16 NOVEMBER 1839, Page 11

THE THEATRES.

Tim successful debut of Miss Deem In Cis/dere/fa, has tarned the tide of the fortunes of old Pratt's', erst at their lowest ebb : great is the influx on the nights when the new "star" is visible, and lond the roar of popular applause. 'Nor is tine 'tined of diserimiliating praise, tempered by cooler judgeneet, to be withheld front the youthful debutante ; albeit qualified by a reservation as to the higher requisites of a prima donna—to which positic»), on the English stage, Mins DELCY aspires, and with pretensimie that challenge scrutiny. The younglatly, (we hear she is only yet hi Iter ts ene,) is the a ugh t ■sf Mr. ROPHINCt LACY, VIM has adapted Cement let and ether Italian operas; and :s brought forward as his pupil. She ;lees great credit to his tuition, and affords another instance of the superiority of the Italian method of sing- ing. Her voice, which e ne. he teem -el a mezzo soprano, is of extensive compass: the middle aed reeter notes are sag:etc:title, except whemi forced, and of consider:Ode and volume ; the lower tones are not of so fine a quality, and wanting in richness. Her execution is elaborate and careful, brtt neat rather than finiehed and brilliant : indeed, the mechanism of the singing- )1,,s ter is much too apparent ; and this, taken in connexion with her se; are me youth, hit:lines us to think the dant premature, notwithstending is 911UCCSS. We did not see Miss DELCY till the second night of her performance ; when, so far from manifesting any trepidation, she appeared completely assured, and de- lighted with her flattering reception ; acknowledging applause grace- fully, and indeed gaining fresh plaudits by her pleasing manner: certainly we never witnessed smith perfect ease and self-possession in so young a singer—but she is not entirely a novice, having performed in the provinces, we are told. Her vocal enunciation is distinct, and her intonation generally correct ; but occasional at- tempts to force her voice in order to accomplish mere difficulties, that were better avoided for the present, and a tendency to throw' out the full power of her louder tones, produce an inequality if not an absolute uncertainty, which is rendered more disagreeable by a guttural and dental quality of sound in some parts of the scale. With these defects, that time and matured eultivatien may re- move, Miss DEmy is entitled to stand in the first rank of English dramatic singers : whether she will attain the first place, mast depend upon the development of power:: of c.:prussin that as yet she gives no denotement of possessing. The most peeleet vocal organ is of little value without soul to breathe into its tones impassioned tenderness and heartfelt delight. Cindert !hi, however, affords little scope for these finer manifestations of sensibility ; and it woeld be doing the fair dObutante injustice not to acknowledge that t.lie captivated all hearts by her sweet smiles and pretty planner, which, if it wens only nessunc- tion, was a very clever imitation of modest naivete. Miss DELCY enunciation of the dielenne has the eedestaleing dietieetness that cha- racterized Marneree's mterenee of English : whether this be an affec- tation, or the result of Continental reeibeilee, it was mistaken by thee public for something very interesting: tee would advise its discon- tinuance, however ; at best it is only an attractive defect. We desire to hear Miss DELcy in a part wl:ere there is more play N. the emotions, and lees opporteeity for manic disulay tff execution : indeed, what she appeared to prize most we yule, d least, though the massy applauded—. for "the world is still deceived in or:tannest :" the final bravura (" Non pin mesta") was only an exhii:iiion of imperfect skill, straining at something beyond its capabilities, (1-.1., would be worthless if attained. Of the other vocalists, we can offiy praise Mr. FilA zr,:t for the pains he took with his part of the Prim.e. The music is quite beyond the capacity of English stage-singers in seeneral ; and it eould not be ex- pected that such RS 1.1,:yrum and Monixr, however respectable as English musicims, should cora, :lee lyith I..s in..tcitt: and. TAMEURTNI: yet their buffonnery might be snere.l. The chorus is neither strong nor properly drilled: but the 1.,ted eIIVC, awl played well under the

leadership of Mr. feet ...ewe V s, against time introduction of nese et' eaeoe 'different dancing,

the Tyrolean and other :L1.

:

that only prolonged the nes's a i aeel] : the libretto is tire-

some enough. The °penile!, :;e of the end the eowatein rising

is very beautiful, and the tree L :.! ions of 11,e fairy tale are adroitly

managed ; but the spleneour Ile. Prince's ball ntleght he advan-

tageously heightened. We hm nii'l lif /t OM it a word of praise to Rut- BOND for his pleasantry as the servoin