The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-02-08


PAsoDl IN PAsrAl0oaA---N. Willis give,
ths following fancy touches on Parodi ia Ro
meo. We think that plain countryman, on
witnessing this assumption OF male habits by a
female, might DO tempted 10 exclaim with Ju-
liet--
"Oh Romeo Romeo Wherefore art THOU
Romeo !"
Married ladies are entitled to wear the panta-
looms, in private, (or at least some do, we are
told) but none Of the geatler sex should in pub
lic-until handles assume the fitting female ha-
biliments. The distinction must be kept up in
some way.
Talking of Romeo reminds us that we wit
messed Miss Dauenporfs performance of Juliet,
on Thursday evening dropping in towards the
close. "She acted well her part," and was
cheerod enthusiastically by very crowded au-
dience, and the effect would have been even
greater, had she been better sustained. We
know of no play that requires more talent, and
a stronger cast for the subordinate characters,
tnMn romeo ana juliet.
We have had the pleasure of witnessing the
performance of this lady several times, and our
original impressions of her dramatic powers
have only been more strongly confirmed, on
each successive evening. Having already ex-
pressed that Judgment we deem it unnecessary
to reterate it, but would advise all who have not
seen this STAR" to give themselves benefit at
hers this evening.
Willis speaking of Parodi, says:
Parodi in mustache and male attire, PLAYING
the Romeo to Juliet's first appearance, has
been novelty by which the Opera has profited
lately--nO seats being vacant except those of
the very fashionable subscribers. Great interest
VAS felt to see how the prima donna would
make love in hose and doubet, and she, at least
satisfied curiosity as to her probable idea of
what energy is usually expected. She did like
man. The absence of petticoats was no en-
barrassment to her usual locomotive uncon
| seriousness, and indeed. if her means of getting
OYER the ground had been used to daylight ali
t'.eir lives, they could not have str ded about
with pr0mptitude more easy and fearless. She
played admirably, and sang-with that satisfy
ingness to the ear, which II ripe apricot gives to
the throat in summer noon. So fruity and
censuous voice we certainly never have heard
| as this of Parodi. The low notes which are so
remarkab ., and which she seems to undervalue
Gas people often undervalue their best gfts,)
| found their proper occasion under the hat and
feathers of Romeo, and drew a murmur of de-
light from the audience, whenever they plowed
up the mellow cadences Of adolescence for the
ear Of the blushed Juliet. We may add, by the
way, that the nustache was very becoming to
Parodi's short upper lip, though, perhaps, il is
hardly evangelical to admire 1.-THE Bible de-
claring deuteronomy XXI, 81 that "the wo-
man shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a
man."
OF Miss Whiting, the debutante, the critics
have left us nothing to say. She was dressed
charmlngy, looked pretty, sang correctly, and
was vociterousy appauded. The audience cal.
led her on the stage after each act, and there was
hearty laugh at the consistent gallan.ry with
which Parodi-Romeo picked up the bouquets
and presented them lovingly to Juliet--half of
| them, at least, intended doubtless for herself
It was in these stoopngs .Gawn, by the way,
that her movements made then only BETRAYAL Of
the disguise--the kneejoints bending woman
esquely inwards instead of mar-ishly outwards
lin all other points the gallant prma donna
acting us any gentleman would do in her place
We were prepared, of course with the rest of
the audience, to feel very pensve over Juliet's
entombment; but the resemblance of the sar-
cophagns to cold French pie, caused general
smile, which was suddenly turned into hugh
when two attendants hustled in, like walters at
hotel, and took off the cover for Rome0--dis-
closing apparently, demoiselea la creme, served
up with the delicacy Things at cooks window
in Paris. The snowy white muslin, pulled up
above the edges of the brown crust looked
really as fit might be taken up in spoonfuls,
and easten, as "trifles" are.
The more we hear Parodi the more we deplore
the prospect of her return to Europe. We are
certain that we shall have no one to fiji her
place. either as an actress and singer, or as an
artist of indohlitabe energy and adaptabity.-
She is treasure worth taking some pains to
keep this side the water.