Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-09-07
From the Courier and Enquirer
Debut of Madame Grisi and SIgnor Mar


A very large audience was present last even
ing at the first appearance of Grisi and Mario
in the opera Lucrezia Borgia. There being
some delay in the raising OF the curtain, the
people expressed somewhat loudly their impa.
tience for the long anticipated pleasure, but the
arrival of Councilman Wild, to take possession
OF his seats next Mr. Coutts," created merry
good-natured hubbub; and soon after, the per
Torrance commenced. Both artistes were very
warmly received. Signor Mario came on the
stage very quietly, of course, slipping in among
crowd of people; but he was Immediately re-
ccgnized and had ofte. to repeat his somewhat
stiff and awkward acknowledgment of his
greeting. When Madame Grisi appeared she
Vas welcomed BY very hearty and prolonged
applause. She curtsied profoundly again and
again, and two or. three times addressed herself
TO her task, but still the applause continued
the truth being that the audience expected her
to remove her mask for moment at least in
acknowledgment of the very unusual demon.
stration in her honor. But everything must
have an end, and so at last did this clappinp OF
hands and waving of hats and handkerchief,
and che was allowed to utter Tlanqailo eii
posd.
Does any one, who would understand the in.
formation, need be told that Grisi has a anezeo
soprano voice of remarkable compass and
power-that her style is emnently declamatory
and dramatic, in fact, that it is the dramatic
style which most pTima donnas of the day imi-
tate--that she sings with great intensity Of ex-
preston? Done! Our critical task is short.
Grisi last evening showed all these qualities
which were looked for as much as if they had
been promised by the item in the programme.
It was in the most dramatic and exciting pas
or.f L. Al II 4 \ -. n
the second act and the last scene of the third,
that she achieved her greatest success. 1t is
evidently more as musical tragedian than as
vocalist that she has been great. Personally
Madame Grisi is an eye-flling woman-a
sumptuous creature, who should he brought in
upon silver gilt salver, as Jael brought forth
butter on a lordy dish Her brow broadens
beautifully over her ox-ike eyes, and her head
is set upon her neck like Juno's.
Sgnor Mario is in the prime of his beauty
and his voice. and is undeniably very pretty
fellow. He gets himself up with exquisite
elaboration and if he ever use that sweet voice
OF his to WOO any other ear than that of pay
ing public he must be very dangerous person
His singing is of the light and graceful school
His voice, mellow and full in its lower register
is limited in the range of its upper chest tones; ;
and he transposes, or rather modifes, all high
passages of energy those of q graceful char.
acter he executes very prettily by the use of his
head voice and falsetto, over which he has OBJ
tained marvellous control. The ease with which
he sings is partly due to natural advantages
and partly to the excellence of his method.
which is irreproachabe and formed on the best
models. He gave Dipescator with remafka.
bic degree of grace and tenderness.
These distinguished artists were not left with
out worthy support Signor Lusini, basso
with noble voice, and fine decIamatory
style, appeared as Duke Alfonso, and fairly
divided the applause with Grisi and Mario
themselves. The minor parts were filed in
creditable and satisfactory manner, the chorus
vas full and well drilled, the same being true
of the orchestra which was directed by Sgnor
Arditi, formerly of the Havana company. The
debut was decidedly successful. the artstes hav-
ing been unanimously summoned before the
curtain at the eUd Of each act; and repe,i-
ton of the 6ue trio in the second act having
been demanded in manner quite undeniable.
Lucrezia Borgia will be repeated to morrow
evening. it will be noticed that the price of
seats has been altered to three dollars all over
the house, The choice of seats being put up at
auC ton as before