The Sun.
London, England, 1851-06-06 00:00:00

ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA.

The continued and chronic hoarseness of poor Sslva-
tori has produced, as far as the subscribers are con-
cerned, one good effect; it has secured for them one
more season of Tamburini. The great barytone has
been induced by the management to forego his intended
Italian journey, and to resume his place at the Royal
Italian Opera, where ho made his debit last evening,
in his old character of Don Giovanni. He was in ex-
cellent voice and spirits, and acted the Don in the true
spirit of gentlemanly recklessness, which renders his
Don the first on the stage. Grisi, as Donna Anna, was
magnificent; and Tamberlik, as Don Ottavio, dkeated a
sensation which will not easily be forgotten. Ie under-
took the character at a short notice, in consequence of
the illness of Mario, and the indulgence of the audience I
was requested; he, however, achieved a triumph greater
than has ever been achieved in that character. We ex-
tract from the Times the following critique on last
night's performance:—
The re-appearance of Signor Tamburini last night
was an event of twofold importance, inasmuch as it
restored to the theatre a dramatic barytone, of
which it has been greatly in want since the commence-
ment of the present campaign, and was the means of
bringing Don Giovanni before the public for the first
time this season at the Royal Italian Opera. The house
was crowded to suffocation, and we understand some
hundreds of persons were sent away from the, pit, unable
to find standing room. Signor Tamburini 's reception
was of the heartiest kind, and his performance of Don
Giovanni, in which character he has no rival at present
on the stage, presented all those salient qualities to
which it owes its celebrity. The profligate nobleman,
with insinuating manners, imperturbable effrontery, and
daring courage, was portrayed to the life. The courtier-
like bearing of Signor Tamburini in the scenes with
Elvira and Donna
With
his bland persuasive-
nessit
in the duet Zerlina,
"La ci darem,'
his reckless shamelessness in the confiden-
tial interviews with Leporello, and his haughty
demeanour, in the final rencontre with the statue, were
as forcible and apP ro riate as ever. Though the r,vages
of time may be traced
l)
in the voice of Signor Tamburm!,
which has chiefly suffered in the higher notes, there is
no evident falling off in the taste and spirit of his sing-
ing, and the encores that followed the drinking song
and the serenade testified to the genuine effect he pro-
duced upon the audience. In short, the successor cf this
accomplished artist, in the arduous part of Don Gio-
vanni, has yet to be found, and until he be found we
have reason to be well satisfied with what we have got.
The great novelty last night, in the execution of Mo-
zart's chef deeuvre, was the unexpected appearance of
Signor Tamberlik in the part of Don Octavio, a circum-
stance explained in the following circular, which was
distributed in every part of the house:—
The directors have extreme regret in announcing
that in consequence of the severe cold under which Sig-
nor— Mario is suffering it is not possible for him to sing
to-night. The indulgence of the audience is, therefore,
respectfully requested towards Signor Tamberlik, who
has at a very short notice most kindly offered to perform
the part of Ddn OttaVio." ' •
The immediate feeling was one of general disappoint-