New-York daily tribune., 1854-09-05
THE OPERA.

nent byiuiancy. lhe oso iou WIN 's aPi'S"
covers about of ground and to see this space
stocked with spectators in the AUDITORIUM ana OF
ehestrsl players and singers for the stage, is sight
worth seeing. There was very large audience pres
ont last night how many we are prepared to say,
as the ordinary number Of seats attributed 10 thiS
hall is excessive Sufficient to SAY that where avicw
could be had of the stage, there was IN the gaiery
and on the floor multitudes of people The time Oh
assembling previously TO the curtains rise WIS en-
livened by some joculsr cheers as the fair Unknown
who bought the hghpriced ticket was seen 70 enter
The buzz and hustle we're brought to an end as Sig
nor Ardit, the orchestral leader tapped peremptor
ily on the stand, and the brief Introduction, preced-
ing the drama, began. The presence OF superior
orchestra was Immediately rendered evident on the
occasion. 1t is forty-eight strong and In ability
is superior to any hitherto heard in opera in this
City.
AZ the curtain went up and the charming music,
redolent of Venice, gaiety and gondolas, began
chorus remarkable for numbers, discipline, and tho
excellence and variety of their brannew costumes,
appeared. The level of their discourse was altered
by the appearance of Signor Mario, who, after few
words of recitative retired but his simple presence
was signal for cordial greeting. He looked well,
and was faultlessly habited. The romance, sung
by Signors Patti, was agreeaby given. We would
here remark that all the secondary parts were fairly
given. 1t is all to look for supreme excel
lence in parts where minute or twos solo perform
ance is the extent of such prominent work; and If
such parts be got through without ofhse. it is all
that can be demanded.
On the appearance Of Grisi, tenaoiously long and
loud series of paudits began. As the plot and mu-
sic of this opera are already familiar, We shall
avoid any description Of them, but confne ourselves
almost exclusively to notss the performance. In
the first act, on the part Of Madame Grsi and Sgnor
Mario there is nothing very remarkable. Msrios
voice is Of such superior deicacy and beauty that it
was not fully brought out By the kind Of music dra-
maticaly required in this act and the eminent tragic
powers too Of Crisi wanted fold in the act. In
the second act however, their speciaties those things
that put them in the first rank in Europe forth
The duet of Lucrezis with tho Duke elected the
majestic poses, and gestures, and the vocal impetu
osity which Madame Grisi has beyond any other per-
former. Il may be remarked, however, as charac-
teristic OF her Of artistic proprety that there
was no resort to coarse melodramatic exaggerations
either in tone action, but certain repose was
always observable. Her frequent of the half
voice. and the gentlest details Of yocaliz atOn added
to noble musico-tragic bursts must have convinced
all of the possibility Of connecting in person the
power Of representing the extremes of lyrical repre-
sentation. The trio and the duet following,
fully established the reputation Of Madame Grisi
with the audience, and she was vociierousy called
before the curtain, and received with a storm Of
stamping, olsppng, bravoes, and waving Of hand
kercbiefs. In the trio which was encored, as it did
not deserve to be, Signor Mario was inadequatey
loud. Where his part renders the melody, the So
prano in sxths above being really Economically Sc
copdary, he was almost inaudible. Thus where We
expected resonant traits of intensity we found from
him little beyond dumb show. There is probably in
every opera some particular piece which predmi-
nently brings out the quality VI whatever singer.
The romance-not originally in the opera, and not
by Donizetti-gave full scope for the minute delica-
cies and passionate beauties Of Mario's style, We
never heard piece listezed TO with more earnest at-
tention, approved with more emphatic appliance.
1t was the tenors triumph Of the evening.
6ignor Susini, though little heralded made splen-
did impression in his debut. With large, fine bass
voice, good method, good manner, and incontesi-
BILE experience on the stage he failed not to mako
success, and draw forth applause without dissent.
1t is seldom performer is l,udly greeted at once
by an audience new to him.
The third act Of this drama again drew forth the
powers Of the artift Lucrezia Borgia is in fact the
best POLITICALLY written drama the Italian stage
the most compact and finished hsersry performance
with the least resort to the plstitude or ordi-
nary operate scenes and situations. As such, it
equally aids composer and performer. There is no
drawback to the composition on i,s rendition. Ii was
therefore discreety chosen as an opening opera By
the artists in question. Its success last night was un
equivoeal Certainly the mere picture presented by
Grsi in the second acther classic port her proudly
set head, her Juno-ke shoulders and arms. looking
statuesque,-must have fully repaid the lovers Of
tragedy of the classic school, Throwing aside the
music and forgetting voices and Donzetti.
Crisis voice "a positive soprano Of two octsyes-
vocal and dramatic at the same time Mario's tenor
signalized by the with which he takes the bi0b
chest notes, to which must be added fslsetto. for
those who like that exceptional voice. To this nut
be added extreme sympathy and tenderness, and tho
power Of uttering all his syIabIes plainly. 40
that the sentiment Ia never lost. susipis orvnn
we have already described. Sustained bv
good secondary artists, by very superior
orchestra, which can play softly under it, leader.
Ardir,-by entirely new and splendid dresses. 80
that the eyeh not offended while the ear s pleased
the opera mounted Las. night deserves continued
success. Ithas been placed on the stage with pro-
digiouS care and expense-oIpense wholly unprece-
dened in the annals Of opera in this country and not
exceeded In Europe. Mr. Hscke.t merits all possible
consideration and support for his enterprise and in
success must determine that Of much future effort Of
the same kind.
There will be an auction sale Of choice places TO-
day, at Castle Garden at i2 oclock and Tor the fa-
twe the price Of tickets, except those % ssld w be