The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-03-30
THE OPERA.


During the last two weeks our musical public
has had the opportunity of hearing and deciding
upon the merits of two Prime Donne, possessing
each undoubted talents, but totally unlike-both as
regards requirements and natural gifts The one
| Madame Coson-is a matured artist, full of
genius, thoroughly educated as vocalist, and as
actress possessed of talents of the highest order
Her natural gifts are, person elegant and impos-
ing, manner graceful and dignifed, face of in
tellectual and physical beauty, mobile and capable
of an infinite variety and intensity of expression.
To these must be added a voice. rich, full and SYM
pathetic-under complete management-producing
at the pleasure of its owner effects either subdued
or forcible-interpreting with equal fidelity, the
gentleness of love, the agones of despair, or the
ferceness of rage-personating with equal truth
fulness, an Agatha, a Violetta or a Lucrezia
Possessing these advantages, it is no matter of
surprise that this lady should at this time occupy
the very first position on the Lyric stage.
The other artist to whom we have alluded is
Miss Patt-''little Patti" as until recently we
have been in the habit of calling her. As prima
donna she is yet only eight months DID, but in that
time has created decided sensation, and has given
promise of brilliant future. She compares with
Coson as the opening bud does with the magnif-
developed, her action girlish, and her manner un-
formed. 1t is only her vocalization, which, under
skillful training, has become perfection ITSELF But
if her voice is not yet full and volumnous, it is,
nevertheless, clear and penetrating-if it lacks the
power required for great tragic effects it possesses
the sweetness and delicacy which made her on
Wednesday night very charming Martha. her
acting juvenile it has the advantage of the gave
ty and exuberance of youth and this is what we
require in Rosina a Zerlina. We think we are
safe, therefore, in saying that the young Patti is
still prodigy, and equally safe in predicting that
time will give her all she now lacks, and ensure
her high position in the world of art. OF attrac-
| tive person, undoubted natural abilities, we'll.
grounded musical education, aptitude in all that
relates to her art it needs only application and eff
fort to enable her to reach the summit of her hopes
The merits of these two artists, of whom we have
thus taken the liberty speak, will be tested to-
night in the greatest opera which has yet been
written-we mean the Don Giouanni of Mozart.
1t is not our purpose, now, to enter into an
analysis of this masterpiece of musical composition
that will be given after to-nght's performance
but desire simply to call attention to the powerful
cast, announced for the occasion. Miss Patti will
appear as Zerlino, role which she has heretofore
| hieu W SIedI duNdHtaPe. Mdualne COISOn VIII
sustain the difficult part of Donna Anna, Madame
| Strakosch, that of Donna Eluira, Stigelli, that
of Don OHauio and the rest of the cast, en-
braces Amodio, Susini, Ferr, and others. The
representation, therefore, promises to be the most
complete ever given here, and we expect to see
every nook and corner of the theatre filled.
Der Freischutz last night, with Mesdames Colson
and Straskosch and Signori Stgelli and Junca,
drew the best house of the present week, and
went off with great eclot. The late hour at which
the opera finished prevents any lengthy crit
icism in to-day's paper. We have only time to
say that Madame Colson gave the prayer in the
| I'd act as we have never before heard it, and was
superb throughout. Madame Strakosch effective
ly executed her part, and Stgelli, by his artistic
performance and admirable acting won fresh aures.
We desire to mention that, in appreciation of
Miss PATHS merits, the Vice President of the Uni
| ted States the Speaker of the House, and large
number of Senators and members of the House.
have invited her to give concert in Washington
on next Saturday night, with which request she
has complied. This is high and deserved CON-
pliment.