Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-07-22
NILSSEN IN CHARACTER.
Rossini's "Desdemona."
L. wHITMORE,
Publisher and Proprietor.

ne laSL steamer DIOuRHt nltucr u uuiu-
ber of exquisite photographs Of Mile
Nilssen, representing her as Ophelia =
and "Mignon," to both of which parts
her sweet, dreamy countenance seems to
be peculiarly fitted. As" 0phelia" her
costume is most graceful and appropri-
ate. In the mad scene there is not so
marked an individuality in appearance
as in the other. points of the play. As
"Mignon she is represented both in the
garb of maiden and of boy.
The arrangements for Nilssen's visit
to\this country are complete. Her first
concert will take place at Steinway Hall
on either the 18th or 26th of September.
In London, Nilssens latest success
has been as Desdemona" " in Rossini' s
Otello. This opera has been given in
this country by several companies, but is
not on the list of popular works. Its re-
production, however, is of such interest
to the musical amateur that the follow
ing criticism from the London Times
cannot fail to be interesting:
"The revival of Rossini's opera,
!" Otello," at the Italian Opera, Drury
Lane, has been most successful step on
the part of the management. Although
the music on the whole is not equal to
that written by the great maestro IN some
later works, it comprises several known
and admired melodies, and what is more
to the purpose just now, the subject OF
them affords the best possible display for
the talents of the attractive prima donna,
Mile Christine Nilssen. The interest
which was excited by Mile Nilssen's i'm
personation of 0phelia in Ambrose
Thomas "Amletto," on account of the
character being one of the great drama
lists choicest creations, was no less OBJ
servable on her appearance as Desde-
mona. The pleasure of hearing Ros-
sini's flowing melodies in connection with
Shakespearean character added consld-
erably TO the attraction. Mile Nilssen
has appeared in so many characters, and
always with such extraordinary success,
that It would be difficult to say in which
she sxcels the most. Herimpersonation
of Desdemona is certainly equal to that
of any other of her roles, and unless un-
duly Influenced by the splendor OF her
last appeal TO our senses, our Judgment
is correct in recording it as her most dis
tinguished effort. Mile Nilssen, with her
natural gifts, her command ofpatbos, and
talent for the delineation of sentiment, IS
certainly most happily favored, while
her genius enables her to realize the
poet ) conception, and malSes even her
own delightful art subseryient, Aot even
the librsttists unskillful work could de-
stroy the beauty which, as q halo, sur
rounded Mile Eilssen's Desdemona or
interfere with her clever impersonation
The operate plot is obnoxfoas IN = de-
gree, although it is intendedto be a mere
adaptation Of tho great dramatlst s trag
edy. OtheIlo is intFoSaeed as a victorl-
Gus general, just returned 70 veplce from
Cyprus, in time 10 prevent his rival
Roderieo from claiming the hand of
Desdemona The Moore is made toI
appear convinced Of Desdemona streeach-
cry after o single interview with lago,
and is deiiaeated as raving madman
who kills his wifein a apaFoKysm ofanger.
lago appears as a most commonplace
villain; Roderigo mere rival gallant,
who challenges the Moor TO deadly com
bat in the ordinary theatrical style.
Elniro is represented as the pat |
tern OF an inhuman parent, whose
only business Is ~ purse his unhappy
laughter. DesdemoDs IS tho only
the Italian ibrettist has not |
Jared 10 travestie--all the others have
been ruthlessly handled. Desdemona's
innocence, her sorrows and unhappy fate
are detailed unmarried by any attempt at
OF alteration; Conse-
luently the whole interest OF the lyric
works. centered in the unhappy heroine.
Mile Nilssens delineation IS so power
iul as to atone for some Of the hbrettist
crimes, and Rossini's music for some
iew more, so that the opera is not only
rendered acceptable, cut ifs representa-
ion and revival is creating a marked
To miss seeing Mile Nils
ems Desdemona will soon be reproach
o every admirer Of Shakespeare, as well
IS opeEa-goer. Two representations
lave already taken place, Tho last was
IN Saturday evening, when the same
POINTS Of excellence were observable as
N the first performance. The opening
Iuo with Emilia was delightfully."- rem
Iered and enthusiastically applauded.
treat effect was produced at The close Of
he first act, whnre Desdemona is com
handed 10 bestov her hand on Rode
iro. "Oh Diol EN- mi consignia, or