The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-12-28

often sung II, and entered into delightful
conversation with me on the songs Of the
| Spanish peasantry, accompanying her re-
marks by little scraps here and there, PLAYED
and sung after the fashion of the different dis
tricts.
II was proud night for the venerable Da
Ponte that on which the Italian company
opened at New York. An entire Italian opera
had never before been played in America.
Out Of compliment to the poet, :. Don Gio-
vanni"-fhe ibretto Of which he had CON-
posed so long previously-was chosen and
on his entrance into the stage box he was re-
cognized by the pupils to whom he had taught
the soft language they had assembled to hear
for the first time in an American theatre, who
all rising, followed by the rest Of the au-
dience, cheered him cordially, amid The wav-
ing Of hats and handkerchief, compliment
which was repeated still more enthusiast
cally on his leaving his box at the fall Of the
curtain. II was double triumph for him,
both as the author Of the libretto which Mozart
had married TO his immortal music, and the
teacher Of the language in which it was writ.
ten to the greater portion Of the audience pre-
sent When last saw him. he was engaged
on new libretto-" Don Giovanni in Inferno"
which have never since heard Of Per-
haps the " Giovanni in London" which came
out soon after, by anticipating the idea, led
him to abandon it,
After the failure of her husband, Malibran
accepted an engagement at the Bowery thea
tire in English characters, and her first APP
pearance as Count ,Belino, in 1.-THE Devils
Bridge" attracted a most crowded and ia
81, IL L. IL. L r.. L
cited the greatest sympathy. Her accent at
that period was nothing near so good as it
afterwards became, and it was delightful to
hear her investing the gutteral and kissing
sounds of the English language with the
liquid enunciation Of the Italian. The manner
in which she pronounced Rosalvina was pc
culiarly markable-Rozzalvina came SO
sweetly from her lips, that found every one,
like myself, repeating it after her. When she
called at the treasury for her salary, which
was exceedingly high, she was told that it
had all been attached by her husbands Gre
ditors The question as to their right was
discussed by every one, but the nuisance was
somehow compounded, and she finished her
engagement. The next time saw her was
as Prima Donna, in Paris and in London.
The Garcias met with but Indifferent sue
cess, believe, in Mexico. On their way
from Vera Cruz TO the city of Mexico, the
whole caravan, consisting Of Spaniards, Mex
leans, Frenchmen, Italians, Englishmen, and
Americans, and all well armed too, were way
laid by banditti, and taken prisoners. They
were robbed Of every thing valuable, and
shockingly ill-used besides, being logged, and
beaten, and dirked, and subjected to every
indignity. Old Garcia had counted on his
vocation as safeguard, and was astonished
that his consequential announcement Of being
the great primo tenore Of all Europe was re-
ceived with loud laughter and contempt by
the brigands, who, however, to show they
had some Emusic in their souls" amused
themselves by making him sing passages
from the operas, while they were ransacking
his trunks and boxes. At every two or three
bars he would entreat them to spare his chat
tells, now entreating them for mercy, and now
threatening vengeance upon them, when it
was known at Mexico that they had robbed
the great primo tenore Of all Europe. When
ever he ceased singing they pricked him with
their swords and knives, and beat him till he
could no longer stand Still they insisted on
his singing, and it was piteous to see him
compelled to sing amidst his misfortunes in
the certainty Of losing all his property, and
the fear Of being assassinated to boot. Alas !
what situation for the great primo Tenure Of
all Europe. ! had this story from the captain
of British frigate, who was himself sadly
used and wounded, and bore evidence Of the
encounter at the time met him. He said,
wounded and mortified as he was, and plying
the poor singer from his soul, he could not
help laughing at the ludicrous, though truly
miserable position Of the primo tenore, inter-
larding his applications for mercy, to his
goods and chattels with choice specimens Of
the Italian operas, on compulsion. What
scene it would make in the Opera Buffa
w. B. II.