICTURE" AT THE FIFTH AVENUE
THEATRE.
Mauritz his Brother. Master Harry Woodruff
Ludwig, Mr.. Philip Beck
Franz, Fellow Students 10 Rudolph Mr.. II. Anderson
Carl, Mr.. Robertson
Heltske. Rudoiph's rival. L. - outram
Js',er ;......Mr fardy