The Sun.
London, England, 1857-08-12 00:00:00

THEATRE ROYAL-ITALIA OPERA.

The early closing of the two rival opera houses of
the metropolis has afforded to our manager an op-
portunity of commencing his brief season of Italian
music before the usual period, and consequently of
extending it, we presume. Be that as it may, the
theatre presented a goodly artay last evening of our
musical amateurs, and with them many strangers,
who have come to see the wonders of art in another
direction. The operatic troupe of the occasion is
that attached to her Majesty's Theatre, under the
direction of Mr. Lumley, including a number of
vocalists whose names are Hew to the Manchester
public. Among these are Madlle. Spezia, Madame
Poma, ' and Signor Giuglini, who, with Signor
Beneventano, were the leading voices in Verdi's
"Il Trovatore," the piece selected for the opening
last night. This opera has placed the name of

Verdi Much higher in the estimation of the English
musician, than any previous production with which
he has favoured us. Extravagant as some portions
of the story may be, it nevertheless is so skilfully
adapted as to excite and sustain the general inte-
rest, while the composition contains several beauti-
ful and characteristic melodies, occasionally good
part-writing, and, thow4tt somewhat overloaded
with noisy instrumentation (the great mistake of
Verdi), it is less offensive in this respect than some
of his previous works. It leaves a favourable im-
pression, and hope for future improvement. The
" Tacea la notte," for instance, is a brilliant and
graceful air. There is something very dramatic in
the one sung by Azucena, " Stride la vampa I"
The duet, "Tin memento," is pleasing, as is also
the baritone melody, "Il balen," whilst there is a
graceful charm about "Ah ! si ben"—and many
other portions are equally worthy of note. Madlle.
Spezia possesses a voice of rather peculiar character.
It is unequal, or perhaps it would be more just to
sfimanyeertehiant notes,
ti
rt istit
sfvuaplroieewxdep
rriensosqvi
one
nra i
ittnyh
to.
eaWufadietiihelni
tmeyeaenfconsist
tys-
in g characteristic tone to particular passages, than
in mere sweetness or fulness of organ. It is like
true emphasis and artistic modulation in the read-
ing of a skilful elocutionist. Some of these notes,
a t
by their consistent management,
shave have a very strik-
ing
until the effect,
f fe
c t,
style ocasbieocnoaml ley; pe
familiar, p '
bu a little harsh,
very telling
when the artist is fairly understood. Indeed,
Madlle. Spezia is a true artist in the best sense of
the word ; not only in the mere skill of vocalisa-
tion, but in those higher qualities of art which are
in relation with feeling and intellect. We do not
remember to have witnessed a finer display of lyric
art than in the last act, where with the "
orridatorre," joined to the "Miserere" and the "Ah!
the la morte," the composer has presented so fine a
scene of dramatic interest. Signor Giuglini came
to London at the commencement of the present
season, and has shown that sterling talent requires
less blowing of the trumpet than we are apt to
suppose. His first appearance was in "La Favo-
rita"—there had been little said about him—there
were no three-column articles preceding or follow-
ing his debut, but his position could not be shaken;
his fine violine tone of voice, his graceful style, so
thoroughly free from exaggeration, and the occa-
sional touches of pathos which he contrived to
throw into his singing, won rapidly upon large and
interested audiences, and we believe it is very long
since a more legitimate appreciation has been ac-
corded to a comparatively unknown artist. In the
earlier portion of the opera Signor Giuglini ap-
peared somewhat out of voice, but he rapidly gained
upon his audience, and in "Ah ! si, ben moi,"
fairly " won his spurs." This brought a vociferous
encore, and the gratification was fully maintained
in the air frnm the tower. The whole of this last
act was a triumph. We regret the inability to saa,
much that is favourable of Signor Beneventano.
His voice seems rarely to be under his entire con-
trol—it is loud withouth • ric ness of tone, and be
appears to prefer breadth of effect to delicacy and
truth of expression. With all his faults, and they
are not a few, bis careful attention to the business
of the performance redeems much that is unplea-
sant, and is well -worthy of note. Of Madame
Portia we have little to say ; the part of Azucena
does not appear suited to her quality of voice,
which is rather a mezzo than a contralto ; nor does
the lady indicate that artistic faculty demanded in
a character which the highest vocal genius on the
stage had made her own.—Manchester Examiner.

ROYAL MASONIC INBTITIITION.—Yesterday morning
there was an imposing gathering of Freemasons at the
Royal Masonic Institution, Lordship-lane, between
Hornsey and Tottenham, the occasion being an inaugu-
ration fete, under the presidency of the Earl of Z~tland,
the grand master.
DEATH BY DROWNING —Yesterday afternoon an in-
quest was held at the Regent's Tavern, Canal-road,
Bow, on the body of Thomas Haigh, aged 56. On
Saturday deceased attended an inquest as juryman at
the London Hospital, which he left about six in the
evening. Nothing was heard of him till Monday even•
ing, when he was found dead in the Regents's Canal.
Verdict, " Found dead in the Regent's Canal."