The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1866-03-24
LOCAL.

TIFF Notwithstanding the inclem
oncv Of the weather. and the unfriendly stric
lures of the author of "Norfolk hospitality,
large number of the lovers of good music
we're present at the Opera House last night
~ witness the "Barber of Seville" which was
rendered with pleasing effect by the com
pany. :..
Mad. Patti Strakoch, that welcome
f,vorite sustained well her part, both in sing
ing and acting aE
The announcement on the bills that she
would introduce that popular ballad "Kath-
Ieen Mavourneen' during the entertainment
was anxiously and impatiently awaited. But
the audience were fully compensated for the
dolay. In the 3rd act she sang tiff posi-
hle--better than we ever heard her sing it,
and for the encore sang within mile Of
Ednboro town.
In ballad music Mad. S., is exquisite, and
,be applause she last evening received was
onlv equalled by that outburst which followed
tbe incident in the shaving scene
Without intending to reply to the "stric-
tures" alluded to above De are authorized to
state, that the opinion Of the highest musical
authority in Norfolk differs entirely Nth that
expressed in the elsborote articles referred TO.
He states that with the exception of the
mise en- scene" and numbers. which could
hardly be expected in Norfolk, everything
else is, as could be desired and fully worthy the
patronage of the lovers of music and the pub
lie generally
The artists are of high order, and render
the music faithfully. The Barber" was
splendidly given, and we hope the public will
not be mised, but show their appreciation of
unjust criticism by giving them a crowded
house tonight when they will hear "Faust"
an Opera of worldwide celebrity
The following is synopsis of the plot and
incidents:
Faust, German student, after a life of
meditation and labonous research, becomes
disguised with the nothingness of human
knowledge and his own inability to unrave
the mystic arcana of nature He summons
to his aid the Spirit of Evil, who appears to
him under the form of Mephistopheles
Through the supernatural power of the lat
3 ter, Faust is straightway restored to youth
a with all its passions and illusions, and is, at
y the same time, endowed with personal beauty
II and luxurious garb, Mephistophe.es, as in
+ vision, reveals to him the beauteous village
n maid Margaret, with whom the student falls
81 simultaneously in love. He longs to become
acquainted with her, and his wish is soon
afterwards gratified Margaret, equally
noted for her loveliness and for her virtue
has been left by her sodier-brother, Val
entine, under the care of Dame Martha,
worthy but not very vigilant parsonage
The maiden at first rejects the strangers adj
vances, but Faust, aided by the demoniaca in
tluences Of Mephistophees, (who is anxious to
destroy another human being) urges lis suit
with such ardor that Margarets resistance is
at length overcome. Valentine Margaret's
T. brother, on returning with his comrades from
3 the wars, learns what has occurred; he chal-
4 lenges bis sisters seducer, but, through the in
tervcnton of Mephstopheles he is slain in the
encounter. Margaret, horror-stricken at the
calamity of which she is the immediate cause,
gives way to despair; her reason becomes aAec-
ted, and i'll a paroXysm Of despair she kills her
infant For this she is thrown into prison.
Faust, aided by Mephistopheles, obtains access
to the cell in which she is immured. They both
eagerly urge her tofiy, but Margaret, in whom
hoIer feelings have gained the ascendency,
Spufns their proffered aid, and places her sole
reliance on prayer and repentance. Overcome
at last by sorrow and remorse, with an earnest
Fl prayer Tor forgiveness on her lips, the unhap-
py girl expires. Mephistopheles trumphs at
the catastrophe he has brought about; but a
chorus OF heavenly voices is heard proclaiming
'hat there is pardon for the repentant sinner
and the Evil One, ioed and overcome crouches
81 Suppiantly as the accents of Divine love and
forgiveness make themselves heard, while the
n spirit of Margaret, borne by minsterng angels,
Swatted upwards to the eternal home.