Year: 1872

The Theatrical Season.


The season of amusement on which we
have entered promises to be one Of unrivalled
brillianey. Managers have been put on their
mettle to produce something worthy of the
great city, which we all hope to see the centre
of the art, as we'll as of tho commercial, world.
Theatre after theatre throws open its doors to
display to us the result of praiseworthy efforts
to make the different houses places of elegant
resort No expense has been spared in this
tence to occupy first class position have been
turned into veritable drawing rooms, while the
movement to improve has been general and
left marked effects behind. Never was there
q time when the stage Of New York sparkled
with the same brilliancy or was clothed with
such evidence of wealth and material pros
perity. Rich in texture and bright in color,
the appointments OF the walking ladies and
gentlemen, who strut their brief hour about
the stage, would make our grandfathers
stare if they could revisit this sphere.
Unless indeed, the shadow-world has felt the
influence of modern ideas, and the people there
are more progressive than We give them credit
for being, the poor shades would be horribly
shocked by our departure from republican
simplicity. But however the past generations
might have looked at the bVou theatre, which
is so rapidly becoming an indispensable insti-
tuition, the people of the present day like it,
will have it, and are ready to pay for the mag
nfcence which appeals SO soothingly to the
senses. Indeed, taste in this matter is becoming
so luxurious that we fear the public are pre-
pared momentarily to sacrifice the higher re-
quirements of art to the satisfaction of their
craving for beautiful accessories. However,
we believe the growing love for the aesthetic,
of which this feeling for richness of color and
display of wealth is but an indication, will in
time demand from the managers similar per-
fection in the dramatic excellence of the works
produced for public approval.


In the few weeks that have elapsed since the
Fall theatrical season was inaugurated the
public have given proof Of a growing purity of
taste and desire for something higher than
the third rate sensational stuff that they were
in the habit of accepting. The change in the





the severer tone of criticism adopted by the
press to check deterioration in the quality Of
theatrical performance that threatened to COM
pletely corrupt public taste. Now that we
have fairly entered on the business Of the sea-
son and can survey the field without interrupt
tion we con congratulate the public on the
delightful prospect of the Winter amusements
that stretches out before them. All corners of
the earth have been ransacked for whatever is
most brilliant and distinguished in the musical
and dramatic world. LII the number and
quality Of the artists that will appear on the
stage our city will be unrivalled even by the
old capitals of Europe. The story of the
wealth Of the New World, and the generous
appreciation of talent exhibited by the Ameri-
can people, act as loadstone whose influence
draws TO our shores whatever there is of
genius in the Old World. Lucca, the spoiled
child of song, whose merry notes ring
with the sweetness and joyousness of
a wild bird, has deserted the scenes of her
triumphs to win new laurels in new world
II we may judge by the enthusiasm already dis
played in her behalf, she is destined to achieve
even greater popularity than Miss Nilsson.
Her beauty and the charming espieglerie of her
manners, combined with frankness of char
acter, make her general favorite with all who
have the pleasure Of her acquaintance. Way
ward, open-hearted and joyous, this wonderful
little person by the magic of her TALENTS has
made for herself an unrivalled fame in Europe,
and the public here are already SO we'll dis
posed in her favor that there can be no doubt
that she will achieve a magnificent success and
establish securely her empire in republican
hearts. The Academy of Music will shine
with brilliancy that promises to eclipse
even the past notable season, when
oil musical New York crowded to listen
to Nilsson, Parepa-Rosa, Santlcy, Wachtel
and Capoul. Some of the artists who support
Madame Lucca arc. like Miss Kellogg well