The Sun.
London, England, 1858-10-19 00:00:00

CON7'INEN

L GOSSIP.

PARIS, OCT. 16.

"Rigoletto" was given this week at the Italian
Opera, the principal characters being played by
Madlle. de Ruda, M. Ludovico Graziani, Corsi,
Madame Nantier-Didiee, and Angelini. When an
opera has been often played with success by any
particular set of singers, those who follow are sure
to be victims of comparison. Sometimes they may
act and sing quite as well as their predecessors, but
there is a marked difference in the appearance of
the personages, another quality of voice, and an-
other delivery of familiar passages—in fact the
audience are called upon to forget a past pleasure
before they can appreciate the present new reading
of their favourite opera. We are as much creatures
of habit in music as in more material things. People
older than ourselves will not go to the play because
Mrs. Siddons and all the stars of the past dramatic
glory arc dead. There are many in England who do
not care to hear " Norma" or " Puritani" without
Grisi or Rubini. The reproduction of " Rigoletto"
at the Italian Opera-house in Paris was accom-
panied by the detraction of comparison. Two sea-
sons ago this masterpiece of the modern musical
drama was interpreted by Mesdames Frezzolini and
Alboni, and Mario and Corsi. Every one re-
members, how much like a gentleman Mario
acted the Duke ; and how, when in good
voice, he left such pleasing sounds in the ear
as occupy a place in memory. Then, we had
the accomplished Frezzolini for Gilda, Al-
boni's matchless voice for the little part in the
wonderful quartetto, and, finally, as now, Corsi,
who has made the Court Fool his own. Never
was " Rigoletto" better played and sung than by
these artists. Madlle. de Ruda, our new prima
donna, is the child of sonic northern land—we be-
lieve Hungary. She is youthful and pretty. Her voice
does not appear to us to possess strength or quality
for sustaining any long and laborious role ; she
sings, however, with intelligence. The general
impression is that Madlle. de Ruda will eventually
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Didiee is the most animated artiste on the Italian
stage, and most charmingly did she play and sing
her pretty little scene in the tavern. Corsi is be-
yond measure the best Rigoletto on the Italian
stage.

The maestro Ferrari has produced a new opera
at Genoa, entitled, " Un Matrimonio per Concerse."
It is described as being a work of considerable pro-
mise on account of the originality of the melodies.
Mercadante's " Pelagio " is being played at La
Scala (Milan), with but little success.
At the Grand Opera (Paris) a new work by F.
David is about to be produced, in which Madame
Borghi-Mamo will occupy an important role.
Meyerbeer has given in the manuscript of
a new opera to be produced at the Comique,
but it will not be brought out before his return
from Nice. The principal roles are confided to
Madame Cabel, MM. Faure and Sainte Roy.
The receipts of the theatres, concerts, and public
amusements of Paris in September last were
1,062,409 f., being 297,074 f. more than in August.
Alexander Dumas has nearly completed a
" Faust." We must say a "Faust," as there are at
least a dozen in the dramatic library already. The
work in question is to be given at the Ambigu-
Comique.
Giuglini, the tenor, is now engaged at Trieste, at
the rate of 16,000 f. per month. After singing a flew
nights for this immense sum he proceeds to Madrid,
where he is also to be paid some fabulous price. A
successful singer gets more money than a prime
minister, and is sure to remain longer " in office."

COUNTRY MARKETS.

OXFORD—OcT. 16.

There was a tolerable supply of wheat at market to-day,
with a slack trade, except for the primest samples. Inferior
sorts were quite a drug. Barley a ready sale. Oats were
a steady sale. Other grain scarcely in demand.
Wheat ..40s to 52s Oats.... 238 to 361
White .40s to 52s Beans ...42s to 493
Barley .32s to 44s Peas ....408 to 47s
Flour, 32s per sack—Good hay, £4 per ton.