The Sun.
London, England, 1863-05-29 00:00:00

SIGNOR FRICCA.

In the present state of our Italian stage, the
advent of a new and superior bass is become one of
the desiderata that the musical world is most aware
of. Since the retirement of Lablache we have had
but one artist of this class who has attained to any
eminence, and the last year or two has attested that
his power is declining. However we may regret,

it is perfectly useless to disguise the fact that Herr
Formes is not the singer he was some six seasons
ego, and just as idle is it to suppose that his place
is to be supplied by executants of such limited range
as Herr Zelger or Signor Vialetti. The need of a
duiy endowed successor is becoming daily more
apparent, and more especially when we consider
the important station that the bass occupies in
modern opera, serious and comic. Of ic Der
Freischutz," " Robert the Devil," "Fidelio,"
and other important works, he almost forms
the central feature ; and not inferior is his
position in " The Barber of Seville," " Don
Pasquale," and several kindred illustrations of the
gayer side of the lyric drama. A new bass, there-
fore, who would justify the revival of some of these
operas which, for want of him, have been lying on
the shelf for so many seasons, could not fail to be
regarded in the light of a great acquisition. We
are inclined to think that such a gain in a tragic
respect, at least, was presented to us last evening
on the boards of the above theatre,
Signor Fricca, who made his debut as the Puri-

tan soldier of the Huguenots, won, on a variety of ,
grounds, a very marked and deserved success.
Whether in respect to the demands of history, or
the conception of the author and composer, we have
never seen this important character so entirely em-
bodied. It is one of those impersonations which
stand apart in one's experience. To this end Signor
Fricca is endowed with unusual qualifications. To
a voice of remarkable depth and fullness, and a style
of the justest taste and feeling, he unites a dramatic
fervour which has been most artistically developed;
and he adds the advantage of a person which is to the
last degree commanding. Singularly tall, for he
stands at least some six feet three inches high, and
broad and well made in proportion, he towers
above his associates like Saul among his brethern,
and yet such is his artistic feeling that all his move-
ments have an ease and naturalness that never for
an instant attract the eye from the central figures
of the scene. The marking distinction of his
Marcel, in a dramatic point of view, is the
deeper devotion it exhibits to the welfare
of his master, which both morally and
bodily to puritan eyes, is so much endangered by
its surroundings. To the more obvious characteris-
tics of a mingled hatred and contempt for the
pleasures as well as dogmas of his Catholic an-
tagonists, he adds the stronger feeling of the peril
they embrace and threaten to the being of all
others that he loves and respects the most. Through-
out the opera accordingly, and more especially in
the second act, we see him with his eye never
diverted from his master and his tall form glid-
ing about him like some gigantic guardian genius.
In all musical respects his merits are quite as emi-
nent. The religious fervour, the martial vigour,
and the personal devotion that we have referred to►
and which rises in the last act to such a height of
paternal tenderness, we need not say, obtain in the
opera the most masterly expression, and in
every instance are responded to by the powers
of Signor Fricca. Whether in the bluff vigour
of hid " Piff-paff," the stern anxiety of his
share in the noble duet with Valentine, or the pa-
thetic dignity of his sanction to the union of the
lovers—it was hard to say—that Signor Fricca was
most successful and impressive. We can only re-
peat our conviction, that he has every claim to he
regarded as a great gain to our lyric stage.

As a whole we have never seen this opera more
admirably performed. Madlle. Titiens was in un-
usual voice and spirits on this occasion, and more
than confirmed the evidence of her wholly un-
rivalled claims to the position she now occupies
as the queen of prima donnas. Voice, person, pas-
sion, knowledge, were here combined to a degree
which made us feel how little capable was the best
praise we could utter to do justice to her merit
8•
noble music with Marcel was never more PeZ.
given. But still grander and more delightful /1:115
the effect of her great duet with Raoul, 'ile
whether in respect to force or tenderness, we We
never heard so sung as on this mess°.
Signor Ginglini is fully entitled to share
her honours in this effort, every phase (If
which he marked with the utmost power as well 0
delicacy. Of the merits of Madlle. Trebelli in the
Page, of Mr. Santley in the Count de Nevers, an
M. Gassier in St. Bris, and of the noble deliveri °f
the choruses, from the first scene to the last, we can

only repeat our old eulogia.
Iced
The house was very full, and the audience mar—
their satisfaction by the loudest demonstrations
recalling Madlle. Titiens and Signor Giuglini tlvi°

on the conclusion of their great scene.

ST. JAMES'S HALL.

Mr. David Fisher, whose " Facts and Fancies'
have been for some time in favour with the public,
has now transported his amusing entertainment to
St. James's Hall. The true history of the TWO
Gentlemen of Verona, the Story without an End►
and Mr. Jenkins's Sensation Drama, follow i 0
laughable succession. In the Story without an End,
written by himself, Mr. Fisher sustains no less thall
five different characters, three of them each with
song, and one with a violin solo. Some idea of the
vivacity and versatility oi these " Facts and Fancies'
may be gathered from this ; but Mr. Fisher doe.
not trust exclusively to his own talent for the
amusement of his audience. A new and attractive
feature in his entertainment is the appearance of
that brilliant and charming singer, Miss Roden,
whose recent successes at Windsor have attracted,
so much notice. It is not the first time the lady
has been heard in St. James's Hall, and we hope
it will not be the last, for she would certainly
prove a valuable addition to our summer concert
season. Miss Roden sang the famous old air of

" Cruel Barbara Allen," and " The Bailiff's
Daughter of Islington," from Chappell's Popular
Music of the Olden Time, with her usual correct-
ness and expression. Madame Juliana Heinke
was the pianists, and played some of Thalberg"
Fantasias. Those who wish to pass an hour Or
two pleasantly away, should avail themselves ‘
this entertaining combination of " Facts anu'
Fancies."

THE EUROPEAN ASSURANCE SOCIETY.— '0
annual meeting of the above society was held 1e0"
terday, Mr. Wickham, M.P., chairman of the comp I''
presiding. A most satisfactory report was presented by th
directors, and unanimously adopted. It stated that the 0;
venue on new policies in 1862 was £14,476 7s. 4d., and the
tho premium revenue had increased from £22,245 in 1854 t°
£133,163 in 1862. The balance of receipts over expenditure
was £31,117, and the assets have been increased by £67,461,;
The guarantee business of the society had largely increase'
during the year, and the advantage of combining life soar,:
ante with guarantee were daily becoming more extensive,'
appreciated. The life and guarantee claims paid during II
year amounted to £70,494 Bs. 9d., being within the actuaria
expectation of the society's risks.
THE SUICIDE OF MR. SWANBOROUGH.—Yestier:
day, the ladies and gentlemen constituting the dry'
matic company of the Strand Theatre. together with al;
employ6m of that establilnent, were called together f'
apprised that in consequence of the melancholy suicide es
Mr. H. V. Swanborough, sen the late lessee, their service
• the
will no longer be required. Thus sadly and suddenlYr
e_
little
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obtained
THE MACLACHLAN CASE.—The papers
er
by Mr. Stirling, M.P., with respect to this case!dloWtrial
isrued yesterday. They include the proceedings the
of Mrs. Maclachlan, at the Glasgow Criminal Court;a before
statements of witnesses taken by the procurator fiscal 1°
state-
the sheriff relative to the preparation of the prisoners._,ore
ment; notes of the statements of witnesses examine Del
mined Mr. G George gt eh e
rYoung,roeura
taodr vflosccaatie; before
the witnesses
sheriff;
not
ments, furnished to Mr. Young, although they_t7l,o,
re-examined by him ; and, lastly, a letter fromix,llw. c 73. the
to the Home Secretary, explaining the manner e
evidence given before him was taken.