New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-12-04
MUSIU AND THE DRAMA.
THE OPERA-AIDA.

Verdps Aida" which was gwen at the Academy
Of Music last evening" seems to be as popular rs
ever for it drew of the largest audiences Oh tue
season. There are indeed few operas In the moaerh
Italian repertory that are so well hked. IL IL less
hackneyed than most Of Verdrs earlier WORKS
and the operas of Billini and Donzetti; thanks
partly to its containing no show part
such as these have which enables an impress
saro 30 trust to the efforts of good singer and
slight che rest of the cast and thanks, TOO 10 there
being In it so few tunes" adapted TO the purposes
of the organ-grinder and OF the young person adj
dicted to operate pot-pourrs. Its melodies are NOT
to the taste of these last and managers know tna'
1t requires for its effective rendering good ensem-
bic and extensive stage accessories. Moreover I'D
"Aida," Verdi has avoided the use OF Tire con-
ventIonal Italian scena and aria, so far rs MS
nature and his training permitted him, and
his work shows q striving alter the effects OF the
modern German school, which is not always sue
cessfu but which results IN something far more
acceptable to the present taste than bis earlier
works. aida" is. besides this, essentially spec
tacular, and this has come perhaps unfortunately,
to be an important element in the presen alton Of
operas. Half the success of Mefstofele" with
the public arises from It's brilliant stage setting and
the same is true though in a less degree Of "Lohen-
GRIM and, indeed of all WagLer's operas,
for ID is one OF the canons OF
his ert that ID is of scarcely less
Importance to please the in the lyric drama than
tho ear and that scenic effects, if not of equal I'M
portance with the music and the dramatic action,
are of scarcely less moment.
Last nights performance was excellent in most
respects. Mile. Valera, the Aidd, was charming.
Her light soprano hardly strong enough for some
of the dramatic portions of the opera, such az
the scene with Rdddmes in the third act, where
Campanini's powerful voice and the orchestra Occa-
sionally overwhelmed her. But she sings
with admirable taste and her mpersOnatiOn is
graceful and 8, sympathetic. She is continually de-
yeloping unexpected dramatic power, and her I'M
provement in this respect, which has been very
marked during the last year, promises TO make her
nearer what she was at first-a thoroughly useful
artist One of the peasantest characteristics OF her
singing Is the perfect refinement of everything that
she does and its entire freedom from anything like
| commOnness vulgarity. The music of AnRertS,
really mezzo-soprauo part. is too high for Miss
| Cary's voice, and though she sings it bril-
| liantly the continual strain is not pleasant.
Campanini IS always good as Radqmes, for the part
suits INN in every way. Last lignt The effect Of the
| Celeste AIDA was spoiled by the arrival OF a
| quantity of late Corners who, however. managed to
| ruln a good deal more OF the hrSt act. GalaSsl
AmOndsro differs largely from the idea OF the part
held by MaureI who created t here. Ii IS less Wild
and savage, but there fine quality OF manlness
and dignity in Galasss acting which Is, ~ II seems
| TO u.s. more IN harmony with the charac-
| ter of the captive Ethiopian King, who ought
scarcely behave like a chained Wild cat when led
mo the presence OF his conqueror Gala5si sang ne
music magntcently, and his delivery OF the scene
with Aida IN the third act, from the "Su. dunque
sorgete," TO the c.imaX, Den Faraoni tn sci IN
schIava" We. vigorous piece OF passionate dra-
matte defamation. Inc smaller parts of Rants
aud II Re w effectively done by SIgnOr N0yafd
| and Month 7 he chorus was well drilled and the
orchestra excellent though sometimes little noisy.
The stage setting brilliant and the dresses new
| and handsome.
Sine spectacular operas prOvlngsO attractive,
| yny could not Mr.. MapesOn give rs M1s5eneE )
:" II Re di Lahore''i We have had " Aida" and
" Meiis oele," and there 10 talk of " Loheugrin."
MasscnePs work gives opportunity for even gleateT
scenic display ibaD any of these, there are good
parts ior ali Of his principal singers and the music
| neOngS to a new and interesting school with which
| this public Is quue uufamIar IL could hardly tal
| of being successful