Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-04-25

ITALIAN 0PERA-MAssAEIELLo spite
of the disagreeable character of the weather,
one of the best houses Of the season assem-
bled on its closing night to greet the produe-
ton of Auber's Mssssniello. The opera is
perhaps the finest composition of its great
author. Interspersed in it are some most
enchanting gems of melody, such as the bar
eareIIe in the third act, the " SIumber Song"
and the Fisherman's Prayer" The finer
portions were last night given with spirit
and care, but in some respects the interest Of
the performance dragged lamentably. The
noticeable defects in the rendition of the
opera were, however, quite stoned for by the
splendid manner in which the finer arias,
duets and choruses were given. Madame
Whiting, IS Eivirs, displayed the compass
and fexibility of her unrivalled voice to per-
fection. She was warmly aPplauded and
enoored in all her arias, and sang in con-
ceTted parts with exquisite grace and sweet
ness. Madame Whiting is decidedly the
reigning star of Mr.. Grsu's bright galaxy
at least in Cleveland. Madame Ficher, as
Alonzo, made very charming and dashing,
though petite cavalier, but her voice is not
equal even to the moderate requirements Of
the role. "The MOronsi'' would have done
much better justice to it. The FeneIIa of
Mile Frsnohetti is not above criticism, but,
though the pantomime Of the dumb girl
forms an essential portion of the
opera, it is hardly necessary to
consider its correctness here. stefani's
MasssnisllO was great. We cannot say too
much in praise of this matchless singer and
actor, whose successes this season, as Robert,
Ernsni, Polio, and now as MassanielIo, have
been so marked. The 6aTczrslIe in the third
act was given by him with exquisite beauty,
and encored with persistence and determine
ton. Herr FOrmes sang with his usual pow
sr, as Pietro. The duet in the third act be-
tween Formes snd stefani was loudly en-
eored, but no response was deigned. The
other artists did finely, and the chorus and
orchestra reflected great credit upon them-
selves and upon their accomplished cOnduc-
tor, Sig. Muzio.
The season which closed with MsssanieIlo
on Saturday night has not been, pecuniariIy,
successful one. We say this with regret,
because, musicalIy speaking, it has been be-
yond comparison the finest treat our citizens
have ever had the opportunity of enjoying.
Simply to have brought out Faust in the
style and with the cast with with which it
was given here would be credit enough to
suffice an ordinary impresario for an entire
season. But Mr.. Grau is not SO easily salts
fed. He has given US the master pieces Of
the most famous opsrstie oomposers-Flo-
tow, Verdi, GOunod, Meysrbser, Bellini,
Mozart, and Auber. He has given us
Don Giovanni in 3 style which has
eqalled the desires of even the most
enthusiastic admirers Of Mozart. He
has entertained us with the airy and
charming Martha, !" the simple and beau
tiful idyI "Dinorah," the tragic " Un Bal
10 in Msschers," the mysterious Robert"
the romantic " Ernani, /" =" Norma " the sub
lime and terrible, and " MassanielIo." And
these operas have been rendered by com
Plete and powerful company, composed of
such artistes as Madames Lorini and Whit
ing, Miles MOrensi, Cordier and Castri
signOrs Stefani, MOreIIi, Amodio, BariIli and
TamarO, Herr Carl Fermss, and other most
successful singers, with chorus and orches-
ira of the greatest merit. 1t would be hard
to conceive of more brilliant success, uu-
sically speaking, than Mr.. Grsu has this
season achieved.