Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1866-06-08
The Italian opera 0penlng Night.


The appearance of the Ghioni and Susini
Italian Opera Troupe last night was greet
ed by large and fashionable audience at
the Opera House. The performance was eve
ry way worthy ofthe patronage OF our citi-
zens, and reflected the highest credit upon
he taste and judgment of the Manager, Mr..
Max Strakosch Seldom has an entertainment
so refined and enjoyable been presented to
Columbus audience, and nothing seemed
wanting to insure the qualification of the
most fastidious and critical.
The opera of the evening, Lucrezia Bor-
gia, was produced, both in the musical and
dramatic features, with rare felicity, as well
as fidelity of manner and expression. We
have lite room for specific notices. Mime
Ghioni was received with outbursts OF ap-
plause, which were frequently repeated
during her fine rendition of Lucrezia Bor-
gia, in which she blended strong passion,
grace and sensibility, with unusual power,
beauty and effect. In the character of Orsi-
nj, Mime Strakosch exhibited her great
ability as dramatic artistic. She produced
a most thrilling effect, and carried the
audience away by the witchery of her sing
ing and acting. ...
Sig. Errani exhibited his signal skill as
tenor in the part OF Gennarro, of which he
gave vivid representation. In rendering
the Duke, Sig. Susini, was also happy In
being in fine voice, and giving due promi-
nence to the leading traits in the character,
Sig. MassiO as Jeppo displayed the power
of music and song in depicting the worst
passions that can acquire an ascendency
over the human soul. AS Oloferno, Sig. Bel
lini showed that he is a most superb BARI
tone, combining with his mastery vocaliz-
alton, remarkable dramatic power, pos
sessed by few singers. ...
But we must generalize by saying that
the characters were all well represented,
and that the Opera was in every respect so
well produced that it should have been wit
messed by every person of the least dramat-
ic or musical taste.
We are informed that, in consequence of
unavoidable circumstances beyond the con-
troll of the management, it will be impos-
sible to produce this evening Crispino la
Comare (the Cobbler and the Fairy, and
therefore, an Opera by the author of Luz
crezia Borgia tDonizetti) Lucia di Lammer-
mor-will be substituted.
The cast in this Opera will be a superior
one, Mile Pauline Cauissa, and Sigs. Err
rani and Maria appearing in it. The ar
gument or plot of the Opera of Lucia di
Lammermoor is as follows:
Sir Edgar Ravenswood, poor but proud
Scotch nobleman, becomes enamOred OF
Lucia, the sister of Lord Ashton, who holds
the forfeited Ravenswood estates. and is
still further embittered against Sir Edgar
by political prejudices. Added to this, he
desires to effect marriage between Lucia
and Lord Arthur Bucklaw, that he may re-
pair fortune somewhat impaired by dis
sipatiOn. Lucia, however, loves the land
less Edgar better than the Lord of Buck
law, and when Edgar is sent on an embassy
to France. she plights her troth to him.
While in France, Sir Edgar dispatches
many fond missives to his beloved Lucia,
but they are intercepted by her brother,
who is ever ready, beside, to put the worst
construction upon the apparent neglect OF
the absent lover. LUCIA, HOWeNtI, oGlll
loves, in spite of neglect, and her brother,
annoyed by her steady faith. and urged on
by his personal wants, not less than by Bit
ter hate ofSir Edgar, at last forges paper
tending to prove that Sir Edgar is untaith-
tul to her.
Torn by conflicting emotions, glowing
with love, tortured by jealousy, and gOaded
almost to madness by the ceaseless taunts
and solicitations of her brother, the unhap-
py Lucia at length, unwillingly, consents
TO become the bride of Bucklaw. The
dreaded marriage takes place, but amid the
festivities of the guests, after the newly
welded pair have retired, grOans are heard
proceeding from the nuptial chamber; on
entering which, Lord Bucklaw is discover
ed, bleeding to death. The storm of passion
has proved too much for Lucia, and now,
in wild mania she brandishes the sword OF
her husband whom she has slain, menacing
the hOrror-stricken guests. Soon her senses
return, but only as life departs. The ter
-rible event which completes her catalogue
of miseries, and precipitates her death.
startles and wakes remOrse in the heart OF
Lord Henry Ashton, her brother, and he
contemplates, with mingled terror and
grief. the result OF his Vaccinations. Sir
Edgar returns, to take last look upon her
whom he loved, and deemed false, but is un.
deceived-finds that she has been faithful
unto death, and mingles his tears with
those of her preceptor, Raymond, over the
sad fate of the unfortunate Lucia.
The scene of this Opera is laid in Scot
land, and the facts upon which the plot IL
based, occurred in 1860