The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1885-11-07
PUBLIC OPINION.

The Farini opera troupe are in all
probability by this time safe at home
in their adopted land. There should,
therefore, be no breach of hospitality
involved in discussion of their
visit, particularly with regard to the
reception accorded them and the
reputation they left behind them.
This paper has been hotly assailed
by contemporary for having uttered
very moderate criticism of the first
appearance of the company, and
publishing a rather sharp letter upon
that event. This is not very sur
prising, for our free expression of
public opinion was in such marked
contrast to the eXtravagant and in
discriminate putting of the company,
indulged in by that journal, that it
became matter of self-defence with
it to discredit the remarks of this
paper and the public sentiment sug-
gesting them. The case only afforded
the public an opportunity of judging
of the difference between journal
that expresses Independent views and
public opinion without fear or favor,
and one whose only aim is to please
all and offend none, like the owner
of the ass in the fable. And, like
that worthy's case, the end is that
nobody is pleased, while the ass is
engulfed in the waters of oblivion.
An examination of the facts in the
case will convince any candid person
that the Farini opera company got
off only too easily from public criti-
cism. Signor Farini came to Homo
lulu and offered, for certain consid-
erations, to bring down from the
Coast high-class opera company.
He submitted list of artists to the
people, engaging to bring those
named to Honolulu in an organized
opera company, provided the finan-
cial terms were fulfilled. The re-
quired amount was, on the strength
of his representations, subscribed
with a readiness that was remark
able in view of the depressed state
of business. When the company
arrived, it was found to contain only
one of the artists engaged to be
brought, and it was found to be on
the whole very ordinary and poorly
adjusted concert troupe. The first
performance disgusted many, il not
most, of the subscribers to the
guarantee fund. Making the most
liberal allowance for the amount OF
good singing comprised in the enter.
tainment, the fact remained that
they had paid for a high-class opera
company and obtained troupe OF
musicians hastily picked up about
the concert halls of San Francisco
who had all their practice together
ahead of them when they landed OF
our shore. Succeeding performances
and rehearsals, with the stimulus o.
musical opinion more cultivated
infinitely, than the organizer of tn,
company counted upon, induced al
improvement that was very obviou
when the season was half over. Still
at the best, the company only pres
entcd two singers worth going on
to hear, and one instrumentalist VIII
could captivate the popular ear.
With regard to the pitiful falur
of the benefit rendered by som
person or persons unknown to til
public, to the star artist of the con
pany, two or three observations al
in point. In the first place thu
affair proved that this communt
cannot be led by the nose at tn
sweet will of any coterie that ma
assume to be "We the people {
Honolulu" A majority of the sui
scribers to the fund would hay
been the legitimate promoters of tll
event in question. The result woul
saan, to ebou that IL was only q