Met Carmen with Zebrelli and Campanini, Brooklyn, 1884

Speranza

Mme. Trebelli, who made her first appearance in this city on this occasion, is unquestionably an artist.

Her Carmen, it is true, has but little of the diablerie of Hauk or the sensuousness of Belocca.

Dramatically, however, it is a notable conception, and while the initial scenes last night were measurably disappointeing, the tragic intensity of the concluding portions was a distinct revelation.

Signor Italo Campanini, who made his entree here on this occasion, was surprisingly listliss and unconcerned in the first and second acts, but in the last two, when seemingly aroused by the cordial reception accorded the ideal Toreador, Signor Del Puente, he put forth his best efforts and never before has he shown so much of dramatic fire nor voiced his music with more of virile expression.

Artistically the honors of the performance fell to the lot of Mme. Valleria, whose Michaela was indeed the perfection of vocalism and acting.

The minor characters call for but slight comment, while the absence of discipline among the chorus was painfully evident.

The orchestra, under the direction of Signor Cleofante Campanini, performed its work with precision, but the staging of the opera was no better than the representations which this public has endured with more or less of resignation for a score of years.