'TALI/S1:7 OPERA.
ON Tuesday night La Cenerentola was performed, in order to introduce Signora A I.CERTAZZI in the principal character. It often happens that when a performer of moderste abilities is about to appear, the morning papers teem with puffs ; and as we bad not observed a similar heralding of this lady, we anticipated the appearance of one who needed not any such endeavour to propitiate public approbation. Nor were we dis- appointed. The most fastidious critics must have been more than satisfied with Signora ALBERTAZZI'S performance. She possesses every requisite to form an accomplished singer. Our first impression was that her voice was a rich contralto, but its compass seemed gradually to extend, until it reached the brilliant quality of a pure soprano. Nor was any part in this extensive compass weak or defective. There was no break or uncertainty from top to bottom, but every portion of her voice appeared equally and alike at command. The character of La Cenerentola, it is true, exhibits only one style, and the sole opportunity it affords of display occurs in the finale: but enoush had been shown in the progress of the opera to remove all doubt or hesitation as to her ability to encounter this, which is undoubtedly the singer's most arduous effort. " Nun piu mesta," is, in fact, whatever the sieger chooses to make it ; and, fami- liar as it now is to every audience, there is sonic difficulty in imparting to It any novelty. The composer has only furnished the outline—the pic- ture must be finished by the singer, who is expected to invent as well as to execute a succession of new and brilliant passages. The most correct execution of what ROSSINI has written would be regarded as an absolute failure. This diffieuty, as well as every other, was en- countered with apparent ease, and conquered without an effort.
Signora ALBERTAZZI, as we learn, is an Englishwoman ; but her training we guess to be exclusively Italian. In no respect does she betray her British origin : her pronunciation, action, and manner, bespeak an acquaintance with the Italian stage, and with Italian masters alone. Whether she will equally excel in other styles, we shall wait with some impatience to see : at present we can only speak of her tone, compass, and execution. The other singers have been so often before the public in the same characters, that we have little to add to our former commendations. Nothing can be more finished than the singing and acting of TAMBURINI and Lam...wits in their respective parts. The applause bestowed on the debutante was as universal and cordial as it was merited.
Previous page
