The New York herald., 1845-01-04

ITALIAN OPERA.-FIRsr NleHr OF SKMIRAMrDE
1t isa fact, not sufficiently appreciated by the pub
lie, that there is no city, not even Paris and London
excepted, where such an array Of pleasing and
sterling operas would have been brought out in
year as in New York. In Europe, the complaint
10 general that Bellini has driven Rossini from the
stage in the same manner as Donizetti does 1t now
with Bellini; is this complaint without foun-
daiion, both Rossini and Bellini may be said to
be forgotten in Italy at least, in judging from the
repertoire, where there is nothing to be found but
Donizetti, with slight sprinkling of Verdi. In
France and Germany, the better state of musical
taste has tried to stem the current of operatc
triviality; but according to all appearances even
there similar result is unavoidable, and many
sincere lover OF the better style of Italian opera
music, will envy New York the pleasure of having
not alone Lucrezia, Lucia, Beatrice, Puritani,
La Somnambula, but likewise II Barbere. L'Ita-
which there is already visible much of that orgi.
nalty which was fully developed in Guillaume
| Tell, although in different shape.
This chef d'Gxvrs, which was brought out last
evening, for the first time in this country, met
with most extraordinary and enthusiastic recep-
ton. The libretto which is partial imitation of
il
sent any startling points Of interest," bat consists Of
incidents, which follow each other in uninter-
rupted and natural succession. We do not think
il right, by the bye that the gentleman, who does
the aybills," neglected to state the argument on
them, which, of course, is missed by all those who
did not pay three shilllngs tor the book. This
sight is the more to blamed since notable part OF
the public does not patronze the Italian opera,
| the ground OF not understanding the words, for
n a n
gble to every person of taste. feeling and refine
ment. Nor is succinct statement OF the plot to
be found in the llbretto, with the exception Of
short preliminary notice, leaving of with 'what
happened at Babylon on the day appointed for the
choice Of Azzema's husband and successor to the
| throne, is the subject of this drama" This sub.
ject we shall try to indicate shortly possible
Semiramls, Borghese) founder Of Babylon and
tons Of Assur valtellina) her early lover, poisoned
her husband Minus. believing it to be his intention
| to discard her. Shortly before his death, he dis
covered the treason, and for fear of Assur, sent
his only son Nina (rather feminine name for q
gentleman) to Memphis, to be secretly EDUCATED
there under the name of Arsace, lPicol confiding
at the same time to the Pontiff Of Belus, his
| crown, sword, and document, proving the afro
cious deed; thus securing his sons succession to
dead by Assur and Semiramis, after an unsuccess-
tul search, rose to the dignity Of commander in
| chief OF the Scythlan army, and such fell In
love with Azzema, the heir.to the throne, whose
whose possession, both Prince Idreno (Perozz)land
Arsar aspired; the out Of love, the other from
ambition The day on which Semiramis promised
to choose Mccess:rto Minus Minus appeared, but when
| sacred hire was put out by thunderb0lt. This
being considered a bad omen, the ceremony 10 put
off till the arrival Of the oracle from Memphis In
the mean time Arsace, who is secretly loved by
Semiramis, received an order to proceed to Baby
lon, where, after having been informed by Oroe
(Major) Of Assur's crime. he provokes HIM, and
Gle from Memphis, which pronounces in mystical
terms IN favor of Arsace, who is, therefore, pro-
claimed by Semiramis as her husband and king at
the same time as she gives .Azzema to Idreno.
Arsace, however, without alluding to his love for
Azzema, declines the HONOR" but Semiramis,
attIibuting this refusal to modesty, does not listen
to him, and presents him to the people with the
suddenly The ghost Sa y Minus spS n
open tomb, and pronounces that Arsace shall be
king, but not before he has sacrificed victim to
| his ashes. Thus ends the first act.
In the second act, Arsace learns from Oroe the
secret OF his birth, and In an interview with Semi.
ramls, who expects to meet him as lover, he
| communicates that secret TO her--reproaches her
with the deed, but touched by her remorse, he
| torglves her, and swears vengeance to Assur. In
the third act, he descends into the mausoleum Of
TOR the s Ct * killing Assar whom % ne
| his own mother, who likewise went down for the
sake of praying at her husbands grave. In his
despair ne tries to kill himself but is prevented by
pie; ne yields, and thus the dramatic tragedy"
It is unnecessary to criticize the music; first, be-
ond, becsuse-as an Italian opera-it is above ali
criticism. Every single number is masterpiece !;
Inc ai, concerted pieces chorusses. orchestral ac
~ ~compsnments, are all conceived with an e9sal
grandeur, and finished with the same genius. The
whole ls beautiful as an Iris, sparkling as neck
lace OF diamonds, rubies and sapphres. With one
WORD, take 1t AL in all, you will never see the like
In lts sphere, of courke.
The execution Of the opera was admirable, and
| very seldom first representation offered SO few
flaws to hnd fault with. Our two amiable primi
aonne @ had 9 most charming vocal race; both star
teo ana arrived at the same time at the goal in per-
tect tune and spirits amidst the cheers of the public
Borghese gave the Proud Queen with perfection
she had never attained in any Of her former parts
Her Sorta0 in the Quartette, I" Fra ta~ti rsgi''
was begun with an admirable nezxauoce, but it was
kept up BY all little too long, and ought to have
made place to crescesdo, to which the fortissinso
Of the end would have formed very telling eli.
the charming chorus 9 Serena vaghi raj was
most splendid performance, and was given with a
6rllllancy whichwas appauded to the echo. Pico-.
most senguine expectations Of her wonderful ta-
lent Hell hrst recitation was full Of pathos, enun-
cated with dramatic emphasis Of phrasing, which
few singers possess in similar degree of exce!en
| cy. Plco not alone understands what she sings,
but shows il likewise through proper accentua-
ton, as for instance in the words "Schiwss ciglio
mi gwGrdo," which must have been understood,
the, language. The duem between Pico
and BoTghese created quite a fanaticism
| never has there been heard q similar harmony in
New York. None was better, both were the best.
The applause it called forth from the audience
| was a perfect hurricane, accompanied with
shower of flowers, which afforded our two night
lngaiee an opportunity to exchange compliments"
Ih,s throwing Of bouquets in the middle Of piece,
s, by the bye, entirely out Of place, and done
no theatre In Europe until after the act An