The New York herald., 1879-01-07
ADJUSTMENTS.
ITALIAN orEnA-"A1DA" AT BoorH's THEATRE.

Booths Theatre last evening with verdi's Aida to
y good house. The occasion served to introduce
successfully robust BARITONE Signor Pantaconi. in
the part of Amonasro we'll presenting
old favorites As whole the performance was
praiseworthy. though the audience did not warm up
until the barbaric king appeared on the STAGE Tho
opera was not over until nearly midnight.
Giuseppe Verdi. however low the censors of
musical taste may rate him. has strong and durable
hold upon public favor. When he composed aida"
he compromised with the wagnerian school. and
what he gained in breadth of treatment he
lost in melody puro and simple. His
subject, chosen with o special object. was
better fitted to be clothed with such
musical raimcnt than any he had hitherto
dressed for the world That he emancipated bimsclf
from mere noise, by which in former efforts he
wont to interpret forcble situations, is a great
deal to be thankful for. ana il tho blare of the
trumpets ring in our after leaving tho
theatre, 1t is supported and modified by broad hnr-
monic effects Apart from tho numbers he gives the
principal characters it is curious note how failing
color for the OPERA in the invisible chorus in tho
temple. the quaint dance music and some peculiar
the part Of Aida at this house last year,
had improved her acting of it until it had
tainly thrown herself into the character moro
dctcrminedly than any other role requiring
dramatic intensity. but with the best intentions
she has not succeeded the measure of her expccta
tions. We have better emphasis and more gesture
in fact. too much. It would be ungallsnt to
instead of frowns, but We may say that
a habit of literally showing her teeth" when Aida
the knowledge Of q good many that the sex fre-
quently mistake Petulance FOR passion: but in
art is As Ss Ksrs rs singing
soprano ringing high above the tempest Of
sound in the weghter scenes. and in the
scenes with Amneris affording delightful
trast to the round. full tones Of Miss Carey's
contralto In the first of the first act must
take exception to Miss Keloggs manner Of delivering
which were, doubtless. intended to represent
sobs, but which only musical in proportion
however. in the scene with Amonasro and Radames.
her singing was. admirable. and well de-
5rout the applause Rs Mise sse'e c.ry and A%n.4s
appears to improve every time she repeats it. Last
night it was superb performance throughout.
full development, her upper tones showing
marked increase Of strength. while her lower
moreover. suits her stataesquo bearing and although
recognition came last night slowly she received
It in full in her arduous scene IN the fourth act It
but it falls ON strong shoulders. Mr.. Adams as
Radames gave an even performances without especial
rose to his best. the iinpassioned allegro
'si fuggiam da questa niura" being ad-
instantly discovered a hnc singer and forcible
actor. OF Sampsonan build and made up
after novel but effective fashion. with
ringetted beard and swarthy face, he looked
every inch barbarian king in his scale armor
pieces Of jingling brass however more true to
mid-African possibilities the costumes Of his prcdc
cessors here in the part may have been. His first
phrases were given with robustness OF tone and
emphasis that caught the house. and while he re-
mained on the stage he the central character
He was warmly applauded, his vigorous acting no
less than his singing deserving it. In the
lerva orribilc' to where. ninging her from him.
he cries. "Dei Faraoni tn sci la schiava. tho au-
dience followed him with breathcss interest. forget
ting for an instant to applaud in horror Of The
picture he had drawn. Mr.. Conlys Ramis
is already known fine performance. his basso pro-
furdo intoning the numbers of the priest impres.
svcly. Mr.. Gottschalk is rather overweghtcd
with the King. but by an effort he supported
part xc al na o@
we have known for so many
years. The orchestra also did fairly. scenically
Sisters. who led the ballet, were rather too nude
for this climate, however appropriate for
sny word for the grucsome god in the temple
Why is he so poorly conditioned Sitting lonely
up, there in the temple he appe1led to our pity:
and when the chorus were calling him Immense"
we found ourselves murmuring '.dyspeptic Ftha''
Lucia. with Miss Maria Litta. win be given this
evening.
OLYMPIC THEATRE-THE COUNT JoANNEs.
Tho legitimate drama is safe. The public may
tiously sample such Franco-Americsn affairs "The
Bankers Daughter almost Lifo;" 1t may study
the term Legitimate syllable at time. and there
fore drop in to "Evangeline The Babes in
the Wood" but where the treasure is there
will tho heart be also, and beyond doubt
the largest sale Of theatre tickets in
New York last night at the Olympic.
where tho historical drama of Richard ILL.," was
given. with the Count Jcsnnes in the title role.
Co. k1.sx
which should yet be historical and Intellectual that
the lobby Of the theatre was crowded half
M hour before tho performance began. and it
ovcr1owcd into the street until pious citizens who
10 not know theatre from the City Hall assumed
that tho location that of the Mayors Office and
that the throne crowding in to inquire ABOUT
rancics. The managers had made intelligent prcpa
ration for the occason the uncarpetcd floor had been
the audience should not raise dust while
the temperature OF tho building cool enough
10 give some idea OF what refrigerator could
40 when il gave up elegant leisure aud attended |
strictly to business Before tho curtain rose the |
house contained more people than IL could seat. but
such the loyal enthusiasm OF the masses that
they stood upon foot Mt time in tho family cir
clc and, in unreasoniDg ecstacy. threw handfus of
pants Of he orchestra chairs. Anticipation
Of coming delights had wrought the audience |
mp TO such an excited condition that long before |
the curtain II chccred everybody and everything
IL could think Of Then overture. tho orchestra
played ''fhe Sweet by aud By" and the audience
caught the strains prophetic of the Joys to como
within two three hours IL gave voice to the sacred
song and roarcd 1t ont with unction that would |
delighted Moody aud Sankcy. suddenly tho |
curtain went up. the predatory dialogue |
was assumed from the pantomime that every |
one Witnessed and applauded without hearing word
of IL: then, as mystcriously, but forciby q |
brickbat in street night the noble pcrsonator of |
Richard strodc upon the stage through cyclone Of
cheers and delivered his opening lines In tones which,
Il to be hoped reached his ears for no inhe
audience could hear them. While this recitation was |
In progress single floral tribute of the evening
sed upon the stage; but the Count inodcstiy de-
cncd H. perhaps because he preferred TO honors
before accepting them, but possibly because the |
blossoms and their accessories were carved from |
% single turnip and were characterized by q |
perfume which more unvarying than agree |
the lines scarcely ever reached the audience. |