Year: 1876

it would seem; she has caused disappoint-
ment by her peaceful attitude. But who can
tell what she will do next, or under the
sting of what secret. provocation she may
presently-as soon as our feet is concentrat-
ed at Port Royal, say-be goaded into some
rash act which will take the power out of the
hands of Congress and put it into the hands
of General Grant?


Italian Opera for America-The Titiens


Season.


1t has always been the position of the
HERALD that America would support italian
opera in the handsomest manner if it was
only given with the completeness which
characterizes performance by Her Majesty's
company. at Covent Garden or at the Grand
Opera House in Paris. The failures of
managers who professed to give us
such a representation, but broke the
promise to the hope, have only pointed
this belief, for when the houses fell off after
a few nights it meant that the public was
finding out that the article was plated and
not solid gold. Managers wishing to explain
this circumstance to their own vindication
have recently put forth the assertion that
New York will not support long opera season
at high prices. Hence they say the only
way to fortune in that direction is to
treat the public like an overfed spaniel
that must be kept hungry for a month before
he will eat broken meats and table-droppings
with a relish. In other words, they would
starve the musical public into welcoming
whatever fotsam and jetsam of opera in
Europe their slender credit could draw
hither or that fortune might cast on
our shores. This view is not held
by Mr. Mapleson, one of the few great
European managers, an interview with whom
is published elsewhere He treats the ques-
tion of opera in America from purely bust
ness standpoint, and concludes that as the
Americans who direct public opinion on
matters operatic know by this time what
good opera is, they will no more patronize
bric-d-brac opera at honest opera prices than
they would pay for building lot on the Bow
cry what they would for realty on Broadway.
This is the sense, although not the form, of
his opinion. Holding these views we regret
that he finds it impossible to contribute to
our Centennial with an operatic season such
as he sketches, a season to which, as he says,
81 should be willing to subscribe my name.
He does not. however. leave us al
together without hope; but it is,
unfortunately, that hope deferred which
maketh the heart sick. His good
opinion of many things connected with
our American theatres is pleasing to learn,
and the high estimate he places on the
American students in the European con-
servatories gives good ground for the hope
that we may yet be able to see perfect Ameri-
can lyrical artists on q perfect American
stage. 'In ten years." says Mr.. Mapleson,
this may be so; the manager is not affected
by illusory enthusiasms.


This evening Mile. Titiens opens in
Norma" at the Academy of Music, and
will be only with us for two weeks en-
gagement of eight performances. Thereafter
the great prima donna leaves us; so we must
be contented to hear her in opera under the
only conditions given u.s. Her impersona-
tons are historic, and would we'll repay
visit to the Academy, even if the
Support" were all mutes. We shall,
however, up to the last moment, hope that
the support may be respectable. 1t would
be folly to expect perfection, but we have no
doubt that Mr.. Mapleson's presence here
will have q good effect in putting spurs to
the management and extracting the best
possible work from the material at hand.
This week will give us Brignoh once more,
and he knows how to sing, if he is still
blessed with his olden tones.