The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1868-10-19


TINS OpsRA.--ZdubaJio'e THE Magic
Flute was produced by GrSu's troupe at
the Burtis opera house, Davenport, on Sat.
urday evening, to the largest house which
had as yet greeted them. This ancient and
delightful production of the groatest Of com.
posers was cast with the full strength of the
company, aud carried off the palm from their
previous performances. Mozart has lavish
ed the wealth of his great soul upon this
exquisite opera, as if his majestic and beau.
tiful ideas we're inexhaustible. II IL the
grandest of poetry CONCEALED into harmony
and melody which haunt US as dim aud
passing glimpse into Elysium, where such
music is sempiternal. Some glorious old
anthems aud airs which have been whistled
and sung since our childhood, and whose
source we were unable to trace, find their orr.
gin here. "Strike the Cymbals, an anthem
of the last generation, Canton good old
Presbyterian hymn, and that cantata OF good
fellowship so often sung, over what Dick
Swiveller would call the "rosy wine to an
accompaniment of hiccoughs--"Away with
Melancholy, all these and numerous 9th
ers trace their origin to this grand old oPe,
ra. 1t is to be regretted, however, that so
invaluable q gem is so poorly set. 1t is no.
torious that the story is iucomprehensible
and meaningless, and that no opera has en-.
crusted round its music 80 wretched play.
1t is strange that Mozart should have found
matter of inspiration sufficient to have pro
duced this masterpiece. 1t il such Il meta
physical, complicated German plot as some
DR.. DeufeIstrockh might draw from the
wreathing clouds of his tobacco smoke; a
flying monster that cleaves the air without
wings. In its production Saturday night
Frederick threw her soul into acting the
sublime nonsense of the play, and singing
the celestial music. A shower Of plaudits
rewarded her every effort. She volunteered
in the character Of PdpageHG, and was only
n shade prettier and more melodious in this
additional responsibility. Steinecke, in the
character Of Papagcno, that lying, cowardly
fowler, with his motley suit of tattors and
patches, and his cage upon his back, acted
his part with all the primitive simplicity
of "Man Friday" and was irresistibIy
funny. The duet between Papageno and
his savage little spouse was sung with so
much archness that the house gave them
an unanimous recall. The celebrated trio
and the two bass solos of SarastrO, (Wein'
Itch, and the "Tdrantelle' scene, were fine
ly rendered.
Last night was produced Won Flotow's
serio-comic opera Of AlleSGndrO StrGdeJtd
at the German theater, to a crowded house.
The German element of population, who
are gregarious in their tastes, and prefer an
unmixed Teutonic, and, consequently mos
appreciatiye audience, when music is The
matter in hand, we're out in strong force, auo
it was refreshing to see their utter abandon
ment to the delights of the music and tht
acting, and the heartfelt clippings which
every well-known aria Of the opera calle'
forth. The opera was one which in no wa.
broke in upon the associations Of the day
and was particularly adapted to Sunda.
evening,--setting aside the puritanical re
striction against innocent amusement oil
that day. The moral eliminated in tn
pretty little plot was the power which musi
and religion can exercise over the worst pas
sions Of the human heart. Frederick wa
absent. The other members sustained tn
leading parts, aud the celebrated drinking
chorus" and the other gems received heart
eRCoreS.
Tonight they produce, at the Burtis oper
house, Won Weber's masterpiece, Der 'ffet
schultz, replete with deviltry and impishnesi
in which Won Weber, Imagination was pr
cuiarly fertile. .......
Tomorrow night will be produced the OF
era of Fra DidDolO, the most popular, pieat
ing and melIiAuous of all modern operas, q
Darts hall, in this city. All who wish
attend should reserve seats at once, as Their
is no extra price.
. (Communieated.)
EDITOR OF THE ARGUS, Dear Sir.-Gou
item in regard to my accident with a load