The Press.
London, England, 1858-06-05 00:00:00

sft.

ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA.

J,ucrezia Borgia was produced here for the first
time this season on Thursday. Great disappoint-
ment, when it was known, was expressed, that Mario
would not appear in the representation, and much
cariosity was excited by the announcement that
Signor Neri-Baraldi, a tenor from the Opera at
Lisbon, would make his debut on English boards in
the character of Gennaro. The latter circumstance
contributed, no doubt, its full share to the assem•
blage of a large and brilliant audience.
Of our old friend, Mme. Grisi, we need only say
that, although she certainly is no longer the Lttcrezia
of years gone by, she may still challenge comparison
with any living prima donna in this highly-wrought
part. She was heartily and deservedly applauded,
and here and there was almost, if not quite, her
former self. Time, which has made unmistakeable
inroads on her voice, seems to have added fresh
power to her acting.
Mlle. N. Dicke, as Orsini, seemed to give uni-
versal satisfaction, and, in our opinion, did all that
could be done to support the character by a woman,
even when possessed of a sweet and well-cultivated
voice. It is but seldom that a part which is
cast for one sex can be successfully filled by the
other, and Mlle. Didee's delicate frame and truly
feminine voice are perhaps more than usually ill-
adapted to the impersonation of a man, especially, in
this instance, of a fighting man. In the Bacchana-
lian squabble, in scene 3 of act ii., this defect was
most unpleasantly impressed upon us. It is really
quite ludicrous to hear, in would-be ferocious female
accents," M'insulteresti tu," " Mturano di Castiglia,"
and then the rude and unmanly (for he is evidently
addressing himself to a woman) reply of Gubetta,
"Scheran Trasteverino." These remarks, however,
are not at all directed to the matters over which any
artiste, having the characteristics of the fair sex,
could have control. The power of acting, particu-
larly as it is possessed by that sex, is unquestionably
very great; but we have no recorded instance before
us in which that power has enabled a woman to
transform herself into a man. We have dwelt on
this defect in the caste of Ltscre,zia, because we
think it one of considerable magnitude ; but we con•
fess that it has the advantage of relieving to some
extent the heaviness with which this gem of the lyric
drama is, nevertheless, oppressed by the very rich-
ness of its music. We repeat that all praise is due
to Mlle. Didee for bet perfect mastery of the part
assigned to her. Nothing could be more delicious
than her delivery of " 11 segreto per esser felice," in
scene 4of act ii. The second part of this aria di
bravura, " Profitiamo (Ugh anni fiorenti," obtained
a rapturous enoore.

Of Signor Neri-Baraldi we may say that if his
debut was not a great success, it was, at all events,
one of very great promise. He was, evidently, over-
powered throughout—but especially on his first

entry upon the stage—with an amount of nervous-
ness sufficient to cloud the most brilliant qualities.
He found himself before an audience so different to
that which he had left at Lisbon, that be, not un-
naturally, felt over-diffident of his powers to please.
Nevertheless be sang the " Di pescatore ignobile," in
scene 3of the Prologue, so as to merit and obtain
general applause. Under circumstances so unfavour-
able to vocal intonation, it is difficult, and, therefore,
nafair, to express a decided opinion on the qualities
of a singer. So far, h'wever, as our opportunity allows
as to judge, Mr. Gye has displayed his wonted ap-
preciation of artistic merit in the importation "of
Signor Baraldi, who appears to be possessed of a fine
Man and the feeling n.cessary to the successful use
of it. When be has acquired in3re confidence and
sangfroid, we doubt not that be will prove a most
valuable member of the corps dramatique of the
Covent.garden Opera-house. In furtherance of this
Proud artistic eud, we would venture, in all kindness,
to suggest that he should give himself up for a
while to the otttntioo of 09 drill-wgesut of ;he

THE PEE