New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-03-24

thin and uncertain tie ingenuity ia
devisng strong musical effects had begun TO
show sign, OF exhaustion. Yet the composer had
not yet found his new style. He seemed to be try
ing experments-principally with materials bOr-
rOwed from Meyerbeer. His orchestra had onor-
mousy improved, and there are pages In this In
strumental of great beauty and freshness but
the general impression of the music is fragmentary
and disappointing. The drama is thoroughly
characteristic. 1t Is an awful compound OF rage,
blood and distraction and yet this is a new ana
modified version which Mr. Mapleson has given us,
with considerably less than the original
allowance of homicide Here is the mys-
terious and disguised tenor, here are the
monks, and gypsies, and sacred chants behind
the scenes. and the impacable baritone, and the
suffering LeOn0ra, and the camp, and the convent
walls by night But If the properties are familiar,
they are used i'm novel FORMS The opera Is quick
succession of varied and bustlIng scenes, none OK
them dull most OF them picturesque and romantic,
all Of them distinguished by at least one notable
piece of music. The duo of tenor and soprano
in the first act-a brilliant allegro the Gypsy song
and chorus; the beautiful baritone AIR " Son
Pereda y; the elaborate concerted number Tor So
prano chorus etc., MaGre. madre y" the duo for
soprano and bass at the convent doOr-at least tho
slow movement, for the succeeding allegro is dra-
mdtlCauF dDSuru; bDc cOnceIleu nDhlt VI Sc'Ohu
act two duos for tenor and baritone in the third
act a second air for the baritone. admirable in the
andante, and common in the allegro; great deal
Of beautiful music for the tenor in this part of the
opera second and very striking song
for the Gypsy; Rataplan chorus with
solo, strangely suggestive Of the oimlar
number in the Ilugenots." with a little
of Maycers 4" Pif. paf, pouf" added-tbess
are some of the pieces which most vigorously
appIauded last night.
By far the most important characters are the
tenor and the baritone. All the dramatic IN
terest rests in them, and they have
the best of the music one being
probably a. much favored the other. Sig.
CampauiGi made a veritable sensation more than
once during the evening, by the vigor of his
acting, the splendor of his singing, and the
perfect condition of his voice. Don AtrdTO seems
likely TO be one of bis most celebrated in-
presentations: but indeed he does everything this
Spring with magnetism that there is 10 resisting.
He grows greater from day to day. Sig Galassls
Don carlo a worthy companion piece TO the Don
AlrurO. HIS noble voice has not often been heard
to greater advantage than in the two arias We lave
just mentioned, and HIS performance, excel
lent at all points from the beginning OF
the evening 10 the close, stirred the house several
times 10 even nwonted enthusiasm. The role OF
]
was assumed on this occasion BY Mrs. Swift lady
who is not without experience on the stage
in Italy, but is little known here in her
own country. She has n fine personal
appearance and voice quite strong enough for the
Academy of Music, but that she has yet acquired
the art necessary for the position to which she as
pres we cannot honestly say. Her intonations are
faulty and her vocalizatiOn is exceedingly crude.
Miss Cary WAS ioyand handsome Gypsy, and Herr
Behreus made an imposing superior Of monastery.
We are not sure but the most remarkable person ia
the cast was Sig Del Puente. lie amazed everybody
by coming out in the character OF comic Francis
can Fuar. and we have seen no humorous acting 50
good ~ the opera since the days Of ROncoui. IL
vas worth the price of admission only to see him
! open the church door,
Mr. Vandeuhoff may be heard, in capital pro-
grammes of verse and prose, at Lyric Hall, to-
! night aud Saturday night.
The production Of 3" La Petite Muette," this
evening at tho Fifth Avenue Theatre. Is
Anticipated as the most brilliant incident Of Mr.
| Grau's French Opera season IN this city.