Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-04-13

THE OPERA--Our Opera season COM |
menced last evening, and the opening was,
musically speaking at least, most brilliant
and complete success. The house, to be sure,
was thin one, and we experienced feeling
of shame and regret that so little interest
had been manifested by our citizens in this
great musical event. The rainy night and
muddy walks must bear much Of the respon-
sibility, however, of the poor audience. We
hope to chronicle crowded house. to-night.
The audience present last night was snthu-
sisstic enough to make amends for its thin
ness. And in fact no one, not made of ice,
could have resisted feeling of delighted
and fervid enthusiasm at such music and
such singing as was enjoyed last night. The
| opera itself is q charming and beautiful one,
combining sentiment and jollity in most ex-
quisite proportions. Aria succeeds aria in
musical procession $50 to spesk) of charming
variety, and one listens with increasing in
terest and enthusiasm from the beginning to
the close.
Carl Formes, who made his debut in the
great part of PIunkett, composed expressly
for him, was received with fitting enthusi-
asm, and sung and acted through the whole
opera with most captivating abandon and
Jrtsqueris. He was never in better voice OF
better spirits. He succeeded especially well
in the Spinning Wheel song, and in the aria
and chorus 10 the drinking song. Castri was
never in better voice, and her bird-like tones
won for her the most enthusiastic plaudits
She was especially successful in the aria
&" Qui sola Virgin rosa and, in response tC
/ a rspturous encore, sang the same air to itl
, wsll-known English words " The Last Rose
, of Summer" This beautiful melody seemI
to be almost the foundation Of the opera, s,
{ deliciOusly is it entwined with its music, snC
with such loving reitsration is it repeated
MOrensi was, as ever, irresistible, and, as thu
: pert and sprightly Nancy, won all hearts
: Tamsro made very acceptible Lionel, AM
| coletti, Ximenes, &c, filed their respective
parts well. We note with especial pleasu1
the improvement in the orchestra, which ha
o been greatly enlarged and strengthens
j since the company left.
Verdi's "Ballo in Mssebers," will, a
= announced in the advertisement, to whic
t We call special att ,ntiOn, be produce
= tn-nieht. for the first time in this city. TIL
scene of this opera is laid In DostOn, tower
n the close of the seventeenth century, at
r fabulous era when Richard, Count of War
Q wick, was Governor of that Province, an
p Samuel and Tom were his enemies; whe
j. Reinhart, creole, was the Governors Sec
g retary, and the creOle's wife was in love wit
9 the Count. This plot is essentially that c
v Auber's Gustavss III. Madame Lorir
performs Amelia, Mile Castri, a page Oscar
u and Morensi, UIrics, black astrologer, Will
Stefani is the amstive Count, and Morel
i the conspiring husband. The opera has sc
quired an extended reputation. During th
masked ball, if any of fhe auditors desire t
" make their first appearance on any stage, b
% procuring cards of admission, they will b
% provided with masks, dOminoss, or Othe
- costumes, and have the privilege of jOinin
the groups during the last act. We hav
g no doubt that many will avail themselves q
: this privilege.