Year: 1871


Through to completion.


= Opera in Amerlcs.


For the first time in many years the Ameri-
can public have had an opportunity this season
to mark their appreciation Of good music. and
Notwithstanding the many shortcomings of the
Two companies who claimed public patronage,
the reception accorded to them ought to
encourage musical managers to make still
further efforts to improve the quality Of their
entertainments. One of the most serious
complaints hithert made against operatic
management Is the insufficient support given
to the principal artists, who are left almost
alone to sustain the interest of the perform
anoe. 1t requires something of pure devotion
10 music to enable people to pass over oil
the shortcomings which have been but too
visible, both In the English and italian COM
panies, almost without complains, and cer-
tainly without any diminntion in their generous
patronage. Night after night the Academy
6f Music has been crowded by brilliant and
attentive audience, in spite Of the chilling
effect Of poorly trained chorus and the very
unequal and often highly unsatisfactory per-
Formance Of the secondary artists. If managers
were really alive to their own best interests
they would take steps to remedy these serious
defects, and would endeavor to unite in their
companies such . number of reliable artists as
would secure something like uniformity of
merit. At least they ought to avoid the dis
agreeable contrast which cannot fail TO be
offered by introducing in the Same scene an
artist Of the highest power and one Of no
power at all. Though the higher talent no
doubt Shines all the more brightly by CONTRAST
yet the effect does not tail to be unpleasant
and the harmony OF the music is necessarily
disturbed. II il, no doubt, owing to pecuniary
considerations that the shortcomings Of which
ke complain are due; but the experience of
lhis season ought to convince the managers
that their true interest lies in presenting
such an array Of talent ~ shall oom-
mand the patronage of the people. Great as
has been the success Of Parepa-Rosa and
Of the Swedish Nightingale, We have no
hesitation in saying that had better attention
been paid to the organization Of the compa-
MES, 90 as 70 secure more equality In the rem
Herring Of the roles, the result would have
been even more brilliant. From our acquaint-
snce with the sentiments of the public We do
not hesitate to say that whatever the merit Of
IN operatic company, the patronage Of the
public will always generously reward it. There
are no reasonable liuess to the monetary sue
cess which well selected and properly organ
Led combination of artists may not hope to
achieve, and If Mr.. Strakosch will only secure
the aid Of artists like Kellogg and Wachtel
In addition TO Capoul and Nilsson, he may
hope 10 reap such golden harvest between
now and next May, as has never fallen 10 the
lot OF the most fortunate manager. 1t Is
sarcsly fair to the patrons Of opera that they
shonld be compelled to content themselves
With the performance Of one or two artists,
however brilliant, and that the pleasure which
they derive from the execution of Nilsson or
Capoul should be marred by the well inten-
toned but unsatisfactory performance of the
less important artists.


It may be reasonably questioned whether 1t
ls not false economy to save money by pre-





point of attraction, instead Of presenting such
IN array of talent as would create an interest
and excite an enthusiasm which can never be
aroused by companies organized on the pres
ent system. The combination Of talent, which
We suggest, and constant change ol
roles, would have the effect Of. calling
out the best powers OF the artists, and the in
terest that would result to the public from such
friendly competition would lend to the charms
Of music the additional attraction which be-
longs to all competitive efforts. There would
be charm and excitement, not alone for the
could not fail to lend force and brilliancy to
the execution that II Is vain 10 expect under
the present depressing influences. Indeed, Il
must cost great artists really distressing
effort 10 exert their full powers with the feel
ing that every one around 10 medi-
ocre, and that even at their worst they
are sure to be brilliant by contrast. On the
other hand the presence Of rival on the scene
b calculated to call forth all the power and
brilliancy which art and nature may have con-
ferred.s What patronage would be accorded
% music under the changed conditions may be
Judged By ths success Of company which
eepends entirely on the popularity Of . few
prime favortsA with none Of the rivalry
which would lend such charms 10 the combi-
oauon OF talent We propose. Imagine the
enect that would be produced by the appear
ance on the scene Of Kellogg and Nilsson
and then the interest which would result from
achange OF role, the efforts these sweet singers
would make, and the curiosity which would
consume everv lover OF music to liston 10 and