The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-03-27
THE OPERA

The opera of Puritani has a romantic plot, and,
as all good plays should, ends with marriage and
to the general satisfaction of all concerned Il is
however, decidedly serious in its character, and
the composer, with more Judgment than has been
displayed by others of his race, has adapted his
music to suit his subject. Several fine situations
are afforded, of which Bellini has availed him
sell. The noticeable points were the aria for
soprano in the first act, I'm Vergine Vezzosa
which was admirably rendered by Miss Patti
and the quartette te o Cara, in which
Brignoli appeared for the first time this
season. We only speak the general senti-
ment which was current throughout the house
when we say that the young prima donna never
acquitted herself better than upon last evening.
Her voice was unusually full and clear, her execu-
ton perfect and her aching fully up to the mark
Her rendering of the Tn Vevgine Vezzosa, took
the house by storm and secured the first encore of
the evening. We thought Brignoli little stiff and
hardly recovered from his late severe illness but
he warmed up towards the close and gave great
satisfaction to his audience
In the second act Miss Patti gave the Oui La
Voce with great expression, and it deserved much
warmer acknowledgment than it received from the
audience. Following that, came the favorite
L'6ery Duo, which was fairly given by Ferri
and Susini, though the incessant trenlolo of the
former rather married the effect In the last act
the duo between Miss Patti and Brigno was well
enough sung, but the stiffness of the latter un-
favorably affected the performance; besides which,
the public have just cause of complaint that very
nearly onethird of this act was entirely omitted
We can understand that upon occasion these omis-
sions are necessary, but we think it inexcusable
that the discretion was so largely exercised last
night. The opera is not very long one, and
heretofore has been given in full, and we are at
loss to conceive why an exception should have been
made upon this occasion.
To sum up, it is universally conceded that Miss
Patti never appeared to better advantage than she
did last night. Her voice seemed fuller, her exc
cutlon more brilliant, and her acting more true to
lille than in any opera in which it has been our
pleasure to hear her. Those who have predicted
Tor her such successful future have right to ex
pect that all their antcipations will be realized
Brignoli, at intervals, gave some touches of his
admirable quality, but was not equal throupbout,
and, as he is an invalid, we feel no disposition to
criticise him closely. The other parts we have
already spoken of. The chorus, though small. did
their work efficiently, and the orchestra was fully
equal to the occasion.
Tonight IL PotiutO, otherwise known "a lta,ti
~, an opera of Donizettis, will be performed, in
which our established favorte Colson, and that
careful artist, Stige, are announced We have
not had the pleasure of hearing this work hereto
fore but learn that it is one of the best Efforts of
this talented mboser. 1t is eminently traoic in
its character, and is therefore adapted to the genius
OF Madame Colson, who certainly, in roles of this
class, cannot be exceed. ..