Year: 1872

The new regime of Italian opera in this city
is not without the usual difficulties and short
comings II has given us one transcendent
artist in Pauline Lucca, and, on the whole a
fair ensemble of artistic merit, besides some
in scenery, the choruses and the
orchestra; but we shall not be satisfied till the
opera is raised to the same standard of excel
lence in all respects that it has reached in the
first capitals of Europe. Our people are will
ing and able to pay for that This has been
shown in the liberal support they gave to opera
during the last season, when Nilsson was the
star, and the season that has just commenced
with Lucca as the great attraction. Admitting
that we have not SO many first or even second
rate artists to draw from as they have in Lon
don, Paris, Berlin or st. Petersburg; that there
is considerable difficulty in inducing such art
lists TO cross the Atlantic, and that when tempted
to come it is only by managers paying them
extravagantly for their services, still there are
valuable and attractive auxiliaries to operatic
performances that may be obtained at not SO
great cost. The orchestra, for example,
could be made better and the choruses be



improved. In some operas o strong and
effective chorus is so necessary that without it
the whole performance may become fat This
defect has been complained Of in the perform
ance of sL'Africaine," Notwithstanding the
superb singing and acting Of Pauline Lucca
Though we could hardly expect everything to
run smoothly and entirely satisfactorily the
first few nights of the season, for both the
orchestra and choruses have to become we'll
drilled, yet the public have right to require
greater efficiency, and we hope the managers
will not disappoint expectation. Then, again,
some Of the artists who take first or important
parts, except Lucca, have not been
careful enough with their voices. Making
every allowance for the effect Of our capricious
climate at this season Of the year, and upon
these strangers particularly, the public have
just reason to complain when these artists do
not avoid taking colds and sing hoarsely and
indiferently. When they do SO the weight
of the performance falls upon the prima donna,
and however ably she may do her part, it is
unfair to her and unsatisfactory to the
audience. Another drawback to first rate
opera, as well as great embarrassment to the
is the interference Of certain cliques
With the management. They have the absurd
,retension to dictate what shall or shall not
De performed and who shall or shall not per-
orm. They even engage the Bohemians, who
ire affiliated with them, to threaten and en-
oarrass the managers They forget that the
opera is for the public qualification and
cultivation in music and not merely to
,ratify their conceit and pretensions. The
season has opened well, with the exceptions
is well supported by the people
md fashionable society, and promises to be a
brilliant one. We are always disposed to give
he greatest encouragement to this delightful
md refining amusement, and in pointing out
what improvements are needed we do so both
n the interest Of the public and for the
benefit of the management. And here we
must give the managers due credit for abolish
ng the claque and other kinds Of clap-trap,
which heretofore was nuisance, as well as
for suppressing the vast and indiscriminate
lead-head system. 1t is good indication for
opera in the future when the managers are
resolved to let it stand upon its merits. In
Lucca they have all that could be desired in
prima donna. She has real genius, has no
superior, if an equal in the world, and both
her singing and acting are exquisite. Let us
have the orchestra and the choruses as good
formance by the other artists, and, if neces-
sary, a fresh supply of artists to aid those
already engaged, and the season cannot fail to
be successful and profitable.


MR. LOWE ON THE GENEVA AwARD.-The
British Chancellor Of the Exchequer was
recently complimented at Glasgow by o pre-
sentation Of the freedom Of the city. Of
course he made speech. AS this was close
upon the arbitrators' decision on the Alabama
claims he alluded to that subject, declaring be
had no doubt in the world that, as mere
question of the law Of nations, England was
not responsible for penny Of the claim, but


as friends might who had quarrelled, the two
countries agreed together to establish certain
rules in adjusting the difficulty and named
certain men who were to apply those rules,
say who had been IN the wrong and what
satisfaction should be made. He deprecated
the delivery of an adverse Judgment by Chief
Justice Cockburn, thinking that when the
matter is decided all are bound to act on it
and none are justified in stirring up and


renewing the strong argument against the


American demand. The Chancellor advises


the prompt and cheerful payment Of the


award without murmur or complaint. As he,


doubtless, speaks tho sentiment of the GOV.


ernment Of which be is a member, it is prob


able that, though the British public may read


with interest the editorials which abuse the


arbitrators for their decision and applaud the
Chief Justice for his obstinate dissent the


sooner the fine Ia paid aud the matter forgot.
| ten the better viii John Ball be pleased.