The Sun.
London, England, 1857-10-05 00:00:00

PICCOLOMINI AND GIUGLINL

( From the Birmingham Journal. )
Wednesday evening last was signalised by the finest
concert we have listened to for some years. The scheme
was an admirable one, the vocalists in the first ranks of
their profession, and the audience, though not so nucle-
ons as the occasion merited, musical and discrituiaating
to a degree. The concert commenced with the trio from
"Don Giovanni," between the Don (Aldighieri), his
valet Leporello (Belletti), and the Cominandatore (Rossi),
sung with that aplomb and method only possible to Ita-
lian actors and singers. The duetto which followed, by
Madame Poma and Signor Rossi, was also a fine speci-
men of operatic singing, Rossi pourtraying his share with
a comic vivacity and genuine spirit so infectious that the
audience at once received its tone of eejeyment for the
night. Piccolomini and Belletti followed in the ever
fresh "La ci darem." If the charms of the fictitious
Zerlina at all equalled those of her bewitching represen-
tative, the enslavement of the dashing Don need cause
no wonderment, for never did a more fascinating little
cantatrico warble her way into the heart, of hidalgo or
grandee, cavalier or true knight, than this same cip'i-
vating chanteuse. Au enthusiastic encore was grauifully
responded to, Piccolomini appearing to enjoy the affair
equally with the audience. The prelude to the next
piece might have been very well played; very few people,
however, we imagine, heard it; the sole intere,t centring
in a quiet-looking, swarthy foreigner, whose iblack hair,
thrown behind ears, inclination to stoutness, and strongly
marked features, reminded us of Furnace; but hcw un•
like the profundities of the German singer the silvery
tones of this Italian marvel. We have no hesitation in
placing Giuglini as the very first l'viog tenor, the trumpet
clang and the vibrating sound of Reeves, and a soft,
pure, and liquid tone and charming expression peculiarly
his own—these constitute the attractions of this magni•
ficent singer. The audience was evidently not prepared
for such perfection, and the applause was unmistakeably
genuine. Giuglini quietly responded, ,and once inure
delighted the audience. He sings so easily and un-
affectedly, his voice is so equal and true, his tours de
force are so magnificent, and his cadences melt in the
air with such sweetness and purity, that we are certainly
justified, considering all his attributes, in naming bi-n
the finest singer of the day. The long and uninterest-
ing duet (from "Romeo and Juliet") by Madlies. Spezia
and Ortolani, enabled the audience to regain their wonted
calmness in time for Belletti's splendid singing of Haydn's
great piece (with organ accompaniments) " And God
said," with its fine air, "Now Heaven," &oe ; he
achieved a triumph, and afforded a lesson to some of
our native singers, his articulation was so good and his
points so admirably made. Piccolornini enchanted the
audience by the irresistible grace and abandon with
which she sang and acted " I dreamt that I dwelt," and
was again enthusiastically encored. Mad.le. Spezia sang
with effect in " Qui la voce," displaying a voice of great
compass and flexibility ; her execution, too, of the diffi-
emit passages in the cabaletta being most artistic. In
the famous trio from "Il Matromonia Segreto," fami-
liarly known as "My Lady the Countess," Piccolomini
displayed her talent for comedy the more wonderful
when contrasted with the pathetic tenderness she infused
into the mournful and graceful air from " La Figlia,"
" Convien partir." This Queen of the fete never could
have received a greater ovation in her triumphal career
than from the audience on Wednesday last. Whether
from fluency of vocalisation, stage capabilities, keen ap-
preciation of the ludicrous, or volubility of utterance,
we have never heard a more effective performance than
the "Un segro" duet, from " Cenerentola," by Belletti
and Rossi. We have already perhaps trenched upon our
space too far, but the theme is so tempting, and such of
our readers who were present will so readily find excuses
for us, and justice must be done to these admirable per-
formers, that—in short Giuglini in the nix; air, " Della
sue pace," not only ratified our previously conceived good
opinion, but if possible increased it. Should he pay a
second visit, we hope a hall full of the admirers of the
joyous science will share our pleasure. Mdl a. Spezia
should not sing " Tacea la notte ;" she is unequal to it.
As there is always a gem in every concert, so was there in
this—the duet from " Lucia ;" Giuglini and Piccolonein
commencing with the tenor solo, " Sulla tomba," em
bracing the melodious duet, " Venano te," and ending-
with the adieu of the lovers. An encore as irresistible
as it was de-erved followed, and we must say, often as
we have heard this famous piece, we never until Wed-
nesday, night perfectly realised it. Madams Puma sang
"Il segreto" well and effectively, though it is possible
to become tired even of this ; and the laughter-moving
"Papatacci " trio, superbly sung by Giuglini, Belletti,
and Rossi, brought the vocally successful concert to a
brilliant termination. The weather may have had
some influence on the attendance, but we trust, should
these unequalled artistes pay us a second visit, that
Birmingham will sustain its reputation for musical taste
by supporting them, to the fullest extent of the Town
Hall capabilities. Signor Voschetti played modestly
and intelligently, and kept himself sufficiently and
agreeably under throughout the concert.