Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-01-26

FIRST NIGHT OF THE ITALIAN OPERA
The Italian Opera, in the full sense Of the
term, was inaugurated in Cleveland at the
Academy of Music, last evening, and We
are most proud to say was welcomed by an |
unsxoeptionabIe audience, both SIS to
numbers, taste and discrimination. The
Opera was Lucrezia BOrgis,-One Of the most
thrilling in point of tragic effect and start
ling denouemsnt in the whole range Of the
opera, while at the same time possessing
some of the finest scenes for a'thorough dis
play of the singers powers. There are few
amusement-g goers, however, who are not
familiar with the drama, and the general
characteristics being the same as those OF
the opera, we shall fOrego any description.
The leading characters last evening were IN
the hands of the following brilliant Grt'ste'
"Lucrszia BOrgia," Nine Vera LOrinij
nMafso orsini," M'Ils Morensi; "GsnarrO,"
Sig. stefani; "Duke Alfonso" Sig. Morsln:
"Gubetta," Sig. BarilIi; "GsEsIIa," Sig.
PERM, ''Rusting gbclIo," Sig. XimeneE; "Ma-
fei," Sig. Hartman. This powerful cas-.
could not fail to win the closet attention and
most enthusiastic plauiits of the discerning
audience, and to Undue the performance with
the most intense interest, and, as a cOnss-
ouspce, from the moment the first seeue was
fairly introduced, to the final dropping of the
curtain upon the tragic close Of the unfor-
tunate Gsnarro's life, peal upon peal OF
enthusiastic applause literally shook the
walls of the Academy, many times lulling
almost to q calm, and again suddenly, as II
bv inspiration, bursting forth with renewed
strength and power. 1t was impossible foE
the listener to fix the attention upon any in
dividuaI in this grand galaxy for especial
commendation, and so we cannot speak ex'
oePt in general way-PrOnOuncing all ez'
cellent in the highest degree. Tho acting oi
Nine Lorini as "LuoreEia Borgia," one OF
the most difficult Of roles, was artistic to
fault, rendering the various phases Of th'
perfdious Lucrezia's character with tIutl
and power rarely witnessed. Fer voice
clear, rich and melodeOus, and the lOfties
fights of the music are reached with aPPa
rently no effort, while the softer notes ar
/ given with peculiar sweetness. She is witha
) a lady Of most attractive personal appearance
Mile Morensi's "Msffeo orsini" was unex
ceptionsbIe both in the acting and singing
and she was the recipient of very fattsrin
! commendation from the audience. Th
G5u.sro" of Stefani was most admirabl
rsndsred--the youthful fire, the in--+-7i'sHf'
l and manly courage Of the hero being care
! 10y preserved and correctly portrayed. Th
"Duks Alfonso" Of Morelli was
correct and admirable performance, an
received just recognition BY the audienc'
5 Ia short, all filed to overfowing the measul
/. of expectation, and delighted a large Prt
:, portion Of the most critical Of our citizsns
b an extent that it has never been our good fol
time to witness before.
The opera for this, the second evening,
:! another of Dgnizstti's grand composition
- "Lucia diLammermOor," Mile castri maxim
her debut as "Lucia," role which she h'
made, by her unexsmpIed rendition Of
/. peculiarly hor own. stefain, tho great tenO
4 sad Morrill,, the unrivalIed baritone, who
d appearance last evening met with such gre
= Success, will appear again-Stefain in Il
very prominent role of EdgardO, and MOri
as Aschton. The opera is Of great interest, al
It abounds With tho finest music. Letth Ac
: deny be again filed to its full capacity.