Year: 1871

the performances Of the Same opera on Friday
evening and yesterday afternoon, is an addi-
tional evidence of the earnest desire of the
metropolitan public to recognize and patronize
literally everything that is good and great in
the lyric drama. The charming melodies Of
the opera, the stray waits of concerted music
with which 1t is adorned, the brilliant finales
to the first and third acts, the exquisite imper-
sonation of the childlike creation of Goethe
by Mile. Nilsson, the sparkling, coquettish
role of Felina SO admirably interpreted by
Mile. Duval, the impassioned love scenes of
Capoul, the dignity and paternal affection of
the aged father Of the heroine, so artistically
shown by Janet, and the liberality and taste
displayed in the stage setting of the opera,
were all received with deserved applause by
the extremely fashionable audience that
thronged the Opera House. Seldom has an
opera taken such a hold on the public from its
first representation, and it grows more attrac-
tive at each subsequent hearing. It would
also be difficult to name an opera season which
has been 40 invariably brilliant and success
full; and now all doubts as to the practicability
OF making Italian opera permanent institu-
tion in this city have been removed. 1t re-
mains for all future managers to secure the
very best talent and to bring out operas
in the most complete manner possible.
The public will take care of the rest. The
Nilsson Opera Company, now almost
at the end Of their season at the
Academy, will return to this city in the
spring, when, likely, the best opera in the
Swedish nightingale's repertoire, Hamlet"
will be produced for the first time. There
will be then an excellent opportunity for the
director to make genuine sensation, and to
eclipse even the brilliancy of the present sea-
son. This may be done by the engagement Of
Wachtel, who can alternate with Nilsson and
Capoul. The interest Of the public would
thereby be excited to the highest pitch, as the
competition between these artists would cause
them to put forth their utmost efforts, and to
raise discussion as to their respective merits
which would all be beneficial both to the
director and the public. For instance, should
Nilsson and Capoul appear in 'Faust" one
week. everybody would 60 afterwards to see
Kellogg and Wachtel in the same roles, so
that they might be able to judge for themselves
on the preference to be accorded to either
one of the finest operate baritones on the
stage, one whose appearance in opera would
be of itself sufficient to create sensation in
opera. This artist is Santley, at present the
star of concert troupe.


An Italian opera numbering among its men,
bers such transcendent artists as Nilsson,
Kellogg, Wachtel Capoul and SantIey might
extend its season far into the summer. Such
engagements will, of course, entail very heavy
expenses on the management; but the public
have shown an unmistakable inclination to
patronize opera of the highest order in the
most liberal manner. Patti and Lucca are the
| rival stars at Covent Garden each season, and
their attractions generally succeed in drawing
away considerable share of the patronage
| from Drury Lane. Combinations Of great
artists have never been known to fail as
| attractions, and now that we have the best
that Europe and America can boast Of in this
| city, the Nilsson management should not let
| the opportunity pass. 1t is useless to talk
about the enormous expense and risk of q
| combination Of this kind. 1t was thought at
first an impossibility to reconcile the public
with London prices, but this season they have
cheerfully paid fva hundred dollars for box
| for twenty nights; and with such combina-


necessary, receive one thousand dollars for
| the same box.


To enlarge on this subject we would ear


nestly suggest spring and summer season Of


Italian opera at the Academy Of Music with


such company as we will now name. Mile.


Christine Nilsson has already proved herself


the first lyric actress Of the day and singer


of exceptional ability. We have also Miss


Clara Louise Kellogg, the sweetest song bird


that ever our country has given birth to, and


who may be justly termed the Mocking Bird


of America. Then we have one of the grand


est of all dramatic prime donne, Madame


Parepa-R Rosa, whose voice brings back recol-
lections of the days of Malibran and Grisi and


who is without rival in strong, dramatic
roles like Norma Donna Anna and Lucretia


Borgia. Next comes an old favorite, one who


has during her stay in Europe gained the


highest laurels, and who has there proved her


self first class artist, Madame Jenny Van


Zandt, o lady whose admirers in this city may


be counted by the hundred. Mile. Pauline


Canissa, fifth prima donna soprano, has


gained enviable laurels in opera in New York,


and her name would add very much to the
| oorccaru Hern VIA hava five nr;yna donuo


all of recognized talent and capable of singing


creditably in any role in opera.


We are equally strong in the contralto line.


Prominent among our artists in this particular
i - xnau uncntion Madama Caxxanina Ma