Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-11-16
THE ITALIAN OPERA.
From the New Orleans Crescent .IlI

The arrival and debut of Max Stra-
kosch's Italian Opera Company, is the
theatrical event of the week first and
best worthy of our mention. They com
menced at the st. Charles Theatre on
Monday last, in Troratore. A strong
curiosity to see and hear Irfre, who had
been heralded as a first-rate tenor, con-
tributed as much as anything else to col
lecting, with one exception, the largest
audience to which they have played
during the week. The skepticisms OF
our people upon the subject of theatrical
regulations is quite proverbial. Rather
than adopt the fat OF other metropolitan
communities upon artistic, and particu'
larly musical merit, as provincial cities
are wont to do, they prefer to call up the
aspirant for artistic celebrity to the bar
of their criticism, and pass themselves
upon his merits. The applause with
which they greeted Irfres first aria, and
which was constantly repeated during
the week, was therefore the result of their
unbiased critical approval, of which m
artist may well be proud, however mer
tied it certainly was. His missrere was
splendid, and was enthusiastically ap.
plauded. In Ernani on Tuesday
though he showed some evidence Of ia
tigue, the inevitable result of singing
Verdi two evenings in succession, he was
still in fine voice. He manages with
great skill the extraordinary voice which
nature gave him, and without disregard
to taste and musical laws performs voca
feats which few singers whom we have
seen could accomplish. The ut te pOit
yius is nothing with him but child's play
Were it not that it seems to require ne
effort, wo would advise him not to use i
too oftan. h'Ff g. f
Susini has come back with the SAINT
gloriaus voice which we have heard be
fore. His appearance always seems tC
produce an electrical effect upon the au
dieuer, and smiling beaming counte
nances ali around the house watch witt
intense interest to catch his every note
lcok and gesture. He was good in Er
mani, but his success in that piece .paleC
before the great triumph which hi
achieved in Crispino la Comdre, OF
wednesday. His histrionic powers arr
here called into play more than they arr
usually in opera, and none can be mori
comic than he when his role requires 1t
The success of this now opera here ha
been equal to the reputation which |
brought with it. Though We did not dis
cover in it any particular aria which Il
ant to rank with the gems OF hossinl
Neyerbeer and Verdi's operas, 1t is iui
of harmony throughout, and replete witt
nl.asiug melodies from end to end. Th
nlot has been published and republishet
In our daily papers. The charming
Mile Canissa made her FIRST appearance
This year as Annetta, Her Yoic
seems softer and fresher than 1t was as
wear. and if Susini was incomparabl,
comic as the cobbler, she was coquettls'
and piquGnte to perfection as his vile
| Their duetto, "Addio Forme," was re
ceiysd with rapturous applause.
I'm Balio IN Hdseherd, on Friday
brought out all the best force of the CON
pany. except the great sasse Maria
Who has a fine baritone voice and hand
some physique, did very creditably,, an
wa, particularly felicitous in bis solo Q
the last act, which, to our mind, is tn
| gem oil the opera. 80 =,
Madam Ghioni's rendition of Amelia
was incomparably excellent. II we hav
not mentioned the name Of this giflo
soncstress earlier in this review, 1t wa
becaus. we were reserving our tribute c
,nnrobation and admiration for her 81
nerb impersonatio of "Lucrezia" on Sai
nrday This was her great triumph G
the week, achieved, too, before larG
and enlightened audience who faced th
rain storm Of the evening to attend th
production Of this splendid work OF Dor
izeiti's genius
one with which Nine. Ghiom best ieenti
eos herself in the mind Of her audience
She has every advantage Of hgure, eA
precision and voice TO gu the part to PEI
lection. Her histrionie powers are
the first order, and she is equally tslic
tous in portraying the passionate love 9
the woman, and the raving solicitude
the mother, however inceStuous histor
may partrny her. Her ilteiicS;
rereno brerisR vas given better tina
We ever heard it before, except by Grls
IL would be unjust to Errani TO om
mentioning that he sang the part
Genuaro quite cfeditably. He Is
mains taking actor, and uses to the be-
advantage the voice which he sti
TIE orchestra and chorus at ths 5
Charles are both well composed, thong
ltbe latter particularly they are bot
rather small for the rendition Of sue
master pieces as the company h'
/ brought out As we see ausfannounee
upon the bills for the coming week, v