Mr. Saxon, although whose voice is rather light, delivered the "Toreador Song" with a vim, and it was repeated. Mr. Appleby as Don Jose and Mr. Miron as Zuniga were very acceptably, while Miss Klein as Michaela, Miss Avery as Frasquita, and Miss Helen Campbell as Mercedes proved that they have very pleasing voices, and it would seem that in the future we may expect more of them. The voices of the chorus were surprisingly fresh and clear, and their enunciation was excellent. The orchestra discharged its duty faithfully, but we would like to suggest to Mr. Loesch, the director, that he restrain the zeal of the drum-man in the prelude, and in the same passage where it occurs in the introduction to the Fourth Act. The enthusiasm of the audience betokens a good business outlook. GERMAN OPERA. ALTHOUGH the public have been furnished with two most interesting novelties within the past few weeks-Weber's "Euranthe," and Spontini's "Ferdinand Cortez," the attendance at the Metropolitan has been on the wane. This fact is deeply to be regretted, for the management has afforded the American public during the past three seasons a series of operatic performances such as have never before been presented, and to attend the productions of many of these works, numbers of musical enthusiasts have repeatedly crossed the Atlantic. How often is it asked whether the advantages for the study of music in Germany were not far superior to those available in this country! The answer for a good many years was necessarily in the affirmative, on account of the difficulty of obtaining good instructors in America. During the past few years, many young Americans of talent have returned from abroad with faculties as fully developed as though they had been born in Europe, and in addition to these a number of the leading professors in German conservatories and music schools have made their home with us, so that in order to obtain thorough musical instruction it is no longer imperative that one should leave his native land. The only excuse now in vogue for those who will go abroad, is that the advantages for hearing music there are far greater than those to be obtained here. Since the in auguration of the excellent series of symphony concerts, with their wonderfully diverse programmes, selected with such care by Thomas, Damrosch, Neundorf, and Van der Stucken, the plea that there is not a sufficient amount of orchestral music of the highest order will not hold, or that opportunities for hearing oratorio or chambermusic do not exist where such organizations as Damrosch's "Oratorio Society," and the Philharmonic" and Beethoven" Quartette Clubs are doing such excellent work. The only object, therefore, which has hitherto been unattainable in our own country has been the proper production of the heavier operas or music-dramas of Wagner. These works, of such vast dimensions and appalling vocal and instrumental difficulties, have, one by one, been added to the repertoire of our German Opera Company, and for the first few performances as long as their novelty charmed-" drew" surprisingly large houses. But alas! even they fail to remain novelties forever, and the public seem to demand something else, and to such an extent has this demand made itself felt, that the question as to whether there should be another season of German opera or not, has at last assumed serious proportions. At a time when it has finally become possible to for Americans to enjoy all the advantages which a European course of study would bring them, to think of abandoning the project for continuing the opera seems a great pity. Several schemes for the continuation of German opera, also for the closing of the Metropolitan, have been discussed; all varieties and shades of opinion have been exposed, from the man who regards Italian opera as the only salvation of the institution to the rabid Wagneriac who wishes to force the works of the immortal master down the ears of the unconverted multitude, who, while affording the funds which support this great art educational factor, still desire an occasional relief in the form of lighter works. Why would it not be possible to compromise, another season, and give the public not necessarily new artistes throughout—as one of the daily papers suggests but a repertoire containing a less fatiguing series of works? Having had access for a number of years to a weekly list of the repertoires of all the leading opera houses of Germany, Austria and Russia, the writer is able to assert with comparative safety that there doubtless never were presented, within so short a period, such a number of heavy operas as have been given in this city during the past two seasons, unless a cycle of the "Nibelungen Ring" were given, and this occurs only occasionally. Any thinking person must realize that the Germans have had hitherto far greater opportunities for hearing music than the Americans, having grown up with it, and learned more or less of the rudiments in the schools. At the same time, the managers of their leading opera houses wisely vary the weekly programmes, and give not alone lighter German and French operas, but Italian ones, too, thus showing that variety is needed even by those who are fitted for digesting the heaviest musical pabulum. During the past week we have had the pleasure of hearing Herr Alvary in "Lohengrin," an opera which will doubtless long remain a favorite opera with the public, as Wagner combines here a most pleasing variety of melodies more or less connected with beautiful and appropriate harmonies, without that almost unceasing series of deceptive cadences which characterizes his later works. We were all delighted with the ideal personification of the Knight of the Swan, and regretted that we had not had the opportunity before. The purity of his voice, the charm of his presence, and the poetic fervor lent to the character by Herr Alvary will ever be remembered with gratitude and the hope that we shall have the pleasure of hearing him another season. "Die Götterdämmerung" was given last Wednesday evening for the first time in America, and the entire Nibelungen cyclus will be given next week. A full review will appear later. Edgar S. Kelley. AMATEUR NOTES. THE amateur theatricals, last Monday evening, January 23d, given at the Concert Hall of the Metropolitan Opera House in aid of the News Boys' West Side Lodging House, by what you might call the Society Amateurs of New York, proved in every way a great success, not only financially, but artistically. The curtain was the only hitch during the performance, it having many stubborn ways of its own in rising and falling. The house was crowded when the curtain rose on the opening play of the evening-a comedy drama in two acts, entitled "Major and Miner." Mr. Kershaw, as the old father, did some very clever acting, and was admirably supported by Mrs. Berlan Gibbs, a new light among the amateur talent; her positions were graceful and she read the lines in an earnest and praiseworthy manner, and I feel sure that with study and hard work she will make a good actress. Mr. Satterlee, as Septimus Brief, was excellently made up, and seemed at his ease; during the play he certainly had the sympathy of the audience on his side which speaks for itself. Mr. Hall and Mr. Parry did the best as could be expected of them out of minor parts. This play was followed by two scenes from "The Hunchback" with Miss DeWolfe and Mr. Coward in the respective rôles. So much has already been said about this most clever bit of acting that I will not take up the space here for criticism, except to say that Miss DeWolfe since her trip abroad has improved her Helen considerably, and it was well up to any professional performances. Mr. Coward, as usual, was excellent, and he seems to improve as the years slide by. "The Dead Shot" closed the evening's entertainment, and Miss Alice Lawrence, as Louisa, made a decided hit, her songs being encored again and again. Mr. Hall, as the eccentric Hector Timid, was irresistibly funny, and kept the audience in continual laughter. The other parts were well filled by Miss Rita Lawrence, Mr. Warren, Mr. Conrad and Mr. Kershaw. I hear that the entertainment netted nearly $600. So that the newsboy's are also well pleased with the performance. An Amateur performance will be given on the evening of February 1st, at Chickering Hall, in aid of the deaf mutes. The entertainment is under the direction of Mr. E. F. Coward, and the programme promises to be an excellent one. It will consist of "The Circus Rider," with Miss DeWolfe, Mr. Coward, Mr. Conrad and Mr. DeWolfe. A scene from "Othello" with Mr. John H. Bird, as Othello, and Mr. Coward, as Iago, Mr. Conrad, as Cassio, Miss Daintry and Miss Arnote in the roles of Desdemona and Emelia. "Peace at Any Price" will close the evening's entertainment with Miss Alice Lawrence and Mr. Coward in the respective rôles. Tickets at $1.50 (including reserved seat), can be had of Rev. Dr. Gallaudet, 9 West 18th Street. The Amateur. A NARROW-MINDED man was bragging that he weighed only three pounds less than Alexander Humboldt. That may be so," observed Saphir, "but those three pounds were taken from his brain." "I WAS born on the very day that Goethe died," said a conceited author. "Both events were a misfortune to German literature," commented Saphir. 14th St., bet. Broadway and 4th Av. Evening at 8.30. Sat. Matinee at 2. Manager Mr. J. M. Hill. Acting Manager. Mr. James J. Brady. THE HENRIETTA. Nicholas Vanalstyne W. H. Crane Dr. Parke Wainwright; Nicholas Vanalstyne, Jr.... 20 Broadway and Thirty-Ninth Street. RUDOLPH ARONSON, MANAGER. Every Evening at 8. Saturday Matinee at 2. ERMINIE. H. J. Lethcourt Charles Kent Erminie. Cerise. Agnes Lockwood. Watson Flint.. Mrs. Cornelia Opdyke... Selina Fetter Lady Mary Trelauney.. Miss Waldron Javotte. Marie. Delaunay Cadeaux.. Mr. Bergman Princéss de Gramponeur. Mr. Carpenter Sibyl Johnstone Miss Storey Evenings at 8. Matinee Wednesday and Saturday at 2. .. Mr. M. W. Hanley MR. EDWARD HARRIGAN'S New Domestic Drama of the South, in Four Acts and Four Scenes, entitled "PETE." New and Original Melodies, by MR. DAVE BRAHAM. PETE. MR. EDWARD HARRIGAN Gaspar Randolph Vi'let.. .Mr. John Wild Mr. Dan Collyer Dr. Jos. Clifford... Mr. Frank E. Aiken May Morgan.. .Miss Lavinia Shannon Little May... Guests of Blossom Landing Hotel. DALY'S THEATRE Broadway and 30th Street. Evening at 8.15. Wed. and Sat. Matinee at 2. Sole Manager........ Mr. Augustin Daily. Viscomte de Brissac Boxes. Orchestra.. Pauline Hall Kitty Cheatham Louise Sylvester ...... Marie Jansen Georgie Denin Sadie Kirby Francis Wilson $8, $10, $12 | Balcony. $1.50 Admission. W. S. Daboll . George Oliver Henry Hallam Charles Plunkett B. F. Joslyn A. W. Mafflin $1.00 .50 Balcony. Orch. Circle and Front Balcony.. . Forrest Robinson W. H. Compton ....J. F. Dean Fred G. Ross Frank Losee D. J. Maguinness Frank E. Lamb W. J. Wheeler C. A. Warde Minnie Radcliffe ...... Lillian Lee Mrs. W. G. Jones Marion Elmore Grace Thorne Orch. Chairs and Front Orchestra Circle.. MUSICAL INSTRUCTION. GRAND CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC, 46-WEST TWENTY-THIRD ST.-46 The leading school of Music, Elocution, Dramatic Art, Foreign Languages, Drawing and Painting. Free advan. tages equal to six lessons per week. Mazulm, the night-owl and Genius of the Mystic Tomb, Chevalier Bariano, a Dissipated Gallant, Maclou, servant to Bariano.. The Great Chief. Rox Hi, Grand Vizier. Clown... Harlequin. Policeman. Pantaloon.. Columbine. Albert Martinetti Mons. Gavant .L. S. Robertson Peter Boniface August Siegrist L. Marshall Mr. L. Rubel J. Hamilton William Eunice First production in America of L'ABBE CONSTANTIN. The Abbe Constantin ... John Gilbert Jean Daubray... W. T. Lovell Count Paul de Laverdens, M. de Larnac.. Bernard.. Charles Dodsworth Mlle. Cynthia Ray....... Mrs. Abbey Mrs. Georgie Drew-Barrymore Enid Leslie Kate Bartlett .$15.00 $1.50 50 CENTS PAPER---JUST OUT PLAYGOERS' YEAR-BOOK. The dramatic annual for 1888. Story of the stage the past year, with especial reference to Boston, giving histories and plots of all new plays and operas in entertaining narrative form; casts; biographies; criticism; comments of authors and actors, etc. Enjoyable reading and valuable reference. Profusely illustrated with portraits and scenes. By C. E. L. Wingate, dramatic critic, Boston Daily Journal. Send to Stage Publishing Co., 31 Milford Street. Boston. EDGAR S. KELLEY, Composer and Pianist, Is prepared to receive pupils in Piano-forte Playing, Harmony, and the higher branches of Musical Composition. Special terms to teachers. CHICKERING HALL. HAWTHORNE, COSTUMES, 4 EAST 20TH STREET, NEW YORK. |