The opening of the Italian Opera is postponed till next
Saturday ; the production of a new grand opera by a new composer, and a new ballet on a great scale, requiring longer rehearsal than ordinary. We have glanced at the libretto of Verdi's Emma. The subject is profoundly tragic, and affords fall scope for the utmost power of the principal performers, espe- cially Moriani, who plays Ernani: he is the favoured lover of Donna Elvira; Don Carlos and a Spanish grandee are his rivals; he gains the lady, but dies by his own hand, in fulfilment of an oath exacted by the grandee. The part of Elvira will be a severe test of the histrionic talents of the new prima donna, Signora Rita Borio. The ballet will have some novel and striking features: besides the thirty-six juvenile danseuses from Vienna, and two new first dancers, will appear an artist of remarkable pantomimic powers, Signor di Mattis; whose performance is likely to give a new character to the ballet. Altogether, the opening of the season is rich in promise.
Previous page
