The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-10-16
The Italian ODaia.

DEBUT OF CIORGIo RoNCoNI As --'cRIsPINo.r
RiCCi's Cr{sp'HO e ia COn1aTe was performed
last evening at the Academy OF Music for the
first time. 1t is fine work which, without
being exceedingly comic, is, nevertheless plea
SAINT throughout, and abounds in sparkling
musical gems and characteristic expressions 1t
is just such comic opera as will prove pleasing
to vast number of peope-to the masses as
well as to those who may be ,denominated con-
noiSSeurs de n1uSique. Without being intensely
funny in itself, it is capable of being rendered
in a very jocose way, and herein lies The success
of last evening. If Max Maretzek had the whole
world TO select from, we doubt if he could
obtain artistes more suitable to their respective
roles. This is no idle compliment as every per-
son who witnessed CrisDiaO last evening will
testify.
The Academy was not crowded as we expected
to see it. The parquette and parquette circle
were filled with very brilliant and critical
audience, but the balcony was but sparsely in
vested with people. In the upper tiers there
we're many persons, but no portion of the
Academy was over-crowded. This is a pltv.
We assure our friends that Mr. Maretzek is
giving these magnificent representations of
operas by the greatest masters with the most
admirable casts, at an expense nightly of nearly
fifteen hundred dollars, and any one can caIcu-
late the pecuniary loss or gain to The manage
ment by a casual glance over the house. Last
evening the receipts were but tri6e beyond the
expenses, and we hope this may not be said of
any other performance.
What the audience lacked in dimensions il
made up in well-de6ned enthusiasm, and the
most hattering reception was given to each
artiste upon his or her appearance, and the
applause, though gererous, was of that SOFT
which stamped Cr,spHo perfect success, borh
as to composition and execution, and we trust
that it will be repeated during the season.
OF the great Rouconi we have scarcely room
to speak to-day. AS an actor he is unapproach
able. His humor is most unctuous and delicate
| and even while executing the most difficult
musical passages, he never loses his presence of
mind, but forces his facial changes through the
music without marring a single note or even in
| the slightest manner disappearing the artistes
| supporting him, except where the irrepressible
hilarlty of the audience takes audible expression
in bursts of laughter. Throughout the entire
work last evening" Ronconi kept his admiring
audience in good humor, and the more we
saw OF him the better he pleased us.
Ronconi has not powerful voice, but his
management Of it is wonderful. This was best
| appreciated III the grand wrangling trio in the
third act, where Bellini and Antonucci, throw
ing in their powecul voices in most exciting
and difficult soend, did not render the clear and
well-chosen tones OF rhe deJutam The least indis-
tnct Indeed so delighted were the people with
the smelng OF ihese thr}e distinguished artistes,
mat ne audience rose and shouted their
"oraVos' ana "encores" in manner that made
the mouse resound again The trio was re-
peated, ana the applause seemed to gather
strength oy the repetition. We have never