New-York tribune., 1891-12-19
LIES HUG UENOTS."

The announcement Of Les lIuguenots" for the thirf
night Of the Italian season at the Metropoh.
tan Opera House brought out audience
larger and more brilliant than either Of the
two that had previously gathered to hear Mr. Abbcy's
company. Not only were boxes and orchestra chairs
full, but what is significant OF the musical inter-
est attached to the performance by the public at large
the galleries and the obscurer parts Of the house were
occupied nearly to their full capacity. The further
disclosures OF the strength OF Mr.. Abboy's company
were expected with interest That they made In
different manner from what had been promised
seemed TO be matter of but slight disappointment
the audience, for the subsutotons that were made
did not fail to give obvious pleasure aud qualification
Tho announcement had been made a day or two ago
that Mme Abani prevented by illness from masing
her temperance New York. had been originally
set down. and before the audieEce had passed tho
doors of the Opera House they had seen another
notice that Nine. scalchi was likewise kept
from singing with the company last
evening. Nine. Albanis place filed by Nine.
Lillian Nordica and Mme Scachs by Nile. Jane
de Vigne, both of whom appeared at extremely shor
notice.
The performance was therefore aot one to h
judged in all respects fair showing Of the besl
that may be expected from Mr. Abbeys forces In Les
HuguenOts." 1t was. however. the whole vigorous
and spirited one, and In many points gained demonstr
tive acceptance. The quality Of Nine. Nordcss art
vocalist, we'll her Interpretation Of the par
OF Valentino Is familiar to this public; her per-
formance last evening was exceedingly creliabs
one under the circumstances. She was In excellent
voice and acted with great spirit: the audience was
prone 10 forgive two disasters OF lesser SORT
Mile. de Vigne, az Urbano, likewise deserved mucl
praise for her singing Of the pages music Her voice
is of an agreeable quality and no mean power,
her phrasng capital and her execution Of the
horfura cleanly and skilful. Tie Messrs. de Reszn
appeared Raoul and Marcello respectively and 10
the enhancement OF their esteem by the opera-Goins
public; both were in the prime of their vocal con.
diton, and their singing was Of much distinction
warmth and power ognor Magin C0letu's voice,
though still marred by much trcmo. appeared TO mach
better advantage than upon the opening night, while
his conception OF the part OF the Count de Nevers was
emnenty an appropriate one In its courtly grace NIB
Pettigani made her return 10 public that knows her
work thoroughly and that found In II last evening
much OF grace and agreeable quality. She sang the
part Of Margherita Of Valols. sgnor Vianesi's ex'
pertness and absolute familiarity with the score wers
especially notable last evening, and at several points
saved the performance from unpleasant complications
IL could not however save II from the astonishing per
fOrmance of the viola player who accompanied EdOaaN
do Reszke's solo in the first act from many other
crldties OF the orchestra. The work OF the chorus
grows less Objectionable as the season advances.