Year: 1873

having fhaue tnlb discovery, mas entereu INTO
a prodigious contract for the building of a
system of railroads in Persia and for many
other modern improvements, bearing upon
agriculture mining, manufactures and trade.
With these improvements the Persians in the
event of another famine, for example, will
have the facilities for securing immediate and
general assistance from abroad. They could
get no such extensive relief in their late ordeal
of general starvation, because their only
means Of transportation were their camels,
horses and mules; and these, from the pres
sure of the famine, had been destroyed. If
the Shah, therefore, has ventured to run the
hazards of q rebellion during his absence on
this European tour and if he has mortgaged
his kingdom to the Jews, it is because he has
been seized with the spirit of European
progress, and has found in the railway and
other Western improvements in material
things the instruments which, if rightly en-
ployed, will secure, not only the preservation,
but the prosperity Of his people.


The Approaching Season OF Italian


Opera 1T the Academy.


Alter many years on strange v1ciSstudes
and stormy fortunes, now emblazoned with all
the colors of fashion and prestige and again
foundering hopelessly in the Slough of De-
spOnd, Italian opera seems to have at last
gained q permanent footing in this city.
Two years ago it was raised from its lowly
condition by the genius OF Mile Nilsson and
made once more q magnet of attraction for all
that is refined, fashionable and intellectual
in society. She now returns to us again,
and we are promised q choice operatic
bouquet culled from the leading houses
in Europe Indeed, the engagements for the
Fall season are so numerous that it will be
problematical whether materials for first
class company will be left to console the Gar,
the Khedive or the Parisians for the Winter


With the sole exception of Adelina Patti all
that the operate world can boast Of in tale mt
and fame is included in the list of engage
ments for the New York season. In letter
from Paris, which we publish to-day, may be
found the circle of artists that will adorn the
boards of the Academy of Music in October
A hearty welcome and a reception more en-
thusiastc, if not so brilliant as that
which greeted the Persian monarch
on the shores of England, will
be accorded to the Swedish nightingale,
the memory of whose sweet voice and poetic
beauty in acting remains as fresh in the minds
OF our opera-goers as on the night she made
her debut at the Academy. Report speaks of
her having gained considerably in vocal power.
and having made several notable additions to
her well known repertoire. But naught can
add to the beauty of those matchless impersona-
tions which so often held the audience Of the


Irving place opera house spell-bound-the
AIRY Scheffer-like portrait of Gretchen; the
passionate love of the Dame aux Camelias,
with its delicacy of color; the sad history of
the Bride of Lammermoor in which insanity
becomes poetry, and the child-like devotion of
Mignon. The Strakosch Brothers could not
offer the American public more welcome
boon than bringing back to them once more
the fairest flower in the operatic garden,
Christine Nilsson. The company engaged to
support this favorite artist presents many
new names and two who won popularity here
before. Miles, Torriani and Maresi will sing
all the soprano roles outside of the Nilsson
repertoire, and Miss Gary will resume the posi-
ton which she once SO worthily filled
that of prima donna contralto. One of the
tenors, Capoul, is already favorably known
here, and Campanini's name comes to us
from Europe laden with honors. third
tenor, named Bonfratelli, brings with him the
endorsement of La Scala. The bari
tones, Maurel and Del Puente, have
been weighed in the balance of London
criticism and have not been found wanting.
But one of the most important features of this
company will be the conductor, Signor Muzio.
O musician who gained enviable distinction
years ago in operate campaigns in this
country. He has been selected by Verdi him
self as o competent and experienced director
to superintend the production of the last and
greatest of that maestro's works, "Aida." This
opera, brought out first by the Khedive, at
Cairo, at an almost incredible expense, has
been secured by the Strakosch Brothers for an
early representation in this country. Wagner's
'Lohengrin" is also announced as feature
of the coming season. The production of
two such works will. indeed, be sensation in
operatic circles here. 'Aida" is the fruit of
the ripper powers of the great Italian composer,
and even seasoning with the customary grain
of salt the extravagant encomiums passed
upon it in Egypt and Italy, it must be very
remarkable work and one in which every
musician will take warm interest From
Aeeting glance at Wagner's opera, caught
during its production in German here, enough
was ascertained to pronounce It the best of
that wayward composers works. There is
more solidity, regularity and beauty of form
in it than in any other specimen Of the
school of the future. As these two operas are
on the Meyerbeer pattern of scenic effects and