An English version of Donizettrs Anna Bukna was produced at
the 'Princess's Theatre on Tuesday, for the &bat of Miss Bassano. This young lady, originally a pupil of the Royal Academy of Music, was enabled, we 'understand, through the munificence of the Queen Dowager, to proceed to ;Italy for the further cultivation of her vocal talent; and, after her return from that country, where she remained several years, she appeared with -considerable distinction at the concerts of last season, and acquitted herself with credit at the late Birmingham Festival. We wish she had chosen for her first appearance on our musical stage something better than Donizettrs weak opera done into English after the fashion now prevalent. To have the masterpieces of the foreign schools brought upon our stage, notwith- standing the detriment they suffer by the process, is good in one re- spect: they improve taste both behind the curtain and before it, and stimulate the efforts of cur native composers. But the French and Italian trash, with which our theatres have been for some years inundated, has totally opposite effects. We can remember the time when we had English music and English singers: now we have neither. Considering Miss Bas- sano's musical education, she had probably little choice in the matter. At 'our national conservatory she could learn, as a singer, very little save modern Italian music, for little else is taught; and in Italy, her course of study and practice (whatever benefit she may have derived in regard to style and execution) must have been equally limited. She performed in some of the Italian theatres; and it was easy to see, on Tuesday night, that the part of Anna Baena was not new to her. Her gifts of nature are con- siderable, and have been cultivated. Her mezzo-soprano voice is mellow, strong, and flexible, and she shows shill in its management. The truth of her intonation indicates a good ear, and she evidently possesses taste and feeling. She has yet to acquire the quietness, polish, and smoothneilh, which time and experience alone can give, and which they never fail to give when good natural gifts are joined to a superabundance of youthful energy. On the whole, we have great hopes of Miss Bassani), if she will endeavour, by her own efforts, to break through the trammels of a narrow education.
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