The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-01


NEw YoRK, Dec 2S.-The first produce
ton in America OF Weber's grand opera
"Euryanthe" wis an occasion OF sufficient
Importance to bring out an audience com
posed Of the dilettanh and conoscendi in
the metropolis. Thisevent, full Of interest
to all musicians and music-lovers in
America, took place on last Friday evening,
and II there was nm absence OF that excit-
ing curiosity one witnesses at n premiere
Of some contemporary composition, there
was still manifest In the cultured throng
the livclicst interest IN the evenings work.
The performance OF this noble opera was
highly croditable 10 all the artists who
took part, and afforded the listeners the
best possible opportunity 10 Judge dispas-
sionately one Of weber's masterpieces. It
N perfectly within the bounds OF truth TO
say that "Euryantho" was unknown 10 us
before Friday evening. for though the
overture and one or two arias NOTABLY,
Scligkcit diet fuss lch Kaun) have been
heard repeatedly, yet the work In Its en-
tirety, with It's incxhaustible mine Of mellif-
lucus melody and mastery orchcstration.
was new 10 our ears.
Tosay that 'Euryanthe" was revelation
20 every one Is TO echo the words OF those
who assisted ut tho first representation
critics and laymcn alike. Incur advanced
stage OF musical appreciation we are ~ q
people enabled 10 grasp, on first hearing,
much OF the subtlety and completely OF
such work. IL may sound somewhat
prcsumpuous 10 say this much, but then
four seasons OF wagnerian opera justify us
In expressing our opinions on many Of the
older forms In music. In fact, we are Just
beginning 20 find tho source from which
were derived much Of Wagner's inspiration
and not few Of his methods. The recita-
tive "Iohcngrin" and the shepherds pipe
In "Iannhauser" find almost exact parallels
In Wcber's opera, not 10 speak Of dozen
| or more glaring siiniaritics Of greater i'm.
portance. In word, there Is blended the
scnsuous charm OF Beethoven with the in.
tcllcctual charm OF the master 81 our day,
and what an exquisite union this III SUI
pcrb beyond description. Grand
arias, ! passionate love songs, stir
ring concerted numbers are all there
mingled with expressive "loit motive" aud
delicious tone pictures. True IL Il that
many OF the forms which have been ~
deliberately developed by Wagner are here
seen In somewhat primitive and unem-
bcllished state, but II Il also true that the
latter day master has failed TO preserve the
beautiful and mclod.ous along with the
grand and majestic. The disadvantage OF
miserable librcio 10 "Euryanthc" can
never be overcstimatcd, though one Il
forced 90 forget everything, save the mere
thread Of the book, while under the charm
OF these delightful melodies. Had Weber
been IA great damatist M Wagner, II is
safe 20 assume that such glorious opera
IN "Euryantho" would not have waited a
whole generation for lts hrst production In
this country. II has been urged by some
musical authorities that this opera, like
"Obcron," WIS extremely difficult 10 pres.
cnt on account Of the rarity OF singers with
grat range Of voice. A. rcfutation 10
this the present troupe nj the Metropolitan
IN by no means rcmarkable one mot com.
pairing with those a few years ago) and
yet they gave splendid rendering OF the
opera. With tlie assurance Of this success
and the importation 81 first-class tenor
next season, NC may look forward 10 hearing
"'Obcron" aud ''frcyachuix" In fine style
One Of the attractive features In the cur
rent performances of "Euryanthc" IA the
ballet In the last act, which ". strikingly
effective. The very familiar Invitation
n Ia Dausc" Is The music, and never bcior,
did Il sound NO beautiful 10 mo. IL suit
wonderfully web 10 the airy, stylish.lik,
movements OF the dancers aud forms M
ideal accompaniment 10 their picturesque
and graceful movements and attitudes
Apropoe OF the tcher rolc-Adolais- wa
written by Weber for Braham, who wa
the greatest tenor Of his time. lie was M
EngIishman. and his range was nothing
short 81 marvellous. Bmham had higl
opinion OF James Ernest Pcrring's abilities
. mud Ne an evidenre OF II nut his two son