The Press. — London, England, 1855-06-02 00:00:00

PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED. BOORS. A Digest of the Evidence on National System of Education in Ireland. Rev. William Le Pour French, 1).1). Dublin : Curry and Co. French Mercantile Law. Davies and Laurent. Effingham Wilson. View of the Slate of Europe. 11. Hallam, LL.D., F.R.A.S. Three Vols. Vol. I. Murray. A Treatise on the Administration of Trust Funds. John Darling. Stevens. The Annotated Edition of the English Poets. Robert Bell. J. W. Parker. Monastic institutions. Samuel P. Day. Longmans. Glaucus; or, the Wonders of the Shore. Charles Kingsley. Macmillan and Co. The Omnipresence of the Deity. Chapman and Hall. An Account of the Life, Opinions, and Writings of John Thomas Keightley. Ditto. The Louvre; ur, Biography of a Museum. Bayle St. John. Do. The Sanctuary. A Companion in Verse for the English Prayer book. Robert Montgomery, M.A. Do. Cranford. The Author of " Mary Barton." Do. PAMPHLETS. cossack Rule and Russian In fl uence. Ridgway . he Key of Knowledge. A Sermon. E. Girdleatone, M.A. Hatchard. Bosworth. Do. A Few Words on Paper, Flax, Hemp, je. The Navy Lie and the Navy. I'EMODICALS The Arl Journal. Virtue, Hall, and Co. Margaret Atollland of Sunnyside. The Parlour Library, ' CXXV. Hodgson. Itusit. ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA. IT is difficult to account by any means except phre nologically, perhaps, for that intense love of appro bation possessed by actors and actresses which induces them to reappear " positively for the last time," after having once definitively retired from the stage. It is generally allowed that there is no more wretched existence on earth than that of a retired man of business, and few live any length of time to enjoy in listless ease the fruit of a life of active em ployment. Even with all the advantages of educa tion and wealth the time hangs wearily on hand. " What do I like best in the world?" said Sir Astley Cooper to himself one day, after a few months of indolent misery. "My profession," was the answer. "Then," said he, "why on earth should I leave off that employment which gives me the greatest delight ?" And so he returned to practice. Thus it is with professional people of all castes, from surgeons to singers.ltis the "only one drop more" of the dram drinker, the "only one more operation " of the surgeon, the "only one more song" of the singer ; and it is as much, if not more, of this feeling, there can be little doubt, which has induced Grisi to forsake her seclu sion, and once more appear before the public, than any persuasion or terms which managers could offer; and her audience have received her precisely as sn audience would, who remembered antecedent retire ments, and were not unprepared for a one more "last appearance" of the favorite for twenty years. Though not enthusiastically, she has nevertheless been warmly received upon each occasion of her appearance ; and as her really last appearance draws nigh, we doubt not but that the enthusiasm of the people will even surpass the display which will be long remembered by all who were present at her benefit last season. To say that her voice is as sweet and as fresh as ever is comparatively true, but it is far from being as strong. For the last four or five years it has been apparent to some people that Grisi's powers were to a certain degree failing in detail, though in the tout ensemble of her role she was Still unsurpassed. In a magnificent burst of passion and pathos she would eclipse any previous weakness which she had shown, and carry the whole house away with her; but it was evident to a few that she reserved herself solely for these grand points in the character, in languidly slurring over the earlier part; and as it was, so it is. In Leonora last week, and in Norma this week, in the grand points and most impressive scenes she both sang and acted in a manner which, in Leonora particularly, surpassed any previous effort. Never before was heard such exquisite pathos in her notes—never seen such perfect acting ; but it was an effort which required the utmost care and nursing in the earlier part to sustain : and herein is the want of that physi. cal power which we remember so well in earlier days, and which we regret to see passing away, inevitably perhaps, but still passing away, and which makes us hope sincerely that nothing will tempt Grisi again to risk her reputation and the impression which is felt of her power by any further reappear ance. There is no greater mistake in the world than for actors and actresses to return to a stage which they have once quitted, and not only to risk their reputation by the presence of rivals, but also, and more fatally, by a failing physique, which refuses to allow them to sustain their role with all their looked for fire and energy. There is, nevertheless, this plea for Grisi, that she has only done what every THE PRESS. 'one more or less has repeatedly done before her, and with this advantage, that her inconsistency will perhaps be more easily forgiven as she is by far the greater favorite; but we repeat, iu common with the very general opinion of all her old admirers, that we hope she will never be tempted to appear again. Her wealth is ample , her reputation unsur passed, and the intense interest and admiration felt in her success is just now drawn out to such extreme tenuity as will bear no further strain. In the three representations which she has already given, two of Leonora and one of Norma, she has, on the whole, achieved fresh successes. In the moonlight scene of the Favorita her acting and singing, on Saturday night, may be summed up in a word—it was per fection. When she heard the clear voice ot Ferdi nand rising above the solemn strains of the organ, the intense emotion with which she uttered " Qual voce ! e lui ! " and in a moment sinking to the lowest despair, adding " Perdute l'ho per sempre!" was given by Grisi with such exquisite tenderness, such inspired expression, such marvellous power, as quite eclipsed all previous efforts. The utterance ef that single line was sufficient to stamp her fame for ever. But the whole of the scene was not less perfect—tile acknowledgment of her love, her reconciliation, and her death, was, in the words of a contemporary, "such a masterstroke of art., or perhaps impulse of fine genius," as we shall not look upon again in the days of this generation. In Norma, on Tuesday night, although some little of the fire and brilliancy of former years was wanting, yet in the great trio which closes the first act she threw such intense dramatic expression into her part as carried the house away with her at once. The " Casts diva," " Deh conte," and " Qual cor tradisti," were given with much of the old sweetness of tone and superb declamation to which we have been so long accus tomed. The audience were less cold than on the Leonora nights, and Grisi was twice recalled before the curtain. Of the other characters, both in the Favorita and Norma, we must speak shortly. Mario, as Ferdinand, never sang the " Angiol d'amore" more sweetly expressive than on Saturday night, and has never been heard in better or stronger voice. In Norma Mdlle. Marai, as Adelgisa, sang with care and effect; while Tamberlik, as Pollio, was as successful as this great singer always is, in whatever character he undertakes. On Thursday evening, after a long absence, Signor Tamburini once more appeared upon the stage. Don Giovanni was the opera chosen, and perhaps for this reason, that without Tamburini this chef d'auvre of Mozart could not be brought out. Tamhurini has made the character so essen• tially his own, that nobody else can be found to either succeed or supersede him. For the last twenty years there has been but one recognised Don Giovanni; and what we are to do when in the course of time Signor Tamburini is removed to — we hope a better place than that bottomless pit to which Mozart and the libretto periodically consign him —vie cannot even surmise. Upon his appear ance Tamburini was very warmly received, and if in the " Finche dal vino" we were doomed to admit that the fine barytone voice which so often has delighted us was almost lost, yet in the elegant grace, activity, and truth of his acting, Tamburini was still unsurpassed—nay, more, unequalled It is singular how many attempts, from those of Ronconi downwards, have been made to impersonate the character of the Don, and every one of them, with out exception, failing. Tamburini is essentially a gentleman; his acting is thoroughbred iu manner and deportment—he is a libertine, but a highly refined man nevertheless. Refinement and liber tinism of the Don's quality are more nearly related than the world would readily allow, and hence the failure of all Tamburini's followers they invariably represent the Don as a vulgar, coarse minded "gent," rather than the polished noble. There is a wide distinction to be drawn between unrefined and sensual vice, which Tamburini thoroughly corn prebends. His acting, as we have said, was on Thursday night as perfect as ever, but his voice has failed, a loss which we must expect, and which we willingly overlook, since we can find no other singer to dispute the palm with him. Of Mme. Bozio's Zerlina we cannot speak too highly; she acts the character thoroughly true to nature, and her singing of those exquisite morceaux, " Batti, batti," " Vedrai carino," and in the duet " La ci darem," was really perfection. She was in all warmly, and in "Vedrai carino" enthusiastically, encored. She has made the character of Zerlina entirely her own henceforth, for a more pretty and engaging modest little wife has not been seen upon the stage. Her by-play was perfect in the scene of " Batti, batti." Lablache, as Leporello, was very forcible, but a little too ridiculous in the last scene ; while Mario, as Don Ottavio, sang the " Mio tesoro " with more exquisite pathos and sweetness than he did seven years ago. The character of Donna Anna was supported by Mme. Rudersdorff, upon a very short notice, and her singing in the trio of masks was very fine. SATURDAY ) Mdlle. Marai was an effective Elvira—a most un gracious part, but vary carefully and correctly sus tained by this rising sinter. The house was crowded, as it always is when this favorite opera is performed. Her Majesty and Prince Albert honoured the per. formance with their presence. To-night It Trovatore will be repeated, and on Monday night an extra performance will be given, upon which occasion Lucrezia Borgia, with a powerful cast, will be per formed. PHILHARKONIO SOCIRTII.—The folloyring is the programme of the seventh concert of the season, which took place on Tuesday night : PAIIT I. Sinfonia lu G minor (MS. composed for the; Phil harmonic Society) Potter Aria, " Questi avventurierl," Herr Yonne§ (IL Seraglio) Concerto, violin. M. Sainton Siciliana, Mile. Bonitoltz Faleoni ... ... Pergolesi Overture, "Leonora" PAST Ile Sinfonia in A minor, No. 3. Resit. J " Crudelo!" t Mlle. Bohkultz lealconi Aria 1" Nun mi dir" I (Don Giovanni) 1160 it. I " I rage!" [cherry" t Herr leurtnes (Aois Aria A" 0 ruddier than the I and Galaws) Overture, " Berg-geist" Spahr Conductor, Herr Richard Wagner Mr. Potter's work was, on the whole, very ably per formed, under the direction of Herr Wagner, and Beethoven's concerto afforded M. &down a great opportunity for displaying his appreciation of the highest beauties of music, no less than his mastery over the tA,chnical difficulties of violin playing ; and, whether considered with reference to mechanism or sentiment, his performance of this noble work merits almost wiqualitied praise. Indeed, if we except a somewhat defective intonation of the difficult octave passages in the first movement, which might have arisen from the influence of the very warm atmo sphere upon the strings, there was no fault to be found in his execution. M. Sainton's delivery of the whole of the slow movement was beautiful, and there was not a tinge of vulgarity in the rondo as he played it, though many even of our most celebrated violin ists contrive to render this quaint and capricious but gniceful movement coarse and grotesque. We cannot award the same amount of eulogy to M. Saintou's cadences which we have given to his rendenug of Beethoven's notes, hut they were ingeniously con structed to show off the capabilities of the instrument, and for the i most part brilliantly executed. The authors aim was evidently to produce tours de force, and he succeeded; but they appeared misplaced in connection with such intellectual music as that of Beethoven. M. Salmon, however, was enthusiastically applauded, and finally quitted the orchestra amidst hearty cheering, in which the band took part. The performance of Beethoven's Leonora and Mende's solin's symphony was in both cases singularly un equal. Herr Wagner faded in his direction of these two sublime conceptions. As a conductor he is, as we stated upon the first occasion, deficient in steadi ness ; whimsical and impulsive, his readings of par ticular passages are so capricious that the orchestra find it impossible to follow out the erratic concep tions of their director; and hence arises a want of unity between the two, which impairs the effect of the music, and destroys the feelings of the audience. If Herr Wagner would be content simply to express the meaning and purpose of the great composer whose work he may happen to direct, as a leader of an orchestra he would be unrivalled; but when he seeks to imprint his own wild fancies upon the per formance of the works of men as superior to him in genius as he is inferior to them in talent, he not only destroys his own reputation as a conductor, but he inflicts no small injury upon their reputation as composers. The vocal music was admirably sung by Mlle. Falconi and Herr Formes. The room was very fully attended. HAYHARKET THEATRE.—Miss Helen Faucit made her first appearance, after a long absence, at this theatre on Monday evening, in her celebrated cha racter of Pauline, in The Lady of Lyons, in the performance of which she fully sustained her former fame ; indeed, it had the unusual advantage of satis fying expectations which had been raised by a vivid recollection of its original freshness. The Claude Alelnotte of Mr. Barry Sullivan failed, as all succes sors of Macready have done, in portraying the in tensity of love, and the refined enthusiasm of the part. Mr. Chippendale, as Colonel Dantas, realised the intention of the author, and proved a most effi cient support to the piece. Mrs. Poynter, as Widow Melnotte, was also excellent; and Mr. Howe must not be forgotten as Beauseant. Mr. Barry Sullivan was called forward at the end of the third act; and, at the conclusion, Miss Helen Faucit was greeted with cheering and other well-earned demonstrations of success. The house was numerously attended. FRENCH PLAYS, ST. JAMES'S THEATRE.—A short series of French plays, et Des Matinees Recreatives et Comique, will be given at the St. James's Theatre by Mons. Levassor, commencing on Wednesday next, June 6. •