Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-10-30
InsuguraliBg the season Of
Italian Opera In New York.

INV IOkkt OctODer u, 1888.
The opening Of the Metropolitan
Operahouse Monday night last was Of
itself sufficiently important to attract a
vast audience. In addition to the signiR-
canoe Of the occasion, the reappearance in
opera Of Nine. Nilsson, Of Campanini
and Del Puente conspired to make the
first night a memorable one in the annals
of Italian opera in New York. The
public had been on the tip-toe of eHpecta-
ton since the arrival in this country of
the various artists, and therefore it is not
surprising that Mr.. Abbey's receipts were
over $4,000. Long before o'clock car
riages began setting down their occupants
at the three "porte-cocheres, and BY Sl5
the house was comfortably filled with the
most brilliant audience that has ever as.
sembled in New York, The four tiers of
boxes were occupied by the aristocracy or
rather, lies grandes riches" Dazzling,
gorgeous, magniheent-such terms prove
inadequate to the demands Of the descrip-
ZIONIST Jewels and flowers were never
seen in such profusion. Each tier was
semi-cirele Of brilliants, from which arose
the sweet perfume Of rare bouquets. The
audience which filled the parauette, bal
cony and family circle were, without ex-
ception, in evening dress The picture
was thus complete. Let me mention, on
PEASANT, that front row family circles sold
as high as nine dollars each. Precisely at
800 Vianesi raised his baton. and the
familiar music Of Faust greeted the ears
of 1858 persons, The cast is given here:
Faust Campanini
valentino, "signor Del Puenti
Signor NoVAra
marta '.'.''..'..'..",..,..".Mme Lablaehe
gleOel me bcalehi
margherit IA .,......-.~....M Nine Christine Nilsson
The opera, presented as it was, with an
almost perfect cast effective scenery and
costumes, large chorus and ballet, was a
success, though nothing more than that.
During tine entire evening the good ma
tured. generous audience they deserve
these compliments, for they waited till
lilo am. for the final fall Of the curtain)
were only once aroused 10 anything like
enthusiastic applause, and that was by the
masterly rendition Of the trio in the last
act, The artists one and all betrayed a
certain timidity In singing, which was
doubtless owing TO their unacquaintance
with the immense and terrorizlng audi
forum, the acoustics Of which proved TO
he not the best II must be understood
that zpch artists as Nilsson, Scalchi and
Campanini do nothing indiferently, and
that the rendering OF Faust Monday
evening was finished, though somewhat
subdued, performance. For example.
''Salve Demora" won for CampaniRi but
slight applause. Nine. Scalchi's singing
Of "PRrlatelle d'Amor1 was thoroughly
enjoyed, and her remarkably fine voice
seems 10 have gained, II such Is possible,
great strength, particularly in the upper
notes. Dol Puente's elegant appearance
and noble bearing we're well suited to
Valentino which part he acted and sung
hultlessly, The Mephistopheles Of No
yara and the Marta Of the younger La
blache were below the standard of the
other members Of the cast, the former re-
ceiying but slight recognition for the pop
qlar solo "Dio dell'orn The Margherita
Of Nine. Nilsson Is too we'll known 10
need further commentator. Hers IA I'M
doubtedly the most beautiful conception
Of that difficult role During the even
ing all the artists received copious floral
offerings, aud after singing the "Jewel
Song, Nine Nilsson was the recipient of
very handsome chaplet Of gold leaves,
With very good taste she placed these in
the jewel box, and kneoling before II sang
an encore The last straggler left tho
house at 1880 am, and Mr. Abboy's sea-
son promises 10 be successful.
W. V. *.