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Tim appearance of Adelina Patti as Zerlina, in Don Giovanni, last Saturday, did what we said it would do—gave full scope to her dra- matic talent and tested her qualities as a singer of classical music. It was also, what we expected it to be, her best and most successful effort. Nature and art have combined to make her the bean ideal of one of Mozart's most charming creations. In face, person, and air, in every tone, look, and gesture, she is the captivating little flirt whose kindness of heart serves as an excuse, to the audience as well as her lover, for the giddiness of her head. She sang her lovely melodies as artlessly, it seemed, as a nightingale would warble its un- premeditated lay; but how much art lay beneath this apparent art- lessness for nothing evinces Patti's artistic cultivation so much as her power to give an air of spontaneous impulse to her most finished execution. This ease and freedom of manner, with her fresh, youthful voice, gave a charm to her singing in this part beyond what even a Ifalihran or a Persiani were able to reach. The house, crowded almost to suffocation, was excited to the utmost enthusiasm, and her principal airs were encored with acclamations. By this per- formance, we mast add, she set at rest a notion which some critics have entertained, that her forte is brilliant execution and florid em- bellishment. In this music there is neither room for brilliant execu- tion nor florid embellishment. The airs are as simple and unadorned as national ballads; yet it is in them that she has been most suc- cessful in delighting every ear. In this performance of Don Giovanni, Patti was a star in such a constellation as has seldom been seen. There was Grisi as Donna Anna, Csillag as Elvira, Faure as Don Giovanni, Tamberlik as Ottavia, Formes as Leporello, and Ronconi as Masetto ; a combination of excel- lence such as probably has not appeared in this opera on any stage in Europe from Mozart's days to our own. We have never derived so much enjoyment from Mozart's great master-work, and most probably shall never have the opportunity of enjoying it so much again; for the combination is already broken up, and such another is not likely ever to be formed.
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