The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-10-29
CITY INTELLIGENCE.
THE ITALIAN OPERA.


beauty and fashion of Washington. We noticed num-
ben of musical professors and amateurs also and we be-
lieyc that ALL without exception, awarded to the per-
fonnance the credit OF being unsurpassed by any
that has ever been Witnessed in this city. "Il
Trovatoro" is of the best of verdi's com
positions, Astounding in musical gems, and with Mes
danes Parodi and Stakosch as principal soprano and
contrato and Sgnors Bgnoi and Amodio as the tenor
and baytone, the conceptions of the author could not
but DO faithfully rendered The chorus is large and CT
ectiye, and the Instrumentation of the orchestra was
certainly very fine In the first act Madame Parod sung
the aria Taeea la notte pacida In exquisite taste and
warmly applauded The anvil chorus at the open
ing Of the second act much admired the second
of this act, being short and not essential to the
connection Of the story, omitted Next came that
beautiful aria by Amodo, "Il balen del sorriso
which was given in truly artistic manner We will not
attempt TO point out all the various passages which drew
down the apturous applause Of the audience for the
whole performance succession of triumphs and it
difficult TO tell whether the acting the singing
deserved the greatest commentator The passage the
close of the third where Maurice declares that he will
his mother perish in the attempt was 50 much
admired that signor Bgnoli twice called before the
curtain The Miserere in the fourth act and the aria
sung by Azucena while dreaming forming an accompani-
ment to the duet between Leonora and Manrieo were
especially spoken Of deserving OF the highest praise
From this sketch II will be that the musical enter
tanment furnished citizens last evening was one of
ordinary character, and the engagement of this
troupe is limited to three nights advise all read
who love music to improve the present opportunity.
Tonight Madam Colson will appear in the great role of
yioetta in Verdi popular Opera, ''La Travata the
lost one and win be supported by the following distin-
gushed artists Signom Elena appears Flora Bervoix
the friend Of yoleta Signora sapucd takes the charac
Tar of If
Ii enor takes the character of Alfred Germont the low
of yioleta and Sgnor Amodo barytone) that of Gil
| orgo Germont father Of Alfred The story Is briefly
this Volca Valery fashionable griscte upon becom-
ing acquainted with Alfred, falls in love with him. and
her passion is recipocated She retres from the gay
in which she has heretofore mingled and pledges
herself to be true to her lover Areds father however
seeks her in her country house. and impoes her to
Gce her love for Alfred and renonnce him entirely and
he urges her pcsevorngE that she at length consents
in order to carry out this determination she attends the
tate in Flora palace in company with the Baron Dou-
phol which Alfred jealousy and he casts her off
in violent rage throwing her portrait at her feet when
she nts in the of her friends The third act opens
with Violetta sleeping the bed she is suffering from
Sickness caused by the sacrifice she has made At length
Alfred discovers that she still loves him. and asks pardon
for his shness and his father gives his consent to their
union but it is then too late Volea il beyond the
physician SKILL and in the joy of reconciliation with
her lover falls back and expires when the curtain falls
This opera is founded upon the celebrated tragedy OF
Camille" in which Rachel achieved such hstrionic
triumphs
TIE Botanic GARDENS, at the foot of the Capitol
grounds, in fine condition. Mr.. Smith, the SUI
perntendent there, who is most skiul and intelligent
gentleman with perfect knowledge Of his profession
never reaxes his Iabos to effect valuable improvements
~
the grounds His lighthouses always present to the eye
the most admirable arrangement and perfect order and
that the plants have been placed in winter quarters
and properly labelled visit to them is douby interest
ing to the admcr of Nature in her loveest form Very
recently, Mr. Smith has added largely to the extensive
variety of specimens here of and beautiful plants
which hc has procured In of the most extensive con-
servaores in the northern Cities and he constantly ma
king arrangements to obtain at the earliest notice any
new and interesting rarity which may be announced
Among his late accessions, notice unusually fine
specimen Of the ancient paper plant Egyptian papy
rus He has now in flower exceedingly handsome
specimen Of the pampas grass of South America which
attracts great attention and admiration from all visitors
Those who have leisure hour cannot do better than to
devote it to stroll through the gardens.
An ADVERTISING SHEET We have recently seen hand
soely printed cardgotten up by Messrs. Goggin and
press containing about hundred advertisements most
of which are ornamcnted with wood cuts appropriate to
the various branches of business designated This card
is printed In coos and reflects much credit on the taste
and skill Of its projectors and publishers. 1t is styled
Merchants Business Directory - and copies are to be
framed and placed in the principal hotels, board
steamboats, and in other places where they will attract
attention. and thus mpar information to the locale
and business Of enteprsng citizens Several who
have seen this card have expressed their disappointment
at not being included in its columns and informed
that Messrs G. and W. propose to issue another sheet
the benefit Of their customers Those who may wish to
adopt this method of advertising their may leave
word ut McGills printing Office and they will be waited
on The Union still continues to insert advertise
mens on reasonable terms
/ COLLISION IN A FoG.-We learn from the Alexandria
Gazette that the steamer Mount Vernon her trip on
Wednesday down the river to Acquia Creek, when be-
tween Jones Point and Fort Washington in very dense
fog ran into long boat loaded with firewood almost
cutting her in two and sinking her deep the cargo
would permit The mate and few Of the hands of the
long boat and towed the vessel ashore where they left
her. and went to Washington to procure another boat to
take the wood off Tho mate of the steamer states that
the fog the time of the collision dense that the
pilot could see further than the bow of the boat from
the pilot house! He heard noise ahead and reversed
the engine but the could not be stopped in time
to prevent the collision.