Star.
London, England, 1820-07-21 00:00:00

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ENGLISH OPERA HOUSE..
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Last night a new Operatic Drama in three acts,
with new scenery, machinery, dresses,, and deco-
rations, called Woman's Riddle was pro-
duced for the first time. The principal characters
were thus represented :
Duke of Milan - - Mr. RowsouLtst.
Count Vitaldi - - Mr. Ittzst.rr. *
Casario - - - - Mr. Piaui/Jr.
Duchess of Mantua - - Mrs. W. S. CuArriaz.zr.
Princess Clementine - - Miss Kite.
Isabel - - - - - Miss C.kassr.
The Duke of Mantua has left the disposal of his
daughter's hand, by a former marriage, to the
Princess Clementine, his widow. Her choice falls on
the Duke of Milan, who loves the Princess, but is
secretly- oved by the Lady Isabel, her cousin. The,
heiress of Mantua, however, has fixed her affections
on Ccesario, a youth who, it seems, has little else to
recommend him but his good person and qualities.
The Duchess feels a rooted-hatred for Cresario, and
by way of. deterring him from persevering in his
suit, proposes a riddle for his solution, the expound-
ing of which, if undertaken, is to bring success to
his hopes, while the alternative, more dreadful than
that proposed to Portia'iwooers, is instant death.—
This enigma, so big with. fate, runs as follows :
Richer, pooref, humbler, higher,
What does woman most desire?
Be it good, or be it ill, •
What is woman's constant will?"
Cersario travels much, and puts questions to every
one of female kind he meets, to arrive at the inter-
pretation of the mystery, but in vain. Meantime
the Duke of Milan has arrived at Mantua, Clemen-
tine promises fair, and preparations are made for
their immediate nuptials. But when the priest
waits to unite them at the altar, it is discovered
that the lady has disappeared. The haughty suitor
thinks hintself slighted, denounces vengeance, and
leads an army, to the gates of Mantua. The fair
authoress of all this mischief having dived into
the puzzling secret, meets• Cce.saiio in various dis-
guises, feeds his hopes, and acquaints him with his
danger —a price having Been set on his head.—
He enters the battle unknown, encounters and van-
quishes his • proud rival: an accommodation is the
consequence, and the Dukc engages to marry Isabel.
—The Princess, in the. guise of a witch, accosts the
conqueror after this victory; urges him to go to
Court to claim the hand-of the Princess, prei•eliting
at the same time a roll, which Com:tins the solution
ofilihp problem. He consents, promising, in case he
is saccessfirl;* to grafst any request his benefactiess
may prefer ; undertakes the exposition. of the riddle
in the presenee.of the Thichers, finds it set forth in
the roll, and • makes' the true answer, that it is
.0 to
have her will:" The Prancess, however,. is not dis-
covered, and the avittli appearing, requires the ful-,
filment of his prornise—hcr peremptory demand be-
ing to be made the wife of Ctesano.- ,The Ductless
compels the exe,tr.i-)n of the •engagement, the mar-
riage:is solemnized, the old woman throws off her
mask, . and the transported husband finds.his Clemen-
tine in:his arms. Count' Vi4ildj, a pompous, puncti-
lious courtier, and Corvinee a. glattqnous, co A a d. y
steward, or major-domo, are-under-agents in work,
ing out the plot, but co tribute greatly,- particularly
the latter,.to its power.Of amusing. But the chief'in-
terest depends on the passion between•Ccesario and
Clementine, and is supported- by the circumstances
that obstruct or advanciits gratification, particularly
the intcrviews in -whith the Lady appears in the
successive disguises of a milk•maid, . the mistress of
the milk-maid, a gipsy, and a witch, still encou-
raging or warning her unsuspecting admirer.—
These situations afforded Miss KELLY a fine oppor-
tunity for the display of her unrivalled talents,
which she availed herself with her accustomed skill.;
The Overture and ma.,ic are composed by M...
Davr, with the exception of two songs by Mr. 1312'
DAR, of Ilath ; they are very pleasing in general,
and sometimes highly beautiful. The vocal part of
the music fell almost exclusively en Misses KELLY
and CAREW, and Mr. PEARMAN, all of • whom tx-,

erred themselves with the utmost success, and re-

ceived, each is turn, the tribute of general applause.
The were encored in a Trio in the first Act. Mrs.
CuaTrEßLETperlormed her part in a very dignified
and Spirited -manner. ['Arum( was extremely cri-
verling; he gave a comic song, one of Mr. Manua's,
withikfinitehumoun and was obliged to repeat it.
Mr,.PEAtumAsplaycd Cleitll7o feelingly. Mr. BAPIT-
LEY'and Mr. ROWBOTHIANI acted their respective cha.
faders respectably, and the Piece was generally very
well supported in the representation. The Epilogue
possessed a good .deal uC point and humour, and was
excellently delivered by Miss KELLY. We Dramas
however, is spun.out to rather too great, a length,
and might be curtailed advantageously; Their are
some very handsome and well-executed new scenes,
introduced. A large and elegant audience mani-'
fisted their pleasure and admiration very frequently;
the curtain Aropped, and the Piece was given -Gut for
repetition amidst a succession of plaudits. Too much
praise cannot be given to the Manager for the very
liberal manner in which the Piece is got up.
The following Song was sweetly sung by Miss
CAftEw, and highly applauded :
It was at the noon-tide hour,
A Lady reposed in a bower ;
Where, shaded between
The branches of green,
Blossom'd and blush'd a fair flower ;
Not a pinion was mov'd, nor a breeze was heard,
As with curious hand the Lady stirr'd
The leaves of this unknown flower!
She saw in its cradling bloom
A Cherub with folded plume,
And a bow unstrung,
And arrows were flung
O'er the cup of this op'rting flower;
And the Lady fanci,:d she much had need
Of the light of his wakening eyes, to read
The name of this unknown flower!
She 'shed it too near to her breast,
And the Cherub was charm 'd from his rest ;
Then he winged a dart
At the Lady's heart,
From the leaves of this treach'rous flower:
Ah! cruel childr said the Lady, " I guess,
Too late, that Lore in Idleneu
Is the name of this unknown flower!"

• Mr. KEirris arrived at Edinburgh, and apparently,
perfectlyreccniered from his late severe accident.
Mr. VANDENHOFF, of Liverpool, has not, as re-
posted, entered into any engagement with either of
the Loudon Winter Theatres.