The Statesman.
London, England, 1824-01-26 00:00:00

I Nli'S THEATKIL
" Bell aura di pace,
" Al nembo socceda."
The Italian Opera opened on S.torday to the fashionable
world. The fame of Rossi Nt(of whom we spoke last %reek),
and the eel billy of those person; who are under engage-
ments with the al tine manager, Mr. BENFLLI, were calcu-
lated ro excite considerable attention. It being the law
evening of the week, the doors were opened at so early an
hour as six o'clock, when we never experienced so ilifficul
a task as to obtain an entrance to the pit ; the check-
takers were obliged to use repeated calls for the
aid of officers; the doors were their,. closed ; rank.
gentle and simple, were alike disregarded, and be who
could gain a seat earliest for his doly was considered to
he the most fortunate adventurer. Hence, in a short time,
this part of the theatre was excessively filled; the stir-
rctrildal
the
I yionb 3
eft
citltleioe
of
larhirrehiers
seater::
trn:tivir
sttotr.expectationsoh,::edr
.
reuniting boxes were distinguished by an illustrious ilts-
h
phe seemed
had
Rossioedf quality,
a eNr t
appeared
1
.th
e their
seats parnedil eficoeussro—rst.hFeourisaez frit.
than the audience rose; they were eager to catch a glitniote
of the modern musical genius, and to patronize the eminent
sutiticncieverosr
tthoeMpoilenezi ;ails
AliToDok
with becoming modesty, returned his grateful oheisat.ceond
the overture, a scientific composition. succeeded with ..1.1.1.
table execution. A similar yet mote enthusiastic feeling, if
possible, followed. The celebrity utile') Zelmira had
acquired on the contient, gave tin opportunity for i's bring
performed in this country, snbjerz, of cowrie, to a few
adaptations. To give a more complete account of this
opera, which is in two acts, we extract from a translation
the plot, with the characters as they were east on our wit-
nessing their first illustration onSaturday night.We are e,i4
there reigned in the island of Leib° an exrellent Pi ince,
named Pollidoro, (signore Paecce) who was trid•
happy in his old age, bring cherished by the love of
his people; the tender affection of Zehoira,
COLDRAN Roma:Obis daughter, as also of her
(Signereliaucta) a valiant Trojan prince, I.e bring emit-
lo contest with an enemy, who thri atened his doMi-
MOOD, was obliged to absent himself from la sho. . Azore,
Lord of Mitvlene, profiting by Isis ahltenee, and irritated
against Polidora for having refilled hint the hand of ZEI,-
MIRA, with a powerful army invade,' his kingdom, where
he carried terror and devastation. Nevertheless Ilis rt..
vengeful aridity could not fully he accomplished without
the death of Polidoro, whose retreat he endeavoured to
discover by every means in his power. Zelntira enc. red
in concealing her father in the tomb, where were deposited
the ashes of the kings of Lesbo, and to prevent the
very of his concealment, feigned ferocity, presented herself
ter the usurper, pretending to wiab the death of her father,
es lie had deprived her of Ruth a brilliant conquest, and
told him that Polidoro had taken refuge in the temple f
('errs. Asorre i diately condenteed that sacred
edifice to the flames In the mean time Antenore,
(Signore Cnatosti). who aspires! to the throne of Ali-
tylene, seconded by Lcvcippo,' (Signore Pilul)) or-
dered in the dead of night, that Azorre should be put to
death, and ley his artifices he mounted the throne of Leibo
and Mitylene. But Do, having defeated his enemies,
returned opportunely to Lesbo, and with his valiant ear•
riors animating the 'depressed courage of the people, ever
faithful to their legitimate sovereign, he vanquished, and
put to flight the uenriter, and reinstated King Polidoro
on his throne. The anecdote (says the pnblisher of Km-
sini's Memoirs) is taken from the Tragedy of Zelmira by
Signor Helloy. The subordinate characters are Emma,
(Madame VESTRID) attendant npon Zeloriree Eacide,
(Signore FRANCIIISCNI) I/o's knight, Ze/mira's son, High
Priest, ()rand Priest, and Priests of the Temple of Jupiter,
Chortle. of Ladies' attendants, People of Lesho, Warriors of
Mitylene, Attendants of //o, linards, et Cli. The scene is
at Lesbo. The language in this Opera is sufficiently
animated, so as to afford great room for the composer's
genius. From first to last, a spirit of melody
and originality of tone pervailedit r—the oboe clarionet,
violin and horn continually surprised the ear with new
graces and beautiful execution. Nor were the voices lest
effective in their respective class. Madame COLEMAN'S face
is intelligent ; expression is her forte ; her notes art
clearly trilled. and her esecution comprehensive. She is a
native of Spain, inheriting the sunny and refined cut of
her country women. Her eye is dark and rather soft than
piercing, her profile aqniline, and leer action graceful. In
her interview with her fattier, disguised as a priest, in the
second scene at the sepulchre,lier modnlation and science
were admirably displayed—when she expressed
Soave conforto
l)i un padre dolente,
the audience were so much delighted that they could with
diffienity restrain their praise to the end of the scene.
Not so full of volume as CA7461.11'0. nor so belltoned as
Forma, nor of so commanding a figure as Mrs. Buse.
Coulees assumes dignity, and flings a charm of
beauty around her person. In scene the styli, her passion-
ate `OA ? when soliciting her husband to escape from
danger and death—when she asserts tier innocence after
having saved his life from the riag ger of the assassin—her
calm fortitude in foloing the caution of the vir.ins—
la hen she was released w from her chains and becenie trio -
qail—reqnested to be dragged with iinteaore—to the con-
elusion, as her peace gradually returned and her happiness
hopefully breathed, the actress was more impressive and
her melody more admired ; her varied expressiveness and
her elocotioe, by the strength of correct cadence, elevated
her character in the vocal and dramatic circle. Madame
VIESTRIS, who was chastely dressed as Emma, acted and
sung with great propriety. How differently she appeared to,
her rustic archness in Philaadertag last neck at Drury-late.
—initially clever, though two characters ire not more
die-
similar. GARCIA, who looks thinner than when we parted
last season, retains mellowness of tone and 'cosi ive ardour.
Cl:moat's reedy sweetness, formed, or rather blended on
agreeable contrast, when Porto rolled the deep thunders
of his incomparable voice around him—the bee
assassin we ever saw ; the object of his vengeance conld sat
' avoid trembling as before a lion. In the first and seventh
scene, the music seemed born in his SO4l, so nearly Itossiel
trollied his capacity. In scene four, act two, his delivery
of ' TmUa sepi la frame' was excellently deep in expres•
Jon. PLACCI persunated the aged king very eel ctably.
avid FRANCHIMCHI, who made his debut, was well received.°
11-tween the operas Hower cut dames,' a new Divertiso
ment, gave the !overt of dancing a felicitous treat. 4,,h-
LigliT and C. VAISTRM partictriarly dietinietilitted their fur
bhe art, w:iile the • happy nymphs and happy swains' w
surrounded them were exceedingly numerous and litchi
on the fantastic toe.' L'Ailoration an Sulcials. a
new
ballet divertisement, also detained a very crowded and dis-
tinguished auditory to midnight; when, at rerest,ltoi..ws:
met came upon the stage, he returned his patenti sick ti
ledgments for his flattering reception, anil the curtain
d
dropped to as gratified an assemblage as ever visite the
ITALIAN OrIMA.

• The scenery of the insesoleam end magnificent hall in the
palace struck as es being extremely beaatifel.

Ms ECCLIMAITICAL FAMILT.—A correspondent informs
ss,tbat being a few weekspince, ins Borough in lterkshiic
be was struck with the strange coincidence of a whole
family getting their living from their connection
with the Church of that town. The father, it
prated, was the Parish Clerk ; the eldest son had by
some means, got Into orders, and was Curate of the Pa-
rish ; the ercond son was sexton; the third was gtev—
diSteet the mother pew-opener ; and daughter let
assistant. All these persons, oar correspondent says. 10
saw enaged in the perfarmaaoe of their respectivo fun,•
lions the last Sunday be pastry) in the tOtt P.