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THE MUSICAL CRITIC AND TRADE REVIEW.
386
July 20th, 1882.
The Philharmonic, at its last concert of the sea- She is about to kill him, but he looks up at her
gave Rubinstein's "Paradise Lost." The at the moment, and her heart is touched with
June 19. son,
work itself does not seem interesting, and the per- pity. She curses him and allows him to de-
TT ALLAN OPERA is as attractive this season as formance, especially of the chorus, was not at all part.
_L the strongest combination of prime donne can good.
Upon arriving at his uncle's, the King of Corn-
make it.
wall, Tristan praises Isolde so much that the King
0BY.8TAL
PAIiACE.
Mr. Gye has spared no pains to please his sub-
dispatches him to bring her to share his throne.
scribers, but, although he has not failed entirely,
At one of these concerts, a new symphony, by The opera opens on shipboard, with Tristan re-
his success has only been moderate.
Signor Agambati, of Rome, who made his debut turning to Cornwall with Isolde, who is telling to
The performances of opera under Eichter, at here as a pianist a short time since, was performed her companion what has already been detailed.
Drury Lane, have been so perfect in detail that and met with a cordial reception.
She decides to take poison and invite the unsus-
London audiences are no longer content to hear It has much charming melody, which, united as pecting Tristan to share the cup, thus accomplish-
even two or three remarkably good singers in it is to modern harmonic progression and instru- ing her delayed revenge, but the poison is changed
operas frequently given with insufficient rehearsals mentation, makes it a work of interest, aside from by her companion for the love philter.
both of chorus and orchestra.
This accomplishes its purpose, and Tristan
its beauty.
Besides this, Mr. Gye's male singers are not The symphony is in four movements, and was sadly arrives at Cornwall to surrender his loved
good, with the exception of Mirswinsky and Fra- skillfully performed by the Crystal Palace orches- one to the King. A treacherous knight suspects
polli, among the tenors, and two or three basses. tra, conducted by the composer.
Tristan, and delays the entrance of the King, who
finally arrives in time to behold his intended bride
The Belgian tenors, from whom so much was
in the arms of Tristan.
expected, have not turned out well. Indeed, the
MB. CABL BOSA
vibrato with which most of them are strongly has formed a partnership with Herr Franke in
The latter, overcome by remorse, seeks death
affected makes their performances particularly order to secure Richter as conductor of the Eng- from the knight who has betrayed him, and in
distasteful to English ears.
the encounter, purposely avoiding to defend him-
opera next season.
After all, Campanini is by far the best tenor on lish
is wounded.
If English opera is to prove a successful enter- self,
the operatic stage, and Mr. Gye would be fortu- prise
In the last act Tristan is lying ill of his wound
in
London,
as
we
all
hope,
it
may
be
safely
nate in having him, because here he would not be assumed that Richter is the man above all others in his castle. The news of Isolde's coming is borne
worked to death, as he is in America, and conse- who is best capable to direct the musical part of to his ears, and in an ecstacy of joy he tears the
quently would oftener be in good voice.
bandage from his wound and expires as Isolde ar-
the venture.
rives.
The
public
can
also
congratulate
itself
upon
one
MME. PAULINE LUCCA
It will be observed that this story, which closely
probability, viz.: that no more money will be follows
the Celtic legend, "Tristrem and Iseult,"
has reappeared here after an absence of ten years, wasted on the revival of sucli operas as Balfe's is sufficiently
prolific in dramatic situations, but
and has proved an additional attraction at Covent "Moro."
is objectionable—not to say disgusting—in the
Garden.
If Mr. Rosa succeeds in securing an efficient
On this occasion "Carmen" was given, this being chorus and artists that can sing some of Wagner's manner of its tragic end.
the first performance of that charming opera at later operas in English, he will do more for the Frau Lucher and Frau Brandt, Herr Winkle-
Covent Garden, although it is, of course,well known establishment of English opera on a firm basis than mann, Herr Jura, Herr Kraus^, and the remaining
artists all declaimed the work in a style leaving
to the public through the performances at Her would be possible in any other way.
nothing to be desired.
Majesty's Theatre um\er Col. Mapleson's manage-
The last night of the German season was Jane
ment.
"NIBELTJNGEN" IN AMEEICA.
30, when
Madame Lucca, in assuming this difficult role,
brought her finished singing and beautiful appear- Herr Neumann's troupe of German artists will
"DIE MEISTEBSINGEfi"
ance to give it effect, but a voice slightly worn in return here for a few cycles of the trilogy in the
autumn,
after
which
they
will
probably
go
to
New
was
given
with
its usual success.
the high notes failed somewhat to respond per-
York and other important cities.
The Richter season of concerts was brought to
fectly to her wishes.
Mons. Lestellier, tenor, and Mons. Bouhy, basso, You may thus have an opportunity of hearing a worthy close by a splendid performance of the
were not very successful, although the extreme Wagner's great work in America, where, whether Ninth Symphony.
nervousness of the former on this occasion, and the popular judgment is for or against it, it will The last of Mr. Halle's series of concerts for the
the excellent performances of the latter in other probably be listened to with attention and studied benefit of the Royal College of Music was very
interesting, comprising among other things a very
operas, should not lead us to pronounce a judg- as such a grand example of a new art deserves.
good performance of Beethoven's Mass in 1).
ment too hastily.
AMEBICUS.
Mr. Cusins gave a concert during the month, at
Mme. Valleria lent the charm of her voice and
which he displayed his well-known skill as a pian-
LONDON.
acting to the small soprano part.
ist and composer. Some of his compositions were
Mme. Nilsson has had a disagreement with Mr.
LONDON, July 3.
sung by Mr. Santley, and met with the decided
Gye, which will probably end in a law suit.
NE of the most interesting seasons is drawing success which they merit.
It seems that Mr. Gye, before sending the
to a close, and yet, excepting operas, there It is hardly worth while to mention the per-
engagement for her to sign, had received a letter
from her accepting his terms, and relying upon have been few novelties to mention. A few years formances at Covent Garden further than to re-
this, he advertised her to appear in the first per- ago most of the new music to be heard in London mark upon the splendid galaxy of prime donne
formance at Covent Garden of Boito's "Mefisto- was rather of the concert class, but this season who continue to draw good houses.
has brought to our knowledge the great music It is a pity, however, that Mr. Gye still con-
fele."
of Richard Wagner, whose genius we tinues to give us such bad male voices as soloists.
She thereupon wrote to the newspapers, stating dramas
all acknowledge and admire, whether or not If the Italian opera is to be monopolized by the
that she was not under engagement to Mr. Gye, must
we hail him as the prophet of the future.
Belgians, compel them, at any rate, to come over
and that he had no right to advertise her.
to England and learn to sing before they appear.
Mr. Gye replied, stating his side of the case,
"TBISTAN TJND ISOLDE"
and there it stands at present.
LENEPVEtj's OPEBA, "VELLEDA,"
Mme. Nilsson's friends regret that she should was the latest novelty produced at Drury Lane
have had any difficulty with Mr. Gye, who is Theatre. With the general public and a majority will be given to-morrow night with a cast includ-
usually considered very honorable in his dealings of the press, it must be considered almost a fail- ing Mesdames Patti, Valleria, Stahl, and Signori
with artists.
ure. Notwithstanding the magnificent perform- Nicolini, Cologni, and De Reske.
The opera is favorably spoken of, and, in the
Madame Patti is the principal attraction this ance under Herr Richter, the work has been given
season, as usual, of the Italian opera.
only a few times, and that which promised to be scarcity of new works, will probably be a great
She has appeared, so far, only in her usual char- the closing climax of a highly artistic and suc- addition to the Italian repertoire in London. Mr.
acters, but is annoxinced to appear soon in a new cessful venture has proved to be quite the con- Gye has shown his usual commendable encourage-
ment to young composers by employing his best
opera, "Velleda," by Mons. Lenepven, an hitherto trary.
AMEBICUS.
unknown composer.
The reason for this must be sought for not artists for its interpretation.
At Drury Lane, the German operas, under the alone in the ever increasing difficulties encount-
management of Franke & Pollini, with the won- ered by one who attempts to understand the mu-
derful conductor, Richter, continue to draw crowd- sic of Wagner, but also, in the story itself, which
ed houses, especially on the Wagner nights.
exhibits love under some of the aspects so objec-
The "Meistersingers of Niirnberg" has been the tionable in "Die Walkiire."
greatest success of the season thus far.
Tristan is the nephew of the King of Cornwall,
BALTIMORE.
It is really a beautiful opera. Instead of the which kingdom is obliged to pay tribute to Ire-
BALTIMOBE, July 11.
endless recitatives of Wagner's "Ring des Nibel- land. Becoming weary of this tax, the Cornish
ungen," this opera often has melodies of a pro- refuse to pay it any longer, and instead of going A MIDSUMMER calm prevails here at present,
nounced character, and the choruses and concerted to war with Ireland send the knight, Tristan, to XJL which makes it more pleasant for our mu-
pieces are of remarkable beauty.
maintain this determination in battle against some sical people to visit the mountains and the sea
In fact, it is such a charming opera that one can knight to be chosen by Ireland.
beaches, to inhale the healthy breeze so necessary
but admire it and go to hear it as often as possible. The betrothed of Isolde, daughter of the King for a happy existence.
Weber's "Euryanthe" was produced last week, of Ireland, is the chosen champion, and is killed Most of our musical folks can afford to spend a
but was not a great success. This was not so by Tristan, who is also dangerously wounded in few weeks in the country, and, to their credit, let
much owing to the opera itself as to its stupid the encounter.
me state that they take advantage of the op-
libretto.
The champions of the latter knowing by repute portunity offered to them by circumstances, and
The music is, of course, a little weak to our that Isolde has the marvellous secrets of healing leave here whenever they feel so disposed.
Wagner-accustomed ears, but it is often beautiful herbs, and anxious to save Tristan, dress him as a The resorts in the immediate vicinity offer many
and always has musical merit. The overture, poor sailor and put him in a boat which is al- attractions, which are admired as much by the
which is doubtless well-known to the concert-go- lowed to drift near the castle of Isolde. She, see- musician as by other visitors, especially if the
ing public of New York, remains always worth ing this wounded man, conveys him to the castle musician can make hia expenses by playing in a
hearing and loses no charm from its splendid per- and begins to nurse him, but in the course of Summer resort hotel, and something more.
formance under the baton of Richter.
healing, the wound discharges a small piece of a The musicians from Baltimore have engage-
"Tristan and Isolde" is promised for to-morrow, sword. This arouses Isolde's suspicion, and upon ments at the various Virginia resorts, at Cresson
and it is believed will be as great a success as comparing the piece with the broken blade of her Springs, Penn., and at the hotels on the shores of
.lover, she recognizes Tristan as his slayer.
"Die Meistersinger" has been.
the bay and the ocean.
LONDON.
LONDON,
O