New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-10-22
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.
italian OPERA-NIGNON.


Mr. 1Iapeson's policy this year seems to be one OF
surprises Tie amazed the public on Monday night
by the badness with which " Lohengrn" was given,
and he astOnished il again last evening by the un-
expected excellence of he per 0rnance Of "Alignon'
The audienc, 1t is true, knew but little of what
il was to get for the cast contained the names OF
three singers who were entire strangers and OF
whose quality hardly anything had been heard.
but nobody expected that all of them would he
acceptable, or that one, Nile. Virginia Ferni.
wond prove an artist Of unusual talent
and fine accomplishments. The surprise 0t the
public was complete, and its delight was in proper
ton. Nile Femi, who was only coldly received at
first. aroused great deal of enthusiasm before the
evening was over and the careful work OF the sing
ers associated with her made the performance by
far the most satisfactory Of the season.
The role of Migaon is not good one by which to
measure the powers of singer Composed origi-
nally as an opera comique, with spoken dialogue,
Ambrose Thomass work las neither tho.
character nor the dimensions of grand
opera. 1t is no moro possible 10 turn it
into one by the addition Of accompanied re-
cltat,ves than il is to make a giant of small man
by putting him upon stills This point is precisely
that which is missed by most singers, who err
bv over-elaboratOn, and by attempting TO
give sonorous and grandlose character 70
music winch is graceful ana tuneful,
but has nothing large or dramatic about
it, Mile. Fern il of the few, we might
almost say one of the two singcrs-Lucca being the
othcr-who have appeared in this part in America,
and who have seemed to realize that NigaOn is noe
a tragic role even in its Italian dress. The great
artistic merit Of her inpersonation last night was
its reserve and simplicity. which extend
ed to her vocal we'll as her dramatic work. Her
lxul.. 11trf
from mannersm or extravaganza. Her voice ap-
pears to be low soprano, of a pleasant quality.
lis beauty is qualified by persistent vi
brato but that is one Of the charactors-
ties of her school, the French fer sing
ing displayed refined sentiment pure taste and
abundant facility The mon conOsci" was sung
with great tenderness and pathos and with no little
breadth, and in the looking-glass scene she intro-
duced difficult cadenza which proved her al ac-
compshed vocalist. Her performance was
admirable as much for what she lett
undone as for what sne did, hut she gave evidence
of the poss ssion OF powers which promise much for
her work IN more important roles.
The other debutants were Mile, Emma Jach, as
FiIipq. and Mile Leila Laur, Federico. Nile.
Juch is n young American singer who
made her debut with some sue
cess in London last spring, aud was entrusted
UOrczy's i'll starred opera, IL Rnnegato" She mas
high. pure soprano voice Of tie colorat variety,
and of fresh pleasant quality She is hardly iin-
jshed artist as yet, but she is unique tionaby
singer of unusual promise Ter voice Will, no
doubt, develop. She seems to have been well
tauaht. and she sings forid music with facility.
thouch without the apl NIB which only experience
can give. Mile. Lauri created an excellent I'M
preston and was called upon to repeat her only air.
Her voice is sympathetic. stronger in the upper
than in the lower register. Indeed, 1t seems doubt
fl IL either of Mr. Maplcsons contraltos this year
has y genuine coutraltO voice. Mile. Laufps, how
ever. does well enough for such part as she had
IIjibcIm Neister is not one of Campo
minis best characters. It affords no roOn
Tor the display of that dramatic lntenl-
ty in which he eXcels. aud it calls for
simplicity and sell restraint which ne Is either uh-
able or unwilling to bring To IL. There Is, more
over. a light comedy side TO the character, which
"a Ioul used to airing out delightfully."-. but
whose significance Campaujni entirely misses.
Ills perrurmance would have been capital II Mig
non were a tragic opera. since II Is nothing or
fine sort his work was Oyer-Wrousht and inapPrO-
puate Signor Del Puente was unObjectionable -
IotItio bat not much more. The chorus was de-
iJedy better than either of the preceding even
ucs hut there was still plenty Of room for Improve