The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1842-08-12 00:00:00

THEATRE ROYAL

The opera of " Norma " was repeated on Tuesday. On
Wednesday " Sonnambula" was produced. Every part of
the house was filled. The boxes exhibited a galaxy of beauty
and fashion. " Sonnambula" has always been a favourite
opera in Liverpool. Its lovely airs, its touching recitatives,
and interesting and homely story win for it a welcome like
some old and dear friend. We know that some musical
people differ from us in our opinion that " Norma " and
" Puritani " bear a resemblance to " Sonnambula," but we
maintain that in the two former there are constantly recurring
passages that claim a close similarity to the latter. " Son-
nambula" is Bellini's chastest and most original work. There
is a stream of melody flowing through it that, like a sparkling
rivulet occasionally hiding itself in the earth, every now and
then breaks out, like Moore's waves of the eastern sea, " into
dimples and lamas in the sun." Malibran's Amina was un-
approachable, she stood as Miss Kemble does in " Norma."
Of late years we have seen the Woods, Templeton, Miss
Delcy, Miss Shirreff, Wilson, and others, appearing in this
opera—in some respects the performance of Wednesday night
far excelled all former ones, while in others it fell short. Miss
Kemble's Amina, in the first act, we prefer to Mrs. Wood's
and Miss Shirreff's ; in the two last both excelled her.
Mrs. Woods Amina is florid—in some respects it may be
called dashing, in fact, a brilliant performance. Her
.acena " Oh do not mingle" is superior to Miss Kemble's,
-who by the way sings different words to it,—and, in our
opinion, not better ones. Miss Kemble's acting is very fine
and replete with power, but for intensity of passion, for
delicacy and spirituality, for gracefulness and simplicity, we
'• prefer Miss Shirreff's impersonation. Miss Delcy's Amino,
when she first appeared here, wanted age and physical strength,
although there was a great deal of promise in it. Miss Kemble's
differs entirely from all those who have preceded her, and
cannot but be pronounced a very superior performance, but it
does rank so high as her Norma, in which she has been hitherto
unsurpassed. The bounding joy, the ecstatic delight shown
by Mrs. Wood and Miss Shirrcff on finding Elvino, convinced
of Anzina' s innocence, was not so fully manifested by Miss
Kemble. The denouement wanted that inexpressible some-
thing that carries the heart and fancy with it, to rejoice in
the heroine's happiness. The opening scena was deliciously
sung. We do not for one moment detract from Miss Kern-
ble's great ability, and we cannot think that she can suffer
by a comparison with those who have preceded her. Those
who listened to her on Wednesday, could not fail to be de-
lighted. Her voice is a magnificent one, and her science
-unquestionable. Her style chaste, her enunciation perfect,
while her execution is wonderful. Her tones sometimes re-
'mind us of De Beriot, and even Paganini, so Cremona-
like are their quality. It can only be subject of regret that
such a bright example should so soon be taken from the
stage, and cease to give delight to thousands.—Mr. Shrivall has
risen greatly in our estimation. He sang Eiryino excellently.
He proved his possession of taste, judgment, and feeling, as
well as voice. It is as good as any on the stage, perhaps the
best. His " Take, now, this ring" was very charmingly
sung. Mr. Balfe's Rodolpho is an excellent performance;
it is decidedly the best we have heard for a very long time.
He sings with consumate taste, and with, as may be ex-
-pected, perfect knowledge of the music, giving due effect to
.every note. He acts with spirit and liveliness, adding
greatly to the interest of the scene.--Miss Gardner played
Lisa, and sang extremely well. The beautiful aria in the

last act was very cleverly given. Unequivocal marks of ap-
probation recorded her efforts. Thi, being her first ap-
, liearance in the character, it showed that she possesses con-
:siderable taste and talent.—Mr. Eaton played Alessio well.—
:Miss Honner gave the recitatives of Dame Theresa with
:much judgment and clearness of tone. It is a decided
im-
Trovement to put a singer into this part. We missed the
petty scene, with the bridge and river, hitherto exhibited in
rthe first act—the flat landscape is not to be eompared with it.
I The prudery of Lisa, and the love-makings of Alessio, have
aeon omitted, not judiciously—as, also the discovery of the
Count, in consequence of Alessio's examination of his bag-
; gage. The recitative of Rodolpho, in which he throws out
a hint that the Count is in tha vicinity of the village, is well
introduced. After the opera, Mr. Weiss sang a trashy hal_
L
•called " The Young Soldier." The effect of his fine voice

was quite lost, and it went off flatly. This song is unworthy the
talents of the composer of some of the best operas of late years
In the afterpiece of No Song no Supper, Miss Rainforth de•
lighted her hearers by singing " Wapping
Benwell as Thomas, elicited an uproarious laugh, by intro
ducing " Still so gently o'er me stealing," addressed to Nell.
Miss Webster played this character rather broadly, but it
was a droll bit of Lancashire. To-night, Miss Kemble takes
her benefit, when La Sonnambula will be repeated. We
understand that Mrs. Seymour from the United States is
engaged for a few nights, and will make her first appearance
on Monday next, in the character of fuli:1; she has created

Id Stairs

a great sensation in America ; and is, we hear, a lady not
only of the highest class of talent, but of great personal
beauty.