Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-12-03

ton of Meyerbeer's L4ficaine drew
another large and fashionable audience
to the New Memphis Theatre on Satur-
day night, who appeared to be delighted
with the charming singing, magnificent
music, rich dresses and beautiful scenery.
Thrust be gratifying to Manager Thomp-
son to see and feel that his expensive
efforts to provide first class operas in
proper style have been appreciated by
our citizens, who avail themselves of this
rarely offered privilege by crowding tn
theatre nightly. This is as it should be.
Tonight Bellinls grand opera Norma
will be produced with splendid cast.
Some of the beautiful music of this opera
is femiliar to nearly everybody, and the
plot may be summed up as follows: The
Romans having effected the subjugation
of Gaul, committed the governments of
the province to polio" Pro-Consul
who became enamoured of Norma"
daughter of the Arch-Druia (Druidism
being at that time the religion of the
country, and who, besides the respect
awarded her from the consideration Of
her birth and connections, was regarded
by the superstitous multitude as the
unerring oracle through whom their
grand deity Irminsul, condescended TO
convey to his faithful votaries his divine
DEGREES. Norma having been secret
ly united to Polio, the Roman Cover
nor, TIL consequence was the birth of
two children, which circumstance she
keeps secret from all, excepting " Clo-
tide" "Pollio afterwards deserts
" Norma" and transfers his affections to
4" Adalgisa," young priestess of the
Temple of lrminsul, who permits sim
liar passion to kindle in her bosom for
the faithless Roman, who, after much
persuasion, succeeds in gaining her con.
sent to abandon the Temple, and fly with
him to Rome. Remorse, however, soon
takes possession of her breast, and in her
agony, she resolves to reveal all to Nor
ma" who is already laboring under the
influence of sighted love. Polio )"
makes his appearance at the instant that
" Adalgisa is relating her story to
Norma" whose anger is transformed
into the widest fury, on being informed
by "Adalgisa" that he is the corruptor
of her youthful heart, and she bitterly
reproaches "Pollio" for his infdelity and
baseness. Norma" seeks her children,
still under the influence of rage, and
bent on their destruction, which she is
on the point of accomplishing, when
the full tide Of maternal feeling rushes
into her heart, and arrests her uplifted
arm. She next resolves to destroy her
self, and as preliminary step, requests
"Adalgisa" to take charge Of her chill
dren, who, moved by her distress, en-
deavors to allay her perturba ton, and
premises to persuade Polio TO re-
turn to her. In anticipation of her sue
cess, Norma" becomes more tran
quilted, and INDUCES hopes of brighter
days. The illusion is of short duration.
A" Clotilde soon after informs her that
Adalgisa has been unsucc essful, and
that the Roman persists in his determi-
nation to possess her. Intelligence
soon after arrives that Roman has
been discovered in a certain part Of the
Temple, exclusively appropriated to
the use of the Virgins, who,
on being introduced, proves to
be Polio" Another scene of re-
elimination ensues between him with
Norma" in which she threatens
the life of Adalgisa." Polio pleads
for her, but the other is memorable, and
orders. the pile to be prepared, and, on
the name of the victim being demanded,
she publicly announces herself All
present are struck with horror and
amazement, anxious to know the nature
of her crime; this she reveals to her
father, by informing him that she is a
mother. "Pollio's" first passion rekin-
dies in his breast at this, her devotion,
and he gladly ascends the pile with her,
after she has recommended her children
and Clotilde to the care of her father.