New-York tribune., 1886-01-21
MUSIC-THE URAMA.
LAST NIGHTS OPERAS.


Inst night was an evcntful one In the opera
houses such one IN fact. only remarkable
like the present could bring FORTH At the Academy of
Music the American Opera Company presented I" Lohen-
grin" for time In the United states in English.
Mr. William Candidus, the prime pal tenor OF the troupe.
coming forward the Knight OF the Grail At the Met
ropotan Opera House the Gsrman artists the first
German performance OF Faust" that has been Wit
messed in New York for many years Gounods opera is
SCARCELY novelty, 1t presented last night 1t
contained features entirely new 70 the vast
majority of people In the house 10 the last act were
restored the fantastic which have been sysemat
cally cut out English Italian and German VERSIONS
that have been here with the effect not only
OF beaufyng the eclacle, but also OF enabling tho
LAYERS OF the opera Whose 10 legion) 70 hear
some dramatic music which they have been deprived
exquisite ballet music with @hich they 1911
In years whom Mr.. Thomas was In the haoit OF
performing in his orchestra concerts Faust WAS
given In acts and he representation consumed
more time perhaps, than operate representation
given IN this city, IL ran into tho small hours oI
the morning. circumstance which suhcienty ehpisns
the absence OF discussion Of Its features and merits In
this Of The TRIBUNE.
.Lobeugria was presented with an opulenoe In
stage adornnent and costumes which would have
created sensation had public been accustomed
to spectaces by tho representations at the
upper house. Nevertheless In Its picturesque features
the deserves to be described as remark
best-loyed opera has had here. Scenery dresses
and tableaus, however. do not make an opera,
and in work like Lohedgrin they may
even cooperate with good singing and spehdid insru
mental without meeting all the requirements sat
By the author. Lohengrin resresenation l. TO W
real life blood in it there must be cooperation OF all
its elements, union a common plane OF intelligent
purpose OF the musical hstrionc and scenic factor. IL
is que stionabe whether the people of America will soon
again hear Wagnes music sung as exquisiteiy as was
sung when Lohengrin fret given here In Italian,
yet as drama whicbithe poetical element Is height
ened by the music the German "Lohengrn OF last
year and this Metropolitan Opera House marked
great improvement the early italian representa-
ton. discuss this question as deserves re-
auires more time than Is al our command; for the
present it must to mako room for few gen.
era observations the striking features Of the repre-
sentation.
The audience wa, numerous excellent in character,
and brilliant in appearance. large proportion OF 1t
came with strong determination to admire all that
was admirable and to fld the quality whenever and
wherever it possible. This was plain from -
prompness with which bit OF correct and
singing part of principals and chorus was APP
plauled. At times might have thought that tho
listeners enjoying their first taste OF grand opera
But II the extrayayancc was little amusing
amabc extravaganza, one calculated to build up ann NOT
tear and hence not merely pardo2aDle Dit on tue
whole commentabe; The representation was IKE us
Issta9ss Witch were excellent wero the ensemble
features We do not playing Of the orchesrs
the singing OF the chorus alone bat the spirit OF the
performance as a whole. At tunes aBateurshness
marked work of the individual artists which DIS
turbed the dignity which mnst surround LoheDgrin
ift is he enjoyable dramt but on the whole the
opera was presented with Intelligence and reverence
Mr. Thomas's reading showed nDe comprehension OF
tho poetca of the book aud and his absO
lutte command the collective forces enabled hm AZ
times develop climatic ELECTS OF thrilling power Tne
short choruses OF the first act were sung sadly enough
the male chorIsters making use TO the full or the
traditional prerogatlYe To sing bClOW the pltcD
These shorcOmia than atoned for however
by the really magnificent manner In which the Climax
the developed ami the concluding chorus
SUNG In the second act. barring momrntary uDstead
ness the finely giving out soDorous body
of OF fresh aud musical quality IL would De unfair
that are et All should be credited with painstaking
h yh purposes work, and in the OF Mr.. whitney
praise can he given without qualification. As to Mr.
CaDddus and ,dame Hastreter the rese:yat0d which
both achieved gratifying results Miss Juchs Elsa
showed careful study OF the character In s essential
attributed she stroye consistently than her col
leagues to persomfy the maiden delineaiod IN
II she did not reach the ideal which
t was plain was before her fancy 1t for want Of
mature hstronc power and the weakness In her voice
a. and on the stah which shows itself In all
her singing That she deeply felt the work In which shs
was engaged evidenced In striking manner by the
impassioued in which she sang the prayer in-
ger sent to her defence This scene she filled With hns
power and its influence c., ctrfyibS For the par
OF The Herald Mr. . Mahony Is Utterly and amentaOl
incompetent. The cast was as follows:
Horny l.. King Of Germany. Myron w whitney
Lobelc Nilhal Ian'u W
lisa of Bribant.- tinma Juch
Fredenck Teranuud. .AtonzO =. stoddard
The Kings Herald. r j. o'Mlhoay
ortrad. Helene Hastreitor