Madame Persiani has retired from the stage. . Her final
appearance
was on Tuesday, in the character or the Countess Almariva in the Nozze di Figaro. The performance was announced- as her last, and the theatre was very full; but no parting greetings were interchanged between the performer and the audience, and her reception was just what it used to be on ordinary occasions.
For these twelve years Persiani has been one of the fixed stars of our
Italian Opera,—a " bright particular star" of that splendid constellation which is beginning, one by one, to disappear from our horizon; and she has set brfure age or decay had dimmed her brightness: Madame Persiani's constitution is far from robust, and delicete health has more than once af- fected' her.;powers; but it has been observed this season that her appear- ance as well as voice indicate revived strength and vigour. Nevertheless, she does well to retire while in the possession of faculties which make her deparaire the subject of general regret, instead of lingering till warned by altered position that retirement is no longer matter of choice but of ne- cessity.
Persiani has the greater merit ha her theatrical success, that she has owed it more to mental than to physiCal endowments. In face and person she has always been pleasing, but with small pretensions to beauty. Her figure is slight, and her delicate features are incapable of strong ex- pression. Her voice, though clear and &lea:dashes always been thin, with a tendency (when Mite least- out of order)stowiriness -and to sharpness of intonations We remember that,. when sbe.firstappeaCed here, its quality produced general disappointment, and sbe public.,got, reconciled to it only by finding it assOciated with great qualitieLas1essirtist... She had the ad- vantage of being the daughter of one of shet etest singers of his day.- Tacchinardi • to-whose instructions and trait?) ,it is understood, elle-owes- that thorough knowledge of her art which lies :enabled her so e,011100101Y LO overcome physical defects. For skill in the management of the soie.e- for the power of carrying florid embellishment to its highest pitch without the slightest infringement of tho laws of ocompositiorie-4br delicacy of taste and finials of execution, she has-never been surpassed °' and her expression,
though sometimes deficient in strength and- warintlfritis• always indleated intelligence and feeling. As an 'actress, 'ishestwaliteksseseed of kindred Thongh unable to reach the height of-impassiened tragedy,- -yet! in lighter parts, where ladylike demeanour, gayety, or tenderness, was appropriate, she left little to be desired.
In this patting tribute it is but justice to add, that during her long re- sidence in England Madame Persiani has been distinguished not only by correct perfcrmance of her professional duties, but by undeviating propriety of conduct and purity of life; and that she is one of those who as members of society have upheld the position and respectability of their profession. -
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