The National Register.
London, England, 1814-12-04 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL REGISTER.

DRAMATIC REGISTER.

ROS

clouded. The Sultan immediately invokes the King qr the
Genii, whose attendants seize Nora, whom lie only recog-
nizes at the moment she sinks with them into the eat th. A.
voice then informs him that the Ninth Statue is in his power:
he returns to the subterraneous palace, and finds Nora on the
pedestal. The King oft/he Genii then appears a sec►'nd time,
surrounded with ministering spirits, and tells him that 11 per-
fect woman is more precious than gold and diamonds. The
piece concludes with the nuptials of the lovers.
In such a canvass, splendour of scenery is more requifit*
than delineation of character, or excellence of dialogue.—
That the latter should be plain, provided it do not sink into
'absurdity, is. therefore, all that can be expected, and all that
will be found in " The Ninth Statue.'' The introduction of
the Irishman was probably meant to enliven the piece, an in-
tention which, notwithstanding johnstone's execl!ence, has
not been completely realised. The heaviness of the first ac•t
is, however, considerably relieved by the bustle of the se-
cond. The music with which it is intersperitd is pleasing,
and the overture tasteful. Both, with the exception of two
Irish melodies, arc of Mr. Horn's compost ion. But the
chief merits of this piece consist in its scenery. On this nis
expence seems to have been spared ; and in point of novelty,
grandeur, and effect, it equals, if it does 'not surpass, the
richest wonders that any Theatre has yet displaed.
The "Ninth Statue" was received with boundless applause,
and maintains its popularity.

On Wednesday last the Opera of The• Bride, gave
us a fresh opportunity of observing the improvements which
have taken place in Mr. Brahath's style of singing and
acting. Ills voice possesses all its original haTmonv, flexi-
bility, and power. It is, if ary thing, clearer than ever, and
his taste has decidedly improved, or, at least, has burst
through the shackles of popular ;.,rejudice, and begun to
serf its own superiority to compliance with the wi,lies of
the multitude, he had pith, rto.quite oyet powered the sim-
plicity of his songs under a crowd of ornaments which were
executed with so much delicacy, elegance, and skill, as to
seduce the ear into half adprob.o ion of what the judgment
rep,oved. When the impropriety of this practice was re-
presented to him, we understand, he fairly acknowledged. it,
but urged, whilst he lamented, the bad taste of the public.
which lavished all its applause on these brilliant faults, whilst
the most beautiful melodies were heard without any expres-
ei:or of satisfaction when sung in their native simplicity.
This reasoning, which was but too long well founded, is
now nolonger so, and the delight with which Mr. liraham's
chastened execution was listened to ou Wednesday last, will,
we trust, encourage bin to perrevere in the exquisite style
which he then adoptec Feeling breathed through all his
notes, and purer harmony never stole upon the car of mat:.
Yet, though his execution was simpler, the powers of his
voice were not cher ked, they only were better applied, and
never produced more efTect. as the rapturous applause which
be received amply testified. Ilut it was not merely as r singer
that lie claimed aporohation. He has now thrown oft all his
for mer frigidity ()faction. His dialogue is no: animated,
but occasionally, and where it necessary, emphatically so.
His gestures are appropriate, Lod his cou•oennore is become
the mirror that 3 effect: the affections of !,e s ti within. At
the moment when he revealed himself 0; his oere lions and
exclaimed, " Yes, villain, I :on Coror cl it wit%
such a burst of energy.; ,• and cloouence of 1.. ,k 004 g-vo re as
would not have surer ‘ed to, i r •)ne of on. tlist tral.;ie perk
formers. lle really elec., 'chit the • •U tri this passage,
as well as in many other. of the drjs . is t xr.....ence was
• crowned with rewarding plaudits.