The Sun.
London, England, 1846-06-08 00:00:00

DRURY LANE THEATRE.

Flotow's opera of Stradella, which has been recently
creating a furore in Germany, was produced, for the
first time, before an English audience, at this theatre,
on Saturday, Benedict having adapted the composition
of his countryman for the English stage, and to which Mr.
Bunn has written an English libretto. The story of Ales-
sandro Stradella, one of the most celebrated Neapolitan
musicians of the seventeenth century, has been recorded
by almost every writer of the history of music, and; is
doubtless known to most of our readers. To revive
this remembrancy of the incidents of the romantic ad
ventures which forms the groundwork of the plot of
the opera, it may be as well, perhaps, to quote Mr.
Bunn's own account of it as given in his preface to the
libretto. Speaking of Stradella, he says :
" Though not handsome, he was distinguished by the
symmetry of his form, and especially recommended by
the blandishment of his manners. Baying been engaged
by a Venetian nobleman to instruct a young lady named
Hortensia (who, despite ht. r family rank, had submitted
to the stigma of being that nobleman's mistress), Stra-
della so fascinated his pupil, that what began in intrigue
ended in matrimony, and the lovers—once united—fled
immediately to Rome. They were tracked to that city
by two hired assassins, who overtook the fugitives in the
Church of St. Giovanni Laterano, and there determined
to carry their design into execution, at the conclusion of
the evening service, and under vantage of the shadow of
evening. While watching fora favourable moment they
heard Stradella sing, and were so subdued by the charm
of his voice as to confess the crime they had meditated,
and their determination to Abandon it.

" The intended victims immediately retired to Turin,
where, while under the protection of the Duchess of
Savoy (regent at the time), Stradella received three
wounds in his breast, even in her very palace. They,
however, did not prove mortal ; but the revenge of his
enemy was untiring, for on Stradella retiring to Genoa,
where he was engaged to write an opera, the assassins
pursued the unfortunate musician to that city, rushed
into a chamber of his dwelling, and stabbed both the
lovers to the heart."

The author of the opera has not continued the ad-
venture to its tragical termination, but judiciously con-
cludes his drama with the confession and repentance of
the assassins, over whose "savage breasts" music had so
miraculously exercised her powers:—The cast was as
follows : Stradella, Mr. W. Harrison ; Bassi, the
Venetian nobleman, Mr. Weiss; Barbarino and Malvolio,
the two assassins, Messrs. Burdini and Stretton; and
Leonora, Miss Rainforth. After an overture of very
pleasing and somewhat original character, and which
proves that Flotow is a skilful musician, the curtain
rises, and discovers the exterior of the palazzo of
Bassi, by moonlight. In front of the palazzo are
Stradella and his friends, serenading the Lady
Leonora. The piece commences with a chorus
admirably executed by the singers. Then follows
a recitative and air, by Stradella, and then a
very pleasing serenade (not over excellently sung by
Harrison) and chorus, and then the lady appears in the
balcony. In this scene occurs by far the most beautiful
morceau of the act, a Notturno, " Over hills through
vallies wending," sung by Miss Rainforth and Harrison.
Miss Rainforth, who was in excellent voice, sang this as
she sang all the music which was allotted to her in the
opera, with exquisite taste and beauty. They are inter-
rupted by a band of masquers (for it is carnival time)
singing a lively chorus, and " fiddling, fluting, dancing"
is the order of the night. They recognise Stradella,
agree to assist him in carrying off Leonora—the lovers
fly, and Bassi, who attempts to pursue them, is
hustled and jostled and laughed at by the masquers,
and at length compelled to reenter the palace.
enraged and disappointed. The scene of the second act
is Stradella's villa, near Rome, whither he has succeeded
in escaping with Leonora. The act opens with a de-
lightful aria, "Be witness to my young heart's dream.
ing," which was exquisitely given by Miss Rainforth;
then follows a quaint chorus of peasantry, with a bell
accompaniment, between the parts of which occurs a
duet between Stradella and Leonora. The two assas-
sins dispatched by Bassi to murder Stradella now enter,
and on these worthies rests what, for want of a better term,
we must call the "comic boisterous" business of the opera.
They quarrel at first; but immediately they recognise
each other and become acquainted with the true state
of affairs, they proceed in the most business-like
manner to devise a plan for the safe and speedy execu-
tion of the job which they have undertaken. Invited by
Stradella to share in the nuptial festivities, they drink
and make merry, and by way of contributing their
share towards the general amusement, sing a capital
drinking duet, "Fill to the brim of the bowl, the bowl,"
which was so admirably sung and acted that it elicited an
unanimous encore. Stradella sings a romance, " The
world with which our fate we link,' descriptive of, and
apologetical of the life of a brigand; which, together with
his hospitality, so completely overcomes the savage
nature of the assassins that they forswear their pur-
pose, and Stradella is saved by the power of music.
This romance is a most effective composition, full of
beautiful melody, and the choral accompaniment
is (most artistically managed. It is certainly the gem
of the opera, and was deservedly encored. The third act
opens in the same villa, when it appears the assassins
have domiciled themselves with Stradella .and Leonora.
The act opens with a beautiful song by Stradella—
"Oh Italy, my native Land," the melody of which is
peculiarly graceful. Bassi, however, soon arrives to in-
terrupt the domestic felicity of the villa. He seeks out
Barbarino and Malvolio, whose virtuous resolutions give
way before the sight of gold. They are themselves again,
and Stradella's doom is sealed. A fine terzetto occurs
in this part, which was very well given, and was encored.
Stradella enters, and the assassins prepare to win their
reward ; but again music triumphs. He has just com-
posed a hymn to the Virgin, and commences rehearsing
it. The assassins are spell-bound by his voice, and
at the conclusion they rush towards him, fall at his feet,
and dropping their daggers, confess their crime, and sue
ror the pardon of their intended victim. Bassi, now
finding it is useless to contend against fate, steps forward
and gives his consent to the union of the lovers. The
scene changes to the front of St. Peter's, where a mag-
nificently harmonised, full, and:massive chorus concludes
the opera, and saves it from the condemnation which
would have been its fate bad it concluded with the
hymn to the virgin; for, strange to say, that what ought
to have been the gem of the opera, inasmuch as upon
the exquisite beauty of its music everything hinges, is,
without exception, the most tame composition of the
whole. Would it not be possible to recover the original
air composed by Stradella, and substitute that for the
" Hymn to the Virgin ?" The concluding
chorus, however, carried the opera
at r i u
fm p h a ndl
through, and, albeit, there were
sentients, yet they were a "miserable minorietyw," and
their protests were overwhelmed by the loud applause of
a densely crowded house. As a whole the opera of
Stradella is a pleasing and graceful composition ; its
melodies will, many of them, become popular, and the
opera itself will always be a favourite. Like the Bohe-
mian Girl, even after the run is over, Stradella will be a safe
card for the management to play, at intervals, for ten or
twelve nights for some seasons to come. The performers
were all honoured with the usual oration at the
fall of the curtain. The mounting of the opera is
magnificient—gorgeous costumes, splendid scenery, and
superb decorations prove the lavish manner in which
Mr. Bunn has gone to work in the production of
Flotow's chef d'ceuvre. Never has any dramatic piece
been put on the stage in a more effective manner. The
ballet of Paquita, with Carlotta Grisi, concluded the
evening's amusements • and with Stradella and Paquita
Mr. Bunn will bring his season to a triumphant and de-
servedly profitable conclusion.