New-York tribune., 1884-03-22

plentiful. Notwithstanding the effectiveness
which can be given the parts OF
Bertha the Count OF 0befhai and the three Anabap-
tst preachers by wel-equipped artists, the burden
of the music and action rests upon the representa-
t,ves Of fidss aud John Of Leyden Next the mechan
ical requirements are far beyond the scope of most
theatres " lie Prophetic" " is the elimination OF
Meyerbeer's passion for spectacular effects. Aided
by Scribe, whom Wagner calls his literary seere-
tary. he has strained every point IN this NOM
inally historical opera TO emulate scope
as wide as that set in the prologue of Faust
"from heaven through earth to hell" Thelocation
Of much Of the theatre of action iii Holland sug-
eests,d skating scene: stage carpenters inge-
nuitv gave him the famous sunrise which Wagner
has striyen so hard to darken; the historical fact
of the prohgaey which attended the brief reign OF
the so-called King of Zion enabled him TO trans
S,rm the false prophet into latter-day Sardanap
aims ,yho dies not in torture like the historical
personace. but in the midst of wild orgie.
MIR. Abbey's production of the opera last night
partook of the character of first performance and
also of a revival. 1t had been long time since the
onera was heard in this city. long. in fact that
If was beyond the memory OF large portion
Of the audience. Az q result the produc-
tion was looked forward to with more
than ordinary interest and soon after the
curtain rose on the first scene. the spacious audi
ence-room of the Metropolitan Opera House was
crowded notwithstanding the fact that none OF
the brilliant stars of MIR. Abbeys constellation
were announced TO appear. Except III the absence
of everything heroic in the constitution OF Signor
Stagno. there seemed to be no serions obstacle ln
the way of commendable performance OF the opera,
and. in fact, Mr.. Abbey was able 10 present IL
without drawing seriously upon the list OF men
singers. Had he thrown the whole strength OF his
company into il he would have gwen II brilliantly
Iusesd he chose 10 rely upon the ability oil Nline
Scaloii Mime yalleria Sig. Stagno and sig MIRA
bella. and his stage decorations TO carry the per
formanee TO success Most of his conn
denoe, the result showed, was well
placed In Nine Scalchi the patrons of opera
have learned to recognize singer who never causes
them a serious disappointment. A test like that of
last night ii is true could not fail 80 disclose what
ever shortcomings there in her voice and
method and il is impossible, in spite of the admra
alton which all must feel for the uniform excellence
of her singing to remain blind to the fact that the
strain which the music Of the puts upon her
Is destructive of that correctness OF pnasng which
is so essen iai to good art. But the flaws of this
nature were few and were more than 0verbalanced
by Mime. Shalchi'S exhibition of dramatic pO er
ma the climax of the opera-the scene in which,
amid the pOinp of the coronation struggling be-
tween violently conflicting emotions she
dcuies her son, the prophet, at ms
command. Then there was so admirable
q
that even the sef-cOnscious StagDO seemed to
catch spark Of inspiration from her, for he sang
the simple but moving music of the exOrclsm with
dignity power aud eOQuenee which almost re-
deemed the early parts Sf his performance
The scene which had ber2 preceded by
pompous performance of the fahSlar corona
ton march that was made to accompany some DIu-
liant pageantry aroused the audience. tthltheri2
Stess as TO all but the singing of tie arloso of the
second act "Figlio il Cie ," and the duets between
Nine Sealchi aud Mme Yalerla), 10 LOUD out
burst of enthusiasm.
Nine Valera as Bertha, placed to her credit
by far the most excellent performance. from an
artistic point of view, that she has accomplished
tbis season. There was none of the impure lntona-
ton which at time spOils otherwise good piece OF
work and her voice had unwOnted cleaness and
freshness. Hers was the triumph OF the evening
after Mime. Sealchis for though signor MlTabella
was in good voice. he was IN bad company
lis associates among the Anabaptlsts being
far from eaua, - the requirements OF Their parts
Nearly all the stage eets were new and handsome
II was Hardly TO be expected that under all the en-
cumstances the full measure o the spectacle would
be reached and the makeshift CT half dozen
skaters on rollers performins eyolutions
I'm the camp of the Anabaptists was
scarcely reconclable with the purposes
of the authors of the opera. The gave pleasure
however and Mime. CavalazZi's exhibition was ex-
tremely pretty. The opera was given with the FOL
Il, ,.tri ihIItin If nor