New-York tribune., 1886-01-09
MUSIO
THE AMERICAN OPERA.

The second opera of the new Academy hse
va. C,,ucs Orpheus" which was given most succeses
fully last night before an audience splendid In nun
pers and character. Musically the performance
Of "Orpheus" was an extremely interesting
event The opera was given hero . few times IN 1858
and the bulk OF the music has been heard In concerts
since but the scope Of last nghgs performance MADE
it more than what commonly "revival"I to all Inc
tents and purposes It was fret produo
ton Of one Of the "epoch-making" WORKS y
musical history. The score Of the opera has passeo
through many vicssitudes since 1t frat given -
tvo.act Italian opera Vienna in l762. Guck himseh
revised IT, adding new pieces and extending the num-
Der OF Its acts to three, when he brougnv
it out in Paris. He also rewrote tho princiPsa
part changing 1t from contrano roie W
one for high tenor and nerpoated as the end OF the
first act air from an opera, entitled "Iahcreo' "n~
tan by a composer named Bertoni. When the work was
prepared for performance Engiish in London Henry
f. Choriey, tho o,ietme musical critic OF me AMen~
, made paraphrass OF the French text utssI Eans
ation Of the original Itaanl and Charles Haie edtea
the music In 1852 when the opera waseyived IN fas
with Madame Viardot- Garcia as Orpheus, Beroz was
intrusted with revision OF the score and though
he restored the contralto mnsc Of the title role.
he retained the added pieoes including the air by bes
toni Mr. Thomass music differed little from all tnese'
It omitted the latter air. for which purst critics VIII
give thanks and replaced two numbers, cnorus ana
trio which were the English edition. Otherwise
NJ Cborev. paraphrase was used. Concerning the de-
tails OF tho score we not time to speak nor can wo
now discuss the beauties and character OF tho work.
which arc exceedingly Inviting TO musiclovers and
students.
The representation of last night presented the
two most attractive women singers In the
American Opera Company. Mme Hastreiter
(Oypheus) and Miss Juch (Eurydtce) Their solos
throughout the evening the most satisfactory IN
diyua accomplishments which have gone on the BRIEF
record OF the now establishment Madame Hastreitef
made O most unmistakable hit and with tho
finest OF Orpheuss airs (he familiar and loved
Che faro y she stirred up profound enthusiasm Her
voice s large and resonant. not entirely even In power
r ouality but OF good tmbre and her OF using
IL and her defamation beoken sound musical Instincts
Her stage presence ne her poses and gestures varied
and graceful
She unquestonably fixed herself in public admiration
and her future appearances will be awaited with
interest Miss Juch sang charmngly and looked per-
feet picture from ancient Hellas Miss Dithey (Loce)
was less satisfactory, though she did not mar
the music. Chorus and orchestra were admirable.
but was spectacle that the representation called Que
the loudest plaudits There continual crescendo
beautiful scenic effects the ballet grew more ana more
as the evening wore on, untl supreme cl-
reached in the final ballet, which sent tne pe0-
pie I'm state OF peasurable excitement anu VOW
Ing the great spectacular 6alets Tor wncn SDos
has become famous had tnally been ecipsed The pic
lures were nll composed with fine sense or harmony
In color and beauty of form. and every feature
Of this part OF the entertainment reflected the highess
enterprise of Mr. Locke and the knowledge
and skill of the whom he has placed in charge OF
the stoge The curtain fell for the last time nj ll:l5
clock, after which only hurried and fragmentary
review Is possible. II is TO be hoped that " Orpheus
viii be repeated soon and often It's success is scarcely