Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-08-20 00:00:00

THEATRE ROYAL.

"FRA DIAVOLO."

Last night there was a tolerably full house to see
Auber's popular opera " Fra Diavolo" in an Italian
dress. Additions have been made to the original score to
suit it for the Italian stage, which have been grafted on
the original stock wi th cut any juncture being discoverable.
The principal of there additions is a bravora:for Zig/at ip
the second act, brilliantly executed by Madame Bodo and
some ballet music at the commencement of the
third. What music could be heard was admirably sung
in spite of the disappointment apologised for before the
e
opera began. Mad'lle Parepa was suffering under
severe attack of sudden cold, and indulgence was asked on
behalf of Mad'lle_Nantier Didiee, who had at short notice,
undertaken to read the part rather than the opera should
be changed. Apology was scarcely needed ; for in all
the essential parts, Especially in the first act, she sang and
acted with the greatest ease, and a dramatic effect equal,
to the other performers—and that is saying a great deal
but the performance throughout was rather the broadest
comedy than opera. Roneoni as Mi/ordo, as comical ne
Liston ; Tagliafico as Beppo, wonderfully.
.mado up ; and
Zelger as
-Giacomo, less disguised but not less character-
istic, kept the house in a roar of laughter, which pre-
vented a great deal of the music being heard. This was
especially the case in the bedroom scene while Mdlle Rosiet
a charming Zerlina, was undressing and singing. As a piece
of acting, Zelger, Tagliafico, and Gardona, in their peeping
from the closet were equal, if not superior, to anything
ever seen on any stage. We are quite at a loss to under;
stand the London critics on Gardoni's " want of spirit'
in " Fra Diavolo." Last night he looked, acted, and SX9B
the character better than any one we have seen for aloog •
time. Signor Neri Baralda made a very good Beigadieri'
and was encored in his solo at the commencement of the
third act. When we havo to complain of the composer
destroying his own music by the laughable situations i°
which he frequently places his characters, we can
scarcely complain of the audience following such a°
example, in the absurd custom of " receptions," to which
we referred yesterday. But last night the receptions of
Madame Bosio and Msd'ale N. Didiee occurred in the middle
of concerted pieces, and were more uproarious thau O'er;
We must again lilt up our hands against it, as really en I.l'
compliment to the singer, and a complete destruction of the
illusion admirers of the opera wish to keep up, and whfall
is also the object of the singers themselves. To-night,
Madlle. Victoire Balfe appears in retina, in " La Sohne°l-
- and unless Aladlle. Parepa's illness should nocensl."
tale an alteration, " L'Elisir d'amore" will be compeerse''
into one act for her and Signor Neri Baraldi.

THE AmpfirrnEATßE.--Mr. ;Barry Sullivan took 111:
benefit last night, and, as might be expected, had a Of
house. He played Claude Ifelnotte, in "The Lady °
Lyons ;'' and William, in " Black Eyed Susan."

MISS BALFE.—Some years ago—we need not atteoo-
- recollect how many—when this lady was a mere girV
she took part in a concert at the Theatre Royal, Belfast'
On her turn arriving to sing, she exhibited so Inue°-
nervous trepidation that, for Mlle little tihae, her ticaidil
prevented her facing the audience, till, being encourage,
by one and another of the artists, includingthe vetera`i.
Hobbs, and Mrs. Lennon.
,(nrevioubly Miss Cassidli e
Liverpool) she suddenly exclaimed, " Faith the life's out
of me," went on th.tt stage, sang, and pleased so much 00t
she was encored. This was her Debat.