The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-06-19

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Niblo,s Theatre The Daughter OF u Mara.
Bsfe's opera Of thu Daughter Of st. Msrk was mo-
dueed 1t hs theatre last night for the hrst time We
believe, In this country Considerable pains and en-.
psnss had been lavishsd its preparation, the exam
PIE set by the Academy in rendering its pieces as
attractive spectacles they are in point or
vocal merit having stimulated its Engnh rival 10 de-
part from ire old beaten track. Although the opera
selected for this experiment does rank as heh In
musical sense as some Of this composers ether
compositions, it Is, dramatically speaking, perhaps
the best adaptsd for show piece Of amy Of his
works In point Of scenic grandeur the ex-
pectaon excited BY the promising made
by the In the fullest respect grated
The piece admirably put upon the STAGE All the.
properties and costumes and Of the most SUI
psrb and costly description Some Of the pictorial ef
fecs the finest that have produced ct
this theatre especially the view Of the Palace Of
Famagosta and the Casino scene ut Ncosia Ia Cyprus
The general arrangement and grouping Of the figures
these tablsaux exceedingly beautiful, harmo
noualy did they blend In with and contribute 70 the
general effect. The opera itself, though, have
already said, rather weak lyrical compoation, 10
rich in dramatic interest
The groundwork Of the plot historical, but the sim
pie incidents OF the original story are complicated aud
anachronsms are rssorted to to comply with the require
ments of the STAGE Catarna Cornaro the heroine was
are told by old Esghsh writer the Of Andrea
Cornaro, Venetian nobisman, who sent a. Auditor
General into the kingdom Of Cyprus during the reign Of
James, king Of that isand and who of material
sstance to the latter sertsn pecunary difficulties In
which he was placed The King happening TO por-
trait Of Catarina, which the Auditor had purpossy let
drop In his presence fell violently In love with the erg
mall and on Andrea's Offering to give her . marriage
portion all the money he had lent him, and hundred
thousand crowns BESIDES the needy monarch caught 1t
tho bait and took the Venetian maiden his wife. On
the death Of her after he had arrived ct his
majority, the succession TO the throne devolved Gaia
rna BY his viii; and in this way the island passed
into the possession of the venetians.
Such the facts Of the historical episode, which,
curious to say, almost simultaneously occupied the pens
Of four eminent living composers, namely Herr Lach
nsr, N. Halsvy signor Donizetd and Mr. Bslfe. The
piece represented last night ID the production Of the
latter. The libretto il by Mr.. Bum.
The dramktsed version Of the story is sklfully
structed and ID not too long. The opening scenes
laid in Venice. marriage IL arranged between Ca
tarna, Miss Louisa Pyne) the niece and ward Of An
drea Cornaro, mr. Borrani,) and Adolphe de Courcy
(Nr. Harrison,) young French knight During the
mutual congratulations the lovers-a acene rendered
firms the consent he has already givsn, by renewed
assurances OF the happiness which the union gives
bim-there suddenly appears another unexpected Wit
Of their interview, Moncenigo r. Horncastle,)
Of the terrible Council Of Ten His presence throws
instnctivey cloud the prospects Of the lovers
They separate with dark forebodings, aud Moncengo
descends from the terrace to speak with Andrea He
to him that he has been sent with decree
from the Secret Ten prevent the proposed union be-
- H-k~ MT All
arbitrary proceeding this The people Of Cyprus hav
ing rsvoltsd against their king Lusgnano (Mr. Hol.
nan) the Council, IN order to bind the States
closely together have selected for him Venetian wife,
in the person Of Catarna This falls like thun
derbot Andrea he is almost inclined to brave the
power Of the Council, and to consummate the
union between his niece and Adolphs, but Nom
csnigo points out to him the dangers to which he
exposes himself, and those who are dear to him
by doing 30, and ambition finally triumphs
over the dictates Of affection In the meanwhile the
preparations for the marriage proceeded WITH and It
10 only when the lovers the foot Of the altar that
Andrea informs them that their union cannot take place.
This incident closes the frat act and affords theme for
effective and powerful finale.
When the curtain again rises Catarna s plunged
grief, and even contemplating suicide as . means
of escaping from her mssriss. The influence Of
religion, however, prevails these dark thoughts
She learns from Andrea the real obstacles
to her union, and the dangers that menace
all who oppose the DEGREES Of the Council She
ID nevertheless determined to with her lover to come
distant land where they may be beyond the reach Of
their psrsecutors and enjoy in contented obscurty ae
happiness that has been anAtched from them. Scarcely
has she formed this resolve when Moncenige hike the
evil shadow Of her destiny, stands beside her. He terri
fes her by recaptuAtng the threats which he has al
ready held out to Andrea points out tho assassius
who placed in ambush to strike her lover ct given
signal To the life Of her betrothed the poor girl
consents to reject him. Adophe enters to carry her off,
She affects to repulse him. Attributng her conduct to
fathessness he leaves her in anger, and CAarna des
pairing and broken hearted, swoons away.
or the motives that personally innnence Moncsnigo in
the cruel part he has acted now obtain nkling
in soliloquy in which he reveals to his designs.
The feelings that actuats him the impulses of
stage villsins-ambition and revenge. The departure
Of Catarns for Cyprus whore she 10 to be married to
the king Is celebrated with great pomp and fesvity.
And here bye 1t becomes necessary to give
explanation Of the title Of the piece II that in
order to evade the rigorous law which prohibited the
union Of any noble Venetian with foreign prince, the
destined royal bride usually adopted BY the stas
and declared Daughter Of st. Mark. She then
married by proxy conducted by the Bucentaur to the
galley which awaited her in the port and escorted BY
squadron Of ships Of war; with becoming pomp, and
portion Of one hundred thousand ducas the terrific
ries Of her husband.
The third act opens with beautiful tablesux,
va at Ncosa in Cyprus, in honor Of the approaching
marriage Of Catarins with the king Lusgnano One Of
Moncenigos spies points out to him Adolphs in dis
guse amongst the reveers and he sets his band Of
sassns upon him. Adolphe defends himself, but is
nearly overpowered, when stranger knight. masked,
comes to his relief, and beats of his ssssilAnts.
II is the King Bus Adolphs knows him not. They be-
come friends In the faith OF mighty honor Az they
separate Adophe meets Catarns Their love is awak
ened but Adolphs upbraids the unhappy Cstarna, ti
sung to the quick with his rsproAehss she reveals the
true cause Of her supposed psrHdy. The lovers are