Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-04-21
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP

audience attended the last representation OF
the Pyne and Harrison troupe, on Saturday
night last. The English translation of Rosini's
masterpiece, the " Barber of Seville" was
performed as well as ever before in this coun-
try-better, by far, than We ever before saw
this translation put on the stage. 1t is, how
ever, exceedingly difficult to adopt the re-
markedly rapid music of this opera to express
sion in English, q much clumsier language than
the italian, and wholly unsuited for being rem
dered in the peculiar musical measure that
marks most Of the finest passages of the
"Barber Of Seville" This was very evident
in the rendition of the part of Figaro, whose
notes ara nearly all very vivacious, following
each other so rapidly as to make it utterly
impossible for any singer to utter them in
English words so as to be comprehended. Mr..
Stretton labored to do so, and thus, we think,
spoiled much of what would otherwise have
been the effect Of his capacity to sing the in
imitable score of Figaro's role. The truth is,
the translation should be rewritten, with the
express end in view of dispensing with half
the words embraced in the current one. The
effect Of the piece would then be such as it
should be when rendered by such q troupe as
was with us last week.
Of Louisa Pyne, in Rosina, we can say
nothing that will embrace too extravagant
praise. She sang the translation of the gem
of the Opera-Una voee POGO Fa-as well as
that world-renOwned air was ever before rem
dered in America, by Lind, Sontag, Alboni,
La Grange, Parodi, Mrs Wood, or any other
Prims Donna who has crossed the Atlantic
Her rendition Of her role from beginning to
end, was marked by inimitable grace, taste,
and artistic skill. There is an absence of
straining throughout her vocalization which
really renders an hour spent under the magic
influence Of her charming voice, richer treat
than to listen to that of almost any other
opera singer We ever heard.
Mr.. Harrison surpassed himself as Alma
viva. His lower notes and forte passages
were rendered, on this occasion, quite as eff
fectively as his piano and falsetto, in singing
which, he is, and long has been, without an
equal among all the tenors born out of CONT
mental Europe.
u
well as that can be sung in the English lam
guage by vocalist who is more of baritone
than of basso.
The acting Of all was inimitable 1t was
really worthy Of the plot, than which nothing
more amusing in the way of dramatic repre-
sentation was ever put on the stage.
On the whole, the piece, as represented, gave
dali hs 10
audience present. We hear that the troupe
return to rs after performing short engage
ment at Richmond; and will take occasion,
during their stay, to play Cinderella, always
deserved favorite with the American public.
We predict for them another triumphant sea-
son here.
The Petition 1t seems to be currently
understood among public men here that two
distinguished back bone practitioners were
called in to doctor up the Kansas petition, so
unceremoniously kicked out of the Senate
chamber; Dr. Cumback and DR.. Greeley. Ac-
oofoing TO the popular belief DR.. C. superin-
tended the preparation of the first paper pre-
s'n'su' ana Dr. u that of the different one
subsequently ssntin purporting to be the same
document. These facts should be known 70
the public at large, as they serve to illustrate
the way in which capital for freedoms ca,s.,,
IL manufactured in Washington for tbs 49,,
sumption of Northern gullibility. The distap,
public may pretty safely write down most Of
the abolition peculiaritiss connected with the
PRESENTATION Of the so-caIled petition of the
Kansas Legislature as being simply few
"shrisks for freedom" from Doctors Cum
osek and Greeley, the accomplished accouch.
srs' who each assisted, for days. in the ''labor'
Of Its parturition. Freedom in Kansas p'-
thy srrant humbuggsry is only second to tina,
of"challenging Douglas.r'
sosh.-Ths Washington public have been
vastly amused with flash accounts in a do,.,
distant journals of the preparations which Col