The New York herald., 1872-11-07
ITALIAN OPERA.

Miss Kellogg's Appearance as Annetta
I'm ssCrispino la Comare.''
Twenty-one years ago Luigi and FREDERICK
Ricc two talented Tuscan brothers, par mobile ma
h7'n brought out comic opera at Florence,
which wen at once the volatile fancies of the
audience. The transformed cobbler and the kind
fairy have ever since been welcomed on every
stage where Italian opera has been presented. The
fairy, to be sure plays very small part yrically
In the comic scenes Of this delightful work. but her
influence is, nevertheless, very potent In
the unrayelling Of the thread OF the story
'Crsptn0 Ia, of course, the most salient
feature OF the opera, although, at times, he has
to yield the place Of honor to his wife. The work
has long ago become popular here through the ex-
ertions Of the two artists, MISS Kellogg and Rom
cont, who appeared last night In their welknown
roles. When the work was first placed on the
stage In Italy Revere was the Crispino and Ciampi
five mistake not, the Fabrzio. The cast last even
ing consisted Of the following :-Annetta, Miss Ke
Aogg; the Fairy. Nine. Schofeld; Crispino, Ronconi
.Fabrizio, signor Reina; Mirabolano, Signor Spara
PAM; Count del Fiore, MI. Graf; Don Asdrubal
Sign0r Locatell The Introductory chorus Is
rather inslpid, and only served to give
Mr.. Graf little time to prepare himself for the first
tenor aria, "Bella siccome un angelo.n (Why not
sPuraro This gentleman made his debut on the
occasion. He is pupil OF signor Tamaro, OF this
city His voice is possessed OF considerable natural
power and sweetness, and his school is good.
There are still some rough points and a certain
stiffness which can easily be removed by study and
experience and his lack of histrionic ability and
apparent nervousness Will yield to the same potent
instructors. Then came In Miss Kellogg as the un-
successful ballad vendor, and she sang the pretty
little waltz song, Ho qui di caldi palpiti legender
with q brilliancy that in our days would in
sure q speedy sale for Annetta's ballads.
Ronconi sang his cobbler's song in his own inim-
Atably comic style and with more regard to keep
Ing In tune than he is wont to have. Then Reina,
an old acquaintance, who seems to have gained
voice. which already gave the impression Of
cracked trombone, came forward and sang with
ah RS to
brief In his remarks: The scene at the well be-
tween orspino M and the Fairy In which the latter
very very Deautssiul instru%entat,on, brought On the
sparkling number IN the opera Here the pure,
flexible voice OF Miss Kellogg found congeniai
field OF music, and, united with the acting OF
Ronconl made the dnale Of the lrst act genuine
to applause BY the abandon and elam which she
bestowed In the 40 non sono piu lAnnetta vendi
.storie. The sparkling chorus, "0h che pazzo, che
.pino's neighbors salute his changed fortunes was
very well delivered. as were nearly all the choral
quackery administered to his first patient,
Bortolo, ROnconi's acting would be feature
even ON the stage of Wallack's. His comic
powers had here splendid opportunity OF which
lie promptly availed himself The gem OF the en-
tire OPERA the celebrated sestetto, was given with
rare effect. The stetto which follows Is very brill
liant but entirely de trOp. The curtain should fall
on the sestetto. In the third act the between
Crispno and his envious rivals Is perhaps the most
admirable specimen OF comic writing on the part
OF modern operate composer that can be found.
In Italy 1t is the scene OF the opera. Ronconi like
Revere, always makes the most OF 1t, although at
the present time 1t Is rather too much OF strain
son his powers. Sparapani here bestirred hlmself
Tor the first time to advantage, but poor Reina
was as grimly unconvivial as ever. Then occurred
o skip Of fifty pages in the scene 1.-THE brothers Ricci,
clever as undoubtedly they are In this opera, are
unfortunately too prolific OF ideas, and they have
spun out the work beyond desirable nmits). In
the "Canzonetta della Frittola" Miss Kellogg
gained the principal honors that fell to her share
during the evening 1t Is dashing subject, to be
admired even by the most fastdious critic, and the
,prima donna did it full Justice Here the lyric In,
take an early opportunity OF repeating this opera,
since 1t received such smooth repre-
sentation, and since Its sparkling music
and comic scenes must on all occasions prove
a source OF attraction. When 1t brought applause
last night when there was but the ghost OF an au-
dience present; when the drizzling rain outside
made every Operagoer misanthropic and mlsera.
bic, and when the public mind had not recovered
from the reaction consequent on the close OF bit
under brighter ctrcumstancesY 1t was quite an act
of herOism to stir outdoors last night and conse-
quently the charm Of the representation was lost
on the greater number Of the subscribers. On Fri
day evening Mozart's lovely opera, "Nozze di
Figaro viii be presented with very strong cast.