New-York tribune., 1888-03-27
MUSIO-THE DRAMA.
THE BOSTON ORCHESTRA.

Mr. Gerlcke and his excellent musicians celebrated
fine triumph most trying circumstances at steih-
way Hall last night and brought the series of concerts
announced by the Boston symphony Orchestra to a
close In a manner which reflected the highest credft
on the enterprise. The weather was only trhe
more favorable to the musicians than that which pre-
vented the concert from taking place two weeks ago.
vet the intonstion of the band all but fautess
and the splendid spirit of the conductor and his play
ers mado up for the loss In brllliancy OF tone when
was unavoidable under the existing atmospheric con-
ditions. 1t was evidence, too, OF the favor with
which the orchestra is regarded here that numerous
audience braved tho weather to hear the music the
greater part of which had figured the programmes
of earlier concerts given by local organizations this
season. and only listened to 1t with rapt Interest
but gave the tribute Of sincere and hearty applause
Tho programme comprised Brahms's third sym
phony-.a beautiful and consistently elevated com
postion-the popular Symphonic Prologue to
"othelo,' by Arnold Krug, the prelude and finale
from 4" Tristan und Isolde" scene from Glucks
Armide,' sung by Madame Kalisch-Lehmann, and
Taminos air, Dies Bdniss ist bezaubernd Schven,"
from Moznrt's "Zanberhoete,' sung by Herr kalisch
Madame Kallsch- Lehman heard also in the finale
from Tristan Both singers were In good voice and
sang with the enthusiasm which the public have
learned to expect from them Herr Kalisch's sue
cess In particular, of the most fattering descrp
ton. There can be no question that for the Amerf
qulsltion that every lover Of beautiful singing would
be delighted to hear Of any looking his
Mr. Gerickes readings Of the orchestral numbers
were lucid Symmetrical and much m more @ mpsSs0dedd
admirably TO his wishes.
"A POSSIBLE CAsE9 WE'LL RECEIVED.
Sydney Rosenfeld the author of the three-act CON-
edy, "a Possible Case," which produced last night
at the Amphion Academy. Brooklyn. has made novel
and daring experiment He has Intentionally DIS
pensed with probability that semblance of that
which it is almost invariably the aim of dramatic
writers to preserve, and has dealt only with possibilities
remote to seem almost mDosslbiltes. In his
search slter the most extraordinary complications
which the conflicting marriage laws of the different
States could allow to exist he has succeeded In putting
upon the Ntage a who has two loyal wives. and
wife who has three husbands though the legality Of
their status Is open to question In order to accom-
psh these results he has been forced to deprive some
of his characters Of nearly all sembance to ordinary
human nature, and to make woman act in manner
that robs her of sympathy In her subsequent trials.
AS the authors principal aim seems to have been
to devise funny situations It must be conceded that
he has accomplished It, Many Of the Incidents
evoked the hearty laughter Of large and kndly-dls
posed audience. That they also laughed at serious
situations not their fault pathos is so mixed up
with comedy to be often lndstnguishable. In
many respects the play Is decidedly clever. tho
strucon being, though necessarily artificial often
genIous. and there is liberal sDrinkIng OF bright
an experiment and as 1t is that defes all stand
ards of criticism. the only verdict Of value upon
IL viii be that of the public Judging from the recep
ton last night that verdict will be favorable. The
acting generally good, especially that of M. A.
Kennedy, W. II. Thompson and Robert Hllllard. Tho
setting extremely beautiful tropical exterior In
the first act and drawing room In the second being
rch tasteful and appropriate. Tho dressing of tho
ladies was also handsome and In good taste.
NATIONAL OPERA COMPANY IN BR0OKLYN.
The National Opera Company, reorganized on the
cooperative basis, began last night series of three
performances at the Brooklyn Academy of Music
An audience limited In numbers present. Tho
company had intended 10 present Tannhauser,' but
owing to the sudden illness Of NJ Sylvia, Faust' had
to be substituted. The performance was uneven,
sometimes crude, though not without Individual
merits. Miss Amanda Fabris was "Marguer!te,'
Mr. McGuckin Faust.' and Mr. Ludwig was
q Mephstopheles" Mr.. Ludwigs fend the strong
central figure of the performance. He presented a
series of pictures Of the iend, willing, mocking malig
nant and @lhcd that made the representation intel
lectual when he was on the stage. Without him the
performance degenerated Into pretty pictures and tab
lsus, sometimes, though not generally accompanied
with passable music. It Is a great pity that M
Ludwig Is only an ordinary singer.
Mr.. McGuckin's conception OF Faust, reJuvenatah,
Is hardly than that of welldrcssed, handsome
young who knows that he Is good LOOKING. HIS
singing Is throatly,o and he makes matters worse
by continually forcing his voice above the kcy Miss
Fabris at first almost nothing moro than haNen-
haired musical doll But she improved as the per-
formance and In the garden scene she acted
naturally and sang with pleasing sweetness, though
she could not always disguise the strident quality Of
her voice. Outside OF Mr.. Ludwigs acting the re-
ieemng feature Of the representation was tho playing
Of the orchestra