THE ITALIAN OPERA.
WE certainly do not "progress" here. The start was good. The opera was DONIZETTI'S, to be sure; but it was new; and we re- .garded it as a sort of peace-offering to the fashionable world, who had begun to take alarm at Mr. MASON'S original prospectus. Then came Otello, of which we had heard quite enough last year; and the poor Contessa LASIZE, of whom we shall hear no more. On Saturday, the Barbiere, almost as badly performed as it was last season ; and on Tuesday, Elisa e Claudio. This is a poor opera, of course; for MERCADANTE is a feeble writer, a gleaner rather than a composer. There are two duets (" Claudio, ritorna," and "Se un istante"), which have somehow or other found their way into the schemes of concerts ; but the opera does not contain a song worth hearing. Under all these disadvantages, Madame DE MERIC contrived to give us no inconsiderable pleasure. Whatever she has to do, is done with energy and good taste. She can lay no claim to great rapidity of execution ; but the charm of her intonation makes us ample amends. She never ventures out of her depth, and therefore never fails. Signora ALBERTINI is a .very commonplace personage: her voice is not pleasing, and her tune often imperfect. VINCENZO GALLI played the Marchese; and, with MARIAN!, rendered the duet " Qui fra voi non veggo testa," which is the best thing of its kind in the opera, amusing enough.
Previous page
