The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1820-04-06 00:00:00

:DRURY-LAIVR THEATRE.

•To the admirers of harmony, this Weise presents,
od powerful attraction lest night in the opera of
Artaxerxes, supported by a rare combination of
vocal skill and talent the bill containing the.
names of BRAMAY. IRCLEDOR. Madame Vaireatto
Miss CAREW, and Mrs. BLAND. The ionic ape
propriated to *bates, in this piece, by so mean&
afrwils Mr. BRAIA!" GO opportunity of shriving to
full advantage the various unrivalled powers of song
*with which nature and art have• gifted him. It is
said that Dr. Aims was moved by • tenderer pas-
mon than that of professional fame. in composing
this opera. and that to engage all hearts with
Malaise (the laity who first. performed that
part having afterwards become Mrs. ARNE), lie
lavished all his scieuce and genius on it, to
the prejudice of some of the other characters,
and particularly that of Arbaces, where the con-
tract would be most perceptible. Mr. BEAHAte'S
genius. however, like the aichymist's. pretended art,
can refine and convert into purer metal the rough-
eat ore ; his efforts 'hewed how much the moat
unvalued materials can advance in richness and
beauty when moulded under the hands of the skit.
flit artist. Miss CAREW sustained the part of
Maniknie. We on a former occasion noticed in
termauf warm and most justly-merited praise this
Ladi's execution of the pan at the Lyceum, and
we have since seen no reason to be more sparing of
our approbation. Her singing last night was fall
of grace, delicacy, rod expressive tenderness. In
the fine inspiriting air of " !At Soldier tied,"
perhaps it were to be wished that her voice had a
little more strength ; but be that as it may, it was
enthusiastically encored. Mr. INCLEDOR resumed
his old character of Artalrarses. This distinguished
favourite's voice appears to be equal in strength
to what it ever was. but a fiunidiuus critic would
possibly discover that in nicety and fineness of
intonation, it was slightly impaired. it would
he the height of injustice. however, not to add.
that his exertions were most successful, and that
lie was heard throughout with the most profound
pleasure. The principal novelty of the evening was
Madame VESTRIS'S first appearance in the charac-
ter of Artaxerxes, the result of which did her infi-
nite credit. Madame VESTRIS'S singing conveys
in one respect a peculiar enjoyment to her audi-
tors; her notes flow -with suck apparent este and
absence of effort, that the pleasurable sensations
which they excite are never diminished by a sense
of the pain their production coots. Her execution
was smooth, clear, chaste, strong, and expressive in
the highest degree—the richest of melody, exalted
by thee infusion of the deepest sentiment. Every
stanra, previous to the catastrophe, conveyed the
sense of internal anguish, and marked the work-
ings of is noble soul torn by the struggle between
paternal duty and the claims of friendship. The
accompanying action was judicious and graceful.
The performance excited the most lively admira-
tion. and was honoured with repeated and general
plaudits. It has unquestionably added a new laurel
to Madame VisTßls'S reputation. All the cha-
racter' of the opera were filled with great ability.
The re-atinouncement of it by Mr. ELLISTON was
loudly cheered.
In the comic sketch of Blue Devils, which sac.
merited; Mt. COWELL appeared for the first time
this" season. as Joints, and pourtrayed the honest
rustic's character sad feelings very correctly.