The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-11-11
ADDITIONAL EUROPEAN INTELLIGENCE.
Letter from a Lady Ina Paris.


IA PWis-Leopeh De Msysr-Fsmale FASHIONS
The Italian Opera has just opened in Paris, pre-
vious to which much boasting was m ade of Madame
Barbiei Mini, who was to make her debut as prima
donna. was there the first night; it was crowded;
all the elegance of Paris was there; it was SPLEEN
did house Among others whom l noticed, Lady
Beresford there with her niece, in the same box
and same seat she occupied five years ago, when
was in Paris, and / could almost say in the sams
bonnet Her singular costume, with an immense
bouquet attached to her dress in front, almost
verng her bust, attracted much notice. was quite
disappointed with Barbieri Mini She sings horri-
bly-it is, in some passages, perfect street
southland, besides, she sang false in several parts
Yet the applause, which must have been prepared
in advance by systematic claqUers, was tremendous
This only added to my astonish ment She is not
even eq ual to Stefaaone, Parodi, Bosio, or, in
r deed, any company we have had in New York
y at any time. As to her performance, it was of
a piece with her singing. In that beautiful pas
sage, where she takes of his mask, and is re-
eogniz ed, she expressed neither astonishment nor
surprise-she expressed nothing, but turned her
back, and ran off the stage l have been to hear
her again, but see no ressen whatever to change
my opinion. What is more, the Paris critics, who
extolled her to the skies at first, have gradually
veered round, and now begin in gentle way to
give vent to their disappointment. They allege
that she has been peculiarly tuored in the school
and style OF Verdi, and that his music and style are
= something new to Partisan ears; hence the dsap-
!. pointment experienced, as they pretend But
have seen her in the "Lucre.ia Borgia" Of Doni-
:. ze til, and she is still the same Signor -, Gene
= sGis qaoD, the tenor, was not much better and,
=. upon the whole, think, the company at the
Italian Opera is very inferior 1t would hardly be
q tolerated in New York. Tedesco has been engaged
q in the French Opera. She has made an engage
nent at $4,000, for nine months, and will shortly
!. appear in 6" La Refine de Gibier," new opera
Meyerbeer is also engaged in writing new opera for
her, in which she will take the principal part of the
Iewess. She was offered very handsome engage.
nent, for two years, but she refused it, Grisi and
Mario at st. Petersburg Alooni is playing beau
I tifully at the French Opera, where she commands
crowded houses. The tenor, Rogers, in the French
= Opera, is also excellent.
!. All the theatres in Paris are well attended,
and are crowded nightly. l went, the other even
ing, to the Vaude vile, in Place de Ia Bourse,
I and was really quite charmed, though one
! could scarcely get room to sit, the place was
crowded. These little French vaudevilles are de-
lightful The piece played was "Le Coucher dune
Etsle," and was got up and performed in the best
style The Italian Opera was so much crowded on
the first night, that not a seat could be got; all
the stalls were engaged, and one could no. be
got for forty francs, which, in several instances,
offered in vain, sueh was the demand,
and SO great the expectation and curiosity
to hear Barbieri Mai. Since then, however, though
decently filed, the Italian has ceased TO be crowded.
50 great is the public disappointment
There are a great many Americans here; but
] do not see much company. / have been to
see our ambassador, Mr.. Rives, and was much
pleased with him and his amiable lady; he
has given me some letters for Madrid, where
hope to arrive in the course Of next week. There
is, also, charming society at Mr. Goodrich's,
our Consul, better known Peter Farley; he called
TO see me the other day. and was much pleased with
= his conversation. Mrs. Hepburn, of New York, Is
: living here in great style, in the Faubourg st.
:, Honore, near the Elysee Bourbon. She is accom-
panied by her two beautiful daughters they quite
honesses, Tin fashionable sense and are greatly
admired for their sprightliness and iztellect She
looks Is young as her daughters SO much so that
they are often mistaken for three sisters. Mrs.
Penniman, too, the South Carolina beauty, is
here, and is very much admired Mr.. Wright, of
New York, the Secretary Of Legation in St. Peters
q fine, intelligent young man. His mother and
sister are living in the Place Vendeme. ! was
much pleased with the whole family. Leopold de
Meyer the great artist, is in vogue than ever,
and, If possible, plays better than ever he has not
as it was reported had anything the matter with his
hands; he has merely been reposing He has given
ne some curious particulars Of a new musical in
veniion which he has been to see. It is selfpsr-
forming plane, which, by ingenious continuance,
is made to play tue hardest music in the style OF
the best masters, altogether superseding the neces
si;y Of learning to play, so that by the simple
adaptations Of the instrument, O company may be
az much entertained If they heard the first artist
touching the keys. 1t will be fine thing for lazy
people, and will suit the Americans, the Russians,
and. may say, the Turks, who, though fond Of
dancing, yet, too lazy to dance themselves but
hire people to dance for them. Chickering has pur
ehassi one. Mr.. Wright returns TO Russia this
week; be is q very gentlemanly young nan, and
his company will be much missed. Mr. Rives OF
whom have already spoken, is very popular among
Americans, and, indeed, all people here, aad de-
servsdly so. The United States we're never better
represented than they now are, both in London and
Paris, which (Of course excepting our dear New
York; are the first cities in the world.
mus. conclude this long and me andering letter,
with afew observations upon the prevailing fashions
new style Of dressing the hair s in vogue here with
the ladies' Of Paris the hair is not cured, creased
With any pomatums, nor IL IL smooth, but il Is
frizzed and crispCd, a d negro This Is said TO be
the Madame de Pompadour style; but ] do not ai-
mHe II. The ladies also wear kind Of vest, like a
gentismans walstcoat with nall coat and little
cravati Just Ike a mans dress; the skirt falling
below is OF a different color to the Goa and vest.
Gloves are worn q Ia Sjrois made of a sort OF un-
dressed kd. They wear ohatfoas dosn to the feet,
made Of argent fort Moro jewery is worn than
ever and profusion q rich Bracelets &c are dis.
played, which have q rich effect Notwithstanding
my description, Il must 10. be supposed that the
fashion Just mentioned has uncouth or masculine
aIpearsnce on the contrary, u SITS veil, and looks
quite jaunty or the graceful Partisan belss.
II. A B.
n. 4. L..