The Royal Italian Opera has not exhibited any novelty except
Mario's assumption of the part of Manrico in the Trovatore, vacant by the de- parture of Tamberlik. His performance, on Thursday, might have been described beforehand by any one acquainted with his peculiarities as contrasted with Tamberlik's. Mario is unaccustomed to Verdi's music; Tamberlik has sung it much more than any other. Mario cannot utter those cries and screams, at the top of the voice, on which Verdi reties for passionate expression, and with which Tamberlik is accustomed to thrill the audience ; on the other hand, in sweetness, softness, and tenderness, he leaves Tamberlik and every one else far behind. So it was on this occasion. His personation of Maurice had less power than Tamberlik's, but more beauty ; -less passion, but more pathos ; and his defective execu- tion of Verdi's intensities was more than compensated by the grace of his cantabile singing.
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