The Express.
London, England, 1859-11-08 00:00:00

211 OPERA AT PARIS.

At the Italian Opera (writes the Paris corres-
pondent of the rat) fiessiesmide continues to be the most
succeefill opera yet produced this season. Petro and Alboni,
and a new Mae (K. Menly), are admfrable la their respec-
tive roles. LUMINA takes the trace's part, which suits him
admirably. K. Menotti, the director of the orchestra, may
rest emceed that his exertions to get together a more efficient 1
chorus than wears mtherslly Smeared with have been crowned
II with the utmost saner, whilst the band I. now In thorough
working order. Madam. Pasco la now enthroned se the ee-
riest of the Thieves Italian; we earthly hops to get a'
prima donna who shall approach her, either in art or voice.
What we want le • tenor in the place of Mario. Oardoei,
all the world admits, is a careful singer who does everything
with good taste, but he seldom gets beyond the ear of hie
audience—he rarely reaches the heart. The same may be
said of that magnificent voice which Alborg emplop a with
such rare skill. In our &ye the public demand
dramatic excelleacte—eomething to move, to recite—
le the lyrical artist. If they do not feud it
the opera goes off coldly—at least such is the case
in Paris. Thus Bigoletto. a few sights ago, was a per-
feetfliuse. because, although very respectably sung with
Oarciooi as the Duke, and Grazithi ea the Court Foul, there
was no one to approach Frezzolini, Mario, and Corsi, each
of whom was so excellent in their respective Wes Ilia; they
gave a life and reality to their respective characters. Last
sight the immortal ,Barbo. WAI produced, chiefly again to
Introduce Modems Borati•Maino, who has deserted the
Greed Opera to return again to her native Dalian stage. She
was greeted most enthusiastically by a crowded houee,
The same finished singing, the same rare voice, both as
regards sagest sod quality, charmed the audience, who here
fa Paris are always in a humour t, be pleased wheni listening

to the delicious matt of 11 Barbitrr di Seoiglia litad;M:
Dorghi-Manao, In the singing IMOD some, introdumad •
Neapolitan spirited trifle called Sonia Lucia, which, how-
ever, did not meet with such *nooses as might have been
ezpecied. Mitchell as the barber, Zucchini as the guardian,
and °ardent as the aristocratic lover, made a respectable
net, but nothing more. At the Grand Opera Madile.
Voptiaii contin•ee to attract in Romeo et Juliette. Her re-
markable dramatic power and impugns personal sppearanoe
are perhaps more appreciated than her perceptive *Owing.
This lady kabala to appear In Herculaneum, and will take
the pate gesigully lately tilled by Madams Borghi-fdamo.
At the Opirsi Cat•iga we are again invited to bear Le
Naos do Burma{ with Faure, Sainte-Foy, and Madame
Marie Cabal. The Lyrique ctdl condoms to attract with
Lie Nam di lif env, admirably played by Meillet and
Madame Miolen•Carvalho.

DRAMA.

GRECIAN.

For the first time during four years her Majesty's
servants at the Grecian had charge of a play In blank verse
yesterday evening. The author, Mr. John Ilerstid, had ori-
ginally written it in five acts, but managerial exigency sub-
'equally required that it should be cut down to three ; and
in three acte—or chapters. as they were celled—it wee pre-
seated to the discriminating public of the Cityvoad and its
surroundings. It is entitled Agnolo Dews ; on Defies
Resentsee—Agnolo beiog a monk who, in early life, bad taken
edvantage at a temporary relaxation in the law of clerical
celibacy and had married. His wife died shortly
after, leaviog with him sn only daughter, who
is named Veronica, whom he brings up with all
the care and secrecy required by her peculiar position. After
some time he is appointed tutor to the two eons (one illegiti-
mate) of a Count Bimini, and one of these young gentlemen
falls in love with the monk's daughter. The other becomes
hia brother's rival, end has an additiosal cause of hatred
against the latter In the fact that the Count, his father, had
mode no dietiectioa on account of the bend sinister in the di.
vision of his property. He plots uriectrief, end calls to coun-
sel a foppish Cardinal, who has else Lilkto in love with the
fair Veronica. A false charge is trumped up against Pietro,
the bastard, upon which he is condemned and thrown into
the Castle of St. Angelo, and Veronica nod his mother,
Bianca, are hired thither by the Cardinal, who
gives them facilities for procuring hie **cape.
They succeed in liberating him, but are waylaid by the Car-
diaal and LuigL the kgiumate soma the Count. The monk,
who has missed his daughter, gone to seek her amid the ruins
of the Coliseum, and hearing a scream rashes to her recce
end bring, her in Willing en the stage. During hie abeam*,
as it sulteequently appears, he had stabbed Luigi, whilst
Pietro, in attempting to escape, had been overtaken by the
Cardinal, and had plunged his sword into the body of the
latter. He la re-arreeted, the dead Lady of Luigi is found,
and the illegitimate eon is charged with the murder, and,
finally, condemned to death. Meanwhile the mock, coax:lone
of having Polled human blood, beotorree Inrenc, and ie carefully
tended by hi, daughter and Bianca. Is his delirium ha
lets drop weeds which convince the latter that her eon be in-
nocent, and that the monk has been the slayer, and she im-
pions him to do an act of justice by disclosing the truth.
Alter a struggle he recovers hie intellect, and Con.ol2ta, end
the piece concludes la the pleas of execution. Pietro etude
before the block, the executioner beandisbee his axe, when
the frantic meek mime in, tella the true story of the death,
with all the exhausting circumstances, and the priest in
aces dance promises to procure his pardon front the rope.
Pietro sad Veronica join heeds, and the cartels fate is a