The evening light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1881-1883, 1882-11-13
English versus Italian Opera.
From the London Times.

English versus Italian Opera.
From the London Times.
We now come to the second and more prac-
teal question previously asked by US: Why
should opera continue to be sung in Italian
since Italian opera, as a distinctive style OF
art, has ceased to exist! The most obvious
reason is that Italian is in a manner the inter-
national language of music, even as French is
that of dplomacy-a language with which
every singer is or should be familiar as that
most adapted to musical expression. We are
far from undertaking the advantages of such
a universal medium Of speech, or OF the
sonorous beauty of the ''lingua di ST." At the
same time these advantages are more than
overbalanced by the desire of every musical
people to have its national opera sung in
its own language. To that desire the Ital-
ian opera has fallen a victim in France and
Germany. The contest between Gluckistes
and Piccinists in France, and the victory OF
the national principal, albeit represented by
foreigner are known to every student of musi-
cal history, and the struggle between Morlac-
chi and Weber at Dresden, although less no
torious, was no less decisive in its results.
That the same struggle will have to be gone
through, and will end in the same way among
u.s. is not matter of doubt to those who be-
lieve in the musical future of Englan Mel
Their is there any fear that English opera, when
once it has taken its proper place, will fail to
attract the leading vocalists of all countries,
provided native talent should be found INSULT
Gent to supply its wants. Singers are
polyglot race, and easily adapt themselves
to circumstances. During the struggle of the
French and Italian schools in Paris Rous-
seau asserted that his own language was
entirely unsuited to musiccl utterance. "Je
f..
NJ: a nj mesure nj melodie dams la misique
ceptible; que la chant franchise n'estl gu IN
aboyement continued insupportable a tout
orielle non prevenue." The opinion thus en-
phatically expressed did not, however prevent
him from writing the libretto and the music of
one of the prettiest French operettas in exist
ence, much less did it impede or delay the es
Establishment of national school of dramatic
music in Paris. And the same may be said of
the absurd pre- udice against our own language
as musical medium, which still obtains in
certain quarters. Foreign prima donnas are
fond of shining in the simple ballads of Eng
lish and Scottish growth, suitably adorned
according to operate notions. Both Mad
anne Nilsson and Madame Albini have, we be-
leve, essayed the part of Elsa in German with
considerable success. These and other great
singers will we have little doubt, be found
equally willing to sing English opera in Eng
lish, when called upon to do so. =
Study to be quiet Subdue and keep under
all those dlsorderly passions which tend to the
disturbing of the soul To study the art of
quetness is t, take pains with ourselves, to
work upon our own hearts the principles, rules
and laws of meekness; and to furnish ourselves
I, 10
ing of the spirit in the midst Of the greatest
provocations. Others are studying to disquiet
us; the more need we have to study how to
study how to quiet ourselves, by a careful
watching against all that which is ruffling and
dscomposng. Christians should, above all,
study to be quiet, and labour to be actuated
by an even spirit, under all the unevenness of
Providence; and remember that one good
word. which Sir William Temple tells us the
then Prince of Orange (William III said he
learnt from the master of his ship, who, in a
storm, was calling to the steersman with this
word, "Steady, steady" let but the hand be
steady, and the heart quiet, and then, though
our passage be rough, we may make shift to
weather the point, and get safe to the har-
bour.
Mr. Labouchere, M. p, and editor of the
London, Truth, thinks that pure wine is cal
culated to promote temperance and sobriety:
that the Juice of all fruits has that effect. and
that the best fruit for that purpose is the
orange.
Beware!-He who courts and goes away
may live to court another day. but he who
weds and courts girls still, may get in court
against his will.
The pickpocket is the true independent in
politics. He attends the meetings of both
parties.
The Parnellites voted against the cloture.