The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1835-01-20 00:00:00

THE ITALIAN-I}PERA.

•
The Maequis De Muti Papazurri, nobleman, has
for some mouths past been engaged in makiug- preparations for
opening the Theatre-Royal with an Italian opera company. In
order to insure the undertaking a greater degree of success, the
Mayor, Bailiffs, and a great number of the principal families
• in Liverpool and its immediate vicinity subscribed for a series •
of twentv4our performances, the first of which was given last
night. The dress circle of boxes was nearly full; but, from the
number of family patties we saw there, we should suppose that
they were for the most part the subscribers to whom we have
alluded. The pit was also respectably filled, as were the upper
boxis.
The piece selected for the occasion was Rossini's tragic:
opera of " Otello." The characters were thus disposed of :
Otetlo, Signor Deval; Desdemona, Madam Kvntherland ; El-
mire, a noble 'Venetian, the father of Desdemona, Sa,nor
Marani ; Rodrigo, Signor Torre ; logo, Signor Boisragon ;
Emilia, Madam Castetli ; Doge of Venice, Signor Galli.
It is at all times a somewhat disagreeable tusk to sit in
judgment upon the professionalmerits of those who come among
us as strangers and exert their inmost powers terwin our appro-
bation,
and more particularly when we are anxious to foster
every species of talent that. is likely to impart a greater degree
of refinement to our public amusements, which operates so
powerfully upon our manners in private and social life. '
Hence, we regret the more that the performance of Madam
Kyntherland, upon whom so much depends as the Prima
Donna, was altogether a failure. We are willing, however,
to hope that her fulaire efforts will be more successful. In the
concluding scene where Othello in a fit of jealous frenzy stabs
her, she exhibited sery considerable powers as an actress. Deval
is already too well known to need any lengthened commentary
upon his singing or acting—both in truth were excellent. Bois-
ragon teas equally happy in logo. He possesses a good bass voice
which was heard to great advantage in several of the airs belong-
ing to that character. Martini was altogether out of his element as
-a noble. Venetian, indeed we should as soon have thought of giving
the part of Coriolanns to Liston, of Paul Pry notoriety. Signor
Torre as Rodrigo was absolutely unendurable. The-band was
admirably arranged by Herman, the leader. This department
is we have no hesitation in sai ing, 'more perfect than the one
which was so much admired' last season. The flute of Mr.
Browne, the clarionet of Mr. Leonard, and the violoncello of
Jackson were very beautiful in several parts where obligato
passages were assigned them. The overture, in consequence of
the admirable manner in which it was performed, was encored.
The dresses were appropriate, and some of them were very
splendid. The stage business was well conducted, and great
judgment was shown in the grouping of the attendants, which in
some of the scenes produced a fine effect. The chorusses -were
also well led, and very effective.
A tragic opera of three acts requires something to relieve it;
that something is a. ballet. The manager of the opera company
must we think be satisfied, by' the attendance of last night,
that the public of Liverpool is prepared to support him in his
undertaking, and that he has only to deserve success to insure
it. Cesari is, we' understaud, engaged, and will shortly make
he-rappeara nee iisoste of hernld.eharaoters.
Owing to the great length or the-opera, notwithstanding 'the
omission of several scenes, the performance did not close until
nearly twelve o'clock. Shortly after the whole company ap-
peared on the stage, and sang the good old national:anthem—
" God save the King !" The audience, as is usual on such
occasions, stood up, but we did not observe au. particular
inauifestation of popular feeling.