The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-07-24
Foreign Musical intelligence.

| RETURN OF SoNTAG TO TIE STAGE. Exit Jenny
Linde-re-enter Sontag. Lumley is brilliant man
ager This interesting piece of musical news is thus
announced in a London paper of the 10th ultimo:
We have the pleasure of announcing that Mr..
Lumley who returned yesterday from Berlin, has
defnitively settled the engagement of Madame Son.
tag, who will Immediately appear at her Majesty IS
theatre, the scene of her former uiumphs. This
lady, whose theatrical career was as brief il was
brilliant retired from the stage on her marriage
with nobleman of distinguished rank, holding a
high Office in the service of his sovereign. For
some years she happily enjoyed her privileged po-
sltion amidst universal respect, and she received
MAJ ks of more than ordinary consideration from
the sovereigns princes and other great personages
of the different courts which she visited. Recent
circumstances, resulting from the deplorabe con-
vulslOns on the continent, have now induced her to
return to the stage. During the interval which has
elapsed since her retirement she has constantly cul-
vated her remarkable natural gifts of voice, and 1t
is understood that she has added TO her former
power and beauty of tone still greater delicacy in
expressi every shade Of vocal and dramatic SEN
timent.
Madame Sontag, German by birth, began her
career at fifteen years of age. Almost Immediately
on her appearance at the German opera at Vienna
she created the greatest enthusiasm The celebrated
Barbaja, who at the same moment was the impye-
saio of three of the greatest operate theatres of
Europe, having heard her sing at Vienna, employed
strenuous exertions to withdraw her from the Ger
man to the Italian lyrical stage. He at length sue
ceeded in his object and she made her debut in the
Donna del Lago at the grand opera of the Carinthia.
However, this new aspect Of her talent created such
sensation that offers of unlimited berality poured
in from every quarter and at the close of the sea-
son the judcious and enterprisng Severini had the
good fortune to secure Madame Sontags services
for the haiiens in Paris. There she met with an
other celebrated prima donna who had long preceded
her, Madame Malibran; and with her distinguished
colleague she performed, as with an elder sister, in
Tancred, II .Matrimonio, and many other operas.
So conspicuous her success that every effort
was made to bring her 10 London; and she arrived
the following season in ENGLAND Her debut took
place at concert at Devonshire house, in the
Easter week. Such was her reputation, not only
for musical genius, but for beauty, elegance, and
fascination Of every kind, that the crowds of eager
spectators in the streets equaled the throng Of
b,y, rank and fashion, under the roof of the great
diLleiante and patron of art, the Duke of Devon
shire. A few days afterwards she made her first
appearance at her Majesty's theatre, when she
more than realized the high expectations which had
been raised
From England Madame Sontag went to Berlin,
where, through the influence of her amiable quail
ties, no less than by her talents, she gained the
marked esteem and regard of the late King Of
Prussia and the royal family. There she became
attached to Count Rossi, young Piedmontese no
beman the representative Of his Sovereign at that
court Her last appearance was in Semira'nide
This performance appeared as if it were national
celebration. All Berlin was present, and the whole
audience was in tears when she babe adieu. On
the occasion of her marriage the King of Prussia,
attended by all the prncesses of the blood, himself
gave away the bride. During the several missions
Of her husband at ST. Petersburgh and at Berlin,
this amiable and gifted lady was received at Court
with the greatest distinction, and she occasionally
delighted her imperial and royal entertainers by
the display of her genius. At St. Petersburgh,
such the sensation which she produced by
singing at Court, that the Emperor and Empress,
on her departure determined to establish the Italian
Opera, now one Of the first in Europe. We have
already alluded to the unfortunate circumstances
which have led Madame Sontag to resume the ex-
ercise of her profession, and we have only to add,
that she is now on her road to England. She will
appear at her Majesty's theatre very shortly after
her arrival