The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1880-11-25
At the Opera.
York.

Despite the drizzly, disagreeable weather
and the muddy streets, the opera house con
tanned very fair-sized audience, and a par
ticularly appreciative and critical one. W.
were prepared to hear good rendition of {
favorite opera, but we are free to confess tha
we heard an infinitely better ethan we hac
anticipated. Large troupes, accustomed tc
large and enthusiastic audiences and all re-
quiste stage parapheanalia, are not over.
spirited workers with all these electrifying es
sentials lacking. In tie opening there was
something of tameness which evidently i'm.
pressed all that Miss Zelna as Leonorf, YVES
laboring under some disadvantage, and
which was indeed the fact, as the young
lady was quite unwell and not at all herself
either in song or dramatic effect. Yet she
improved as the play progressed.
In Act iv, scene /, there We a very percepti-
BILE improvement as she was in better voice
and threw moro spirit into the part. Miss
Zelna's soprano is sweet, clear and distinct,
but certainly was not up to the M TX in the
attributes of energy and volume last night,
although we fancy she possesses and mani
tests both under better conditions.
Miss Phillips, as Azuena, went direct 10
the hearts and souls of her audience at the
very first, and not only retained possession
of their good feelings, but actually won new
laurels of opinion all the way through. Her
rich contrsl'o, at once accurate in the lower
register and the higher notes, was resonant
with beauty and power in the gypsy g enc in
Act IL, scene l, and this, added
10 her vigorous and graceful acting
ell g H. &c nd
physical power, stamped her as mistress of
her role. In the I'd scene Of tho same
act, she was especially noticeable in the duet
with the tenor. In the aria Of the ID
act "Di euella pira Porsndo," and in the
prison scene, she WAS positively superb in
the faultlessness of her intonations and the
richness Of her vocal gifts. "We will return
to our mountain home was of itself sufi-
cient to place her high in critical estimate as
a naturally endowed as we'll as cultured
contrslto. We assume that the verdict Of
her friends was that it, along with the
sleeping sing" were exquisite in harmony
of action and melody of voice.
OF Signor Tagliapietras baritone, we may
say it was mastery throughout. In Act IL.
Scenes, 3Against the whole word will |
win her," he won, what he justly merited,
the heartiest applause. II was deep, full,
well rendered, rich and sonorous, and the
elite of Cincinnati did not go astsy in their
unqualified encomiumns Of his efforts, for the
al balen del suo sorriso" was worthy of
any baritone.
The tenor, Signor Bahama, has evidently
enough,.a soft, sweet voice, yet to our mind
it was somehow lacking in fullness of
effect yet in the Duets in Act III, scene 2,
and in Act III, scene 2, his Maurice was
quite as much as could be required A little
more mobility of facial expression, perhaps a
little fuller opening otthe lps,snd little less
of certain monotonous and stereotyped
gesture with the right hand, might have i'm
proved the rendition of Maurice. But the
tenor power, neatness and delicacy all re-
side in Signor Bsldsnza, and the happy
ovalling of many note last night, especially
in Act w., scene Lin hi: du tt with Leoners,
made him scores Of admirers.
The audience roundly greeted the old
time familiar favorites of the ''Anvil chorus, "
"Ah have sighed to rest me-" etc, etc.
while oil tho chorusses were truly excellent
in time, tune and spirit. The orchestra
did well its part and indeed on one or two
occasions helped out some of the stage por
ton. Altogether the opera is to be an
nounced as fine success aud, we believe
delighted every attendant. We congratulate
the troupe on the hit they have made mere
Tonight Ne are to have ala Favorlta"