The Sun.
London, England, 1862-06-02 00:00:00

SIGNORA FRICCI.

The French journalists now in London in connec-
tion with the Exhibition—who are enlightening
the Parisians day by day in regard to the barbarism
of England, and who, from the point of view that
they adopt, may be called the Philosophers of Lei-
cester.-square !—have got to explain how it is that
London, at this moment, has five times as many art
exhibitions open as Paris, and almost twenty times
as many permanent musical institutions. Setting
aside our sacred harmonic societies—which are
wholly unknown across the water—we have asso-
ciations, vocal and instrumental, which illustrate
every field of music, and are yearly filling the me-
tropolis with some of the most accomplished ama-
teurs and skilful executants in Europe. In addition
to this, we have two operas, presenting, with the
sole exception of Alboni, the highest lyrical talent
known to and accepted by the world, which, amply
as they are stored already, are week by week drawing
to their centres all the rising musical power, whether
of Europe or America. At each theatre on Satur-
day night there was a highly successful first appear-
ance, and, if we may rely on their respective pro-
grammes, this is an incident that will soon become to
us just as familiar as it is agreeable. Another im-
portant circumstance is, that singers all but un-
known, or who have won only the most moderate
recognition in their own lands, come to Lon-
don, and leap at once into a European re-
putation. This was the case with Mdlle.
Patti, and may be it is very possible with the
new singer et Covent Garden. If these
facts, among a thousand others, are to be
considered as evidences of our barbarism;
then, in the profound bliss of our ignorance, we
may safely conclude, with Gray, " That 'tis folly to
be wise ;" and be quite content, with Dogberry,
that our Leicester •Square philosopher should
" write us down an ass !" Signora Fricci, who
made her debut at the Royal Italian Opera on Sa-
turday evening, in one respect at least is a decid3d
acquisition—she has a very superior voice.
Making every allowance for her nervousness
in such a character as Valentine, and with

the knowledge that she was displacing in
it such an artist as Mdlle. Csillag„,to whom Mr.
Gye assigned it in his programme at the opening of
the season—we could see no evidence of dramatic
power in her to place her on a level with that lady,
nor of dramatic and vocal power combined which
entitled her for one moment to be named with Mdme.
Titiens. Nature has bestowed on her neither the
mental or physical gifts to such an end. Never-
theless, in voice itselt, nature has been liberal
enough to her. She has a very clear and sympathetic,
if not full or resonant organ, of great range and flexi-
bility, and a very even amount of tone. She has also
thorough cultivation, and, in the various and arduous
music assigned to the heroine of the " Huguenots,'
executed the chromatic passages as ably as those of
earnest feeling. Her first good impression was
made in the solo of the duet with Marcel, " A h

l'ingrato d'offesa mortale," in which the beauty o f
her tones, combined with her depth of feeling, ob-
tained an instant and decisive recognition from
the audience, the whole duet being so effective as
to obtain her a recall. Her execution, however, of
the still finer, and rrinrp impnrtant (Mat
with Raoul, which almost stands alone in the
modern lyrical drama, was scarcely so meritorious,
though obtaining her in like manner the honour
of a summons. It wanted the volume both of
voice and heart to which we have been so much
accustomed in it. Nevertheless Signora Frieci,
like Mdlle. Patti, has the great advantage of
being young, and it is impossible to say what a
few years may do in the way of strengthening
emotion as well as tone, seeing that she sets out
with an organ that is just as fresh as it is ex-
cellent. Another enjoyment of the evening
was the admirable condition of Signor Mario,
who was never in better voice, and sang
and acted with all the vigour of a dozen years ago.
His Belta Di Gina had all the sweetness, and his share
in the septett all the chivalric spirit which have
made their delivery so much his own. His share
also in the great duet was no slight source of its
effect. Of the Marguerite of Madame Miolan, the
Urbain of Madame Didiee, the St. Bris of Monsieur
Faure, or the Marcel of Monsieur Zelger, the merit
is too well known to require a moment's eulogy.
The band and chorus were quite as faultless, and
the entire production of the opera exhibited all the
perfection that distinguishes this house.

HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

MONS. NAUDIN.

The continued illness of Signor Giuglini, and the
inability of Signor Armandi to replace him in any
fashion, gave peculiar zest to the success of the
new tenor at this theatre, who made his debut on
Saturday evening in the character of Manrico.
Mons. Naudin, who, we believe, sang in London a
few years since, has a very clear and agreeable, if
not very powerful, voice, which he manages for
the most part with great tenderness and skill. His
delivery of the finale to the third act roused the
audience to enthusiasm, and his "A the morte"
had a pathos which sensibly affected them.
During the course and at the close of the Opera he
received a very hearty demonstration. Another
attraction of the night was the " Conte Da Luna"
of Mr. Santley, who, much to the strengthening of
its ranks, has carried his talents to this theatre. He
was received with great cordiality, and sang with
all his usual excellence. His "It balen" especially
roused the transports of the house. Of the Leonora
of Mdlle. Titiens, we have only lately discoursed
in full, and have only to add that on this occasion
she renewed her claim to all our eulogies. The
band and chorus were in excellent order. The
house was very full.