November 5th, 18S0.
THE MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE REVIEW.
MUSICAL PERFORMANCES.
THALIA THEATEE.
STRAUSS' OPERETTA " PRINOE METHUSALEM."
STANDARD THEATEE.
NEW operetta by the king of waltzes, Johann Strauss, is to be con-
sidered a musical event, not one of vital importance, but of great
A
interest. Johann Strauss is a writer of impulse, and creates original work in
CLOSE OF GRAU's OPEBA BOTJMT2 SEASON IN NEW YORK.
N Wednesday evening, October 27th, Mr. Maurice Grau gave his last his small sphere. While his former works, "Indigo "and "The Bat," are
performance in New York, and on the day following the entire com-
O
to the gay style, he is more serious in the new operetta, and is very
pany left for Havana. Mr. Grau has not been very lucky in his venture so devoted
ortunate in his lyric attempts. We are sorry that the plot is so weak, if we
?
far ; he performed here six weeks and a half, and for the greater part of his really can speak of any plot at all. The performance at the Thalia theatre
season to poor houses. There are several reasons for the falling off after a was a good one on the whole, and the management has not spared expense
few successful inaugural nights. When " La Fille du Tambour Major " was ,nd rehearsals, to bring the work out in a manner seldom seen in our New
brought out, the company appeared to best advantage, and it seemed as if York theatres. Mr. Lube, the stage manager, proved his efficiency by the
a prosperous season would crown the efforts of the manager. But heavy ex- arrangement
different spectacular effects, which were heartily cheered by
penses forced the manager to split his troupe, and while one division per- our Teutonic of
If the management had done a little more for the or-
formed at the Standard theatre, a detachment was sent to Brooklyn, Balti- chestral part, citizens.
the effect would have been heightened. The expense for ten
more and Washington. These proceedings may have been beneficial for the more musicians
cannot be so enormous, and, we should think, would amply
moment, but soon the public of New York found out the performances were repay for the outlay.
who play there do their duty, but cannot be
not up to the former standard, that insignificant actors were called to fill sxpected to make up for Those
instruments left out entirely. When will our
first roles, and the representations of opera bouffe became uninteresting and managers learn that the the
orchestra is one of the most important ingredients
tame. When the entire company was united again, it was too late, and no-
body believed thereafter in performances of brilliancy and fun. Even the of a musical work.
Fraulein Emma Koenig sang the title role. If this lady would pay
new operetta, "Babiole," a work of very light, but amusing character,
attention to correct respiration, which makes enunciation clear, she could
failed to draw.
a good singer. She has a voice of good quality, and sings
Before leaving New York Mr. Grau gave two performances of " La Peri- be considered
feeling and taste. As an actress fihe is insignificant. Miss Kuster, who
chole," and those who attended these representations could not help seeing with
ago sang in company with Wachtel at the Academy of Music, made
that the company, in its present state cannot excite any interest. With the ears part
of the princess attractive, and was musically the star of the even-
exception of M. Nigri, who gave an artistic rendering of Piquillo, the musical the
ng. Mr. Schnelle is a tenor with strong, but not very sympathetic high
part of the "show" (because it hardly deserves a better name) was sadly neg- notes,
which he uses to his heart's delight. Tenors are rare; and if Mr.
lected. Mile. Paola Marie, always weak in the title role, is now bad beyond
had a better voice, we do not think he would stoop to operetta,
redemption. It is a pity that this talented girl cannot infuse a stronger in- Schnelle
would try the boards of the operatic stage. The two comedians, Mr.
dividuality into her roles. She gives portrayals entirely unsatisfactory and but
and Mr. Adolfi, were capital. One remark may be made on this oc-
lame. Her voice has fallen back into the bad habit of forcing the chest tones "jube
asion. Political allusions are out of place both on the stage and in papers
so terribly, that the medium tones have lost their timbre. We fear that devoted
Art. They show in both places bad taste and should be entirely
Paola Marie remained too long in this country, and the number of her ad- avoided. to The
chorus was efficient, and the work was received with frankly
mirers has dwindled down to an insignificant few who remain true to her. expressed approbation.
A long run is expected for " Prince Methusalem."
A Monsieur Villano sang the part of the King, and if this man's name were
Villain, it could not be more apt for the occasion. It is, not to use a stronger
expression, at least bold on the part of any manager to bring a man of so
GRAND OPERA HOUSE.
little talent and less voice before the New York public. The worst of the
performances of the opera bouffe troupe was, during the past season, the or-
" BOCCACCIO."
chestra. M. Almeras, the chef d'orchestre, is a great favorite with the man-
AHN'S
Comic
Opera
Company
finishes its season in New York on
agement, probably because he is cheap; but there may be other reasons
Saturday next, and after that date will invade the country. Suppe's
which produced this special liking. We always considered M. Almeras a sparkling
operetta, " Boccaccio," was represented in the spring at the Union
rough conductor, who does his work crudely, without the least aesthetic Square, and
with few exceptions the present cast is the same as before. Miss
feeling and sense of delicacy. But in former seasons the orchestra did not Jeannie Winston
in the title role is the same unsympathetic impersonation,
frighten people off. As it was this season, the band furnished music which and really does not
impress the American audience with the right idea of the
was not always on a level with some inferior bands in political parades. We character. Mr. Mahn
selects his company with the view of an itinerant
heard some clarinet playing, by far the vilest which could be listened to in season, and consequently
arranges his company in a manner which suits him
any orchestra, which makes claims to furnish musical performances, very best for his purposes. Mr.
his musical director, tries to do his best
likely one of those musicians whom Mr. Grau brought from Europe. But with the material put at his Kerker,
disposal, and the performances gain, through his
why does Mr. Grau bring musicians over, when he has not the least idea of exertions, an apparently musical
character. The company did a fair busi-
their ability. Managers want to have everything cheap, but at the end of
here, and the patrons of musical representations at the Grand Opera-
the season they generally find out that they have been penny-wise and ness
are not so very rigorous in their demands. They want to be enter-
pound-foolish. Mr. Grau, when he comes back in the spring, if he hopes to be house
at comparatively low prices, and find enjoyment in performances
successful, must give opera bouffe and opera comique on a musical basis, or tained
would be declined by more aristocratic audiences. We suppose
he will have to learn that the public of New York prefers not to have thi which
are perfectly right; and the manager, who knows his public, is right
kind of entertainment at all. The days of opera bouffe in America are num- they
And if we consider the acting stupid, and the average .pinging, with
bered; but if it goes on a little longer as in the past season, we shall have to too.
one single exception, of insignificant character, it must be our own fault,
write its obituary very soon.
and lack of appreciative faculties. We wish Mr. Mahn and his company all
As mentioned before, Mr. Grau had not a very successful season in New possible success—far from New York.
York; nevertheless we do not believe that he has sunk a large amount of
money. He hired his artists out to the various concert halls, and in this way
ACADEMY OF MUSIC.
made good some of the losses he experienced at his regular performances
The Havana season promises to be a great financial success, and we hope in
ITALIAN OPERA.
the interest of the enterprising manager, that this report may prove true
INCE
our
last
issue
the
repertoire
of Her Majesty's Opera at the Academy
Grau has done a great deal for New York ; he has procured amusement fo:
of Music has included "La Favorita," " Faust," "Linda," " Carmen,"
the masses, even if it was only in opera bouffe.
" Rigoletto," "Somnambula,"and " Ballo in Maschera." With the exception
of this last-named opera, all the other works have been performed here by the
CONSTANTINE STERNBERG'S MATINEES.
company in previous seasons, even with the same cast; therefore a special
B. STERNBERG, the Russian pianist, has just completed a series o review of the single performances appears superfluous. Although business
four matinees at the Madison Square theatre, and will shortly leave at the Academy of Music is good, and the management in high spirits, it
our city for a tour wee through the country. New York has not heard Mr seems as if the artistic barometer had considerably fallen. Mr. Mapleson
Sternberg as this artist should be heard. After two concerts at the Academj used to pride himself on his great ensemble, but the one performance among
of Music, he was thrown into another place, void of every acoustic quality all which could present an ensemble, Bizet's opera, must have persuaded
and as musical people have no leisure to patronize afternoon performances* everybody in the house that the minor parts were inadequately filled, that
Mr. Sternberg's audiences were composed mostly of ladies, who did not care the chorus sang wretchedly, that even the orchestra was not up to the ex-
for the performances at all, but came there just for the sake of killing an pected standard.
hour during the period of their shopping expedition. If Mr. Sternberg wai
Those who intend to dupe the public, may disguise these facts ; but in the
expected to make a success in New York, he should have been kept before long end " murder will out," and they may become the dupes themselves.
the public in evening performances before critical, but thoroughly musical That the artists of Mr. Mapleson suffered occasionally in the beginning of
audienc e s. Whatever the opinion may be on his playing, he is a very seriouf the season from hoarseness is beyond his control, and it speaks well for the
artist, free of tendencies toward the vulgar, a musician of high rank, and number and ability of his singers that no change of programme took place.
composer of merit.
Campanini is not quite well yet, and has to fight through most of his imper-
He appeared in these matinees insignificant, and is not liable to blame sonations ; but he is an artist who, even with a disobedient voice, can depend
on account of this insignificance. In several instances his surroundings were upon his histrionic powers, and is always sure to gratify his audiences in
so terribly weak, and of so low a character, that the whole affair assumed the some way. Nevertheless we hope that his health will be restored very soon,
air of insignificance and shabbiness. We are sorry for Mr. Sternberg, for because as soon as the grand repertoire takes possession of the field he has
we know that there are a great many excellent points in his playing, which, some work to do which must be accomplished with the voice alone, and not
even if they came to the surface, were not heeded at all. His repertoire is with gestures and dramatic expression.
remarkable, and proves his musical education. He has a special liking for
Campanini is an artist of great abilities, but his voice is on the decline.
the works of living composers ; but we see no reason to reproach him on that He must be very careful, or we are afraid that the operatic stage will lose,
account. His selections are interesting to the musician, although they may sooner than expected, one of its brightest ornaments. Campanini is valu-
appear valueless to the average listener. His own compositions are excel- able, because he shuns the conventional, and is always thoughtful of the
lently conceived, and artistically worked out. We hope that Mr. Sternberg dramatic strength of his characters, drawing interesting and impressive
will find his townee pleasant in every regard. New York has not judged him portrayals with clearly cut outlines.
very kindly, because he appeared under all possible disadvantages. We do
Signor Ravelli feels now more at home in New York than at the begin-
not doubt that on his return to this city in the spring he will have a hearing ning of the season. Since his first appearance in this country his artistic
under more favorable auspices, and then the verdict will be entirely in his standing has been very clearly defined. His Edgardo was a good per-
favor. It takes time to make an artist of stern qualities popular ; but once formance, and his Carlo in "Linda" was better. His voice being nothing
the acknowledgment is received, his career will be more lasting and more more than a lyric tenor, the part of Carlo, which hardly goes beyond a
artistic than that of artists who rouse momentary enthusiasm. Such at least romanza and a duet, suited him splendidly, and made him many friends.
is our opinion, and we base this opinion on former experiences.
Unfortunately, he wiped out a good many points in " Rigoletto." He is by
M
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