Combination Italian Opera: Il Trovatore

“Verdi’s favorite opera has obtained such a hold on the affections of the lovers of good music that it was nowise surprising to find a brilliant audience assembled to hear it rendered by the company at the Academy last night. The manner in which it is put upon the stage reflects credit on the management, and is certainly a desirable improvement on the past. The happy alterations of charming arias and effective choruses lend peculiar interest to ‘Il Trovatore,’ especially when ordinary care has been given to the organization of the chorus. Last night it was not by any means immaculate, but gave proof that some pains had been taken to train it. The preponderance of male singers gave to the choruses a ruggedness and want of balance that we would like to see remedied. The cast was the same as in former representations, Mr. Santley appearing as Count De Luna, Parepa-Rosa as Leonora, Wachtel as the Troubadour and Miss Phillips as Azucena. Santley was in excellent voice, and earned a rapturous encore by his sweet and tenderful rendering of the aria ‘Il Balen del Soriso.’ Every note came out clear and distinct, with the ease and absence of effort which lend so much charm to Santley’s singing. Wachtel’s rendering of the serenade, ‘Deserto Sulla Terra,’ was not pleasing. There was a total absence of the expressiveness that belongs to this melodious complaint. Straining after effect with his high notes, he imparted a ruggedness to the song which was strangely out of keeping with its sense. The same objection cannot be urged in the case of the scene with Azucena, where he sings ‘Un Momento puo Involarmi.’ Here the use of the higher notes as the vehicle for the expression of violent passion was most effective, but more than once the singing was out of time. In the quartet the lower notes were often inaudible, and the sudden, jerky uttering of the higher ones produced an unpleasant effect. The way in which this artist sang the delightful aria, ‘Amor, sublime Amor,’ would go far to prove that with care he could free himself from the objectionable uneven mode of singing of which we complain, and which seeks to make an impression by sensational effects rather by legitimate effort. Tours de force may satisfy the uneducated, but can never compensate for the want of truth and correctness to the minds of an educated audience. The rendering of “Amor, sublime Amor,’ was marked by the greatest care, and gave abundant evidence of a culture which could scarcely be suspected from the crudeness which constantly marred this artist’s singing. His grand effort was reserved for the outburst of passionate feeling, ‘Di quella pira l’orréndo fuoco,’ which he sang with wondrous vigor. The pitch was certainly marvelous, and the clear, distinct manner in which he rolled out the upper C brought down the house and earned a well deserved encore. ‘Ai nostri Monti’ was well given, but ‘Ah che la morte’ was entirely wanting in tenderness and expression. Indeed, we cannot understand how he throws so much feeling into ‘Amor, sublime Amor’ and so utterly fails in sympathy with ‘Ah che la morte.’ The final scene was also weak and unsatisfactory. Madame Parepa-Rosa was in good voice and abstained from the straining efforts that so constantly mar her singing. The manner in which she sang the lovely aria, ‘Amor che intendo io sola’ was sweet and touching, but ‘In questo asil remoto’ was weakly given. In the rendering of ‘Vanne, sospir dolente’ she displayed brilliant vocalization. Miss Phillips appeared to be suffering from a slight hoarseness; he voice was wanting in clearness and flexibility. The orchestra on several occasions during the performance quite drowned the voices of the singers. Cannot Carl Rosa try to moderate their zeal?”

“Another superb performance of the ‘Trovatore’ last night crowded the Academy to excess. The splendid quartet which is now giving opera with so much acceptation was in excellent condition. Madame Parepa-Rosa sang in her best style; Miss Phillips was at once dramatic and melodious; Wachtel flung out his high C, and Santley enchanted every listener by his exquisite and perfect vocalization.”

“’Il Trovatore’ was given at the Academy of Music, last evening, in presence of an overwhelming audience. The performances of Mme. Parepa-Rosa, Herr Wachtel and Mr. Santley have already been dwelt upon in this place, and we need only say that they were enjoyed to the full yesterday.”