Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-11-13
AMUsEnESrs.
a OPERA Or LUCIA

TIE OPERA or LUCIA.
Our musio-loving inhabitants will.
OF Monday evening next, have an
opportunity Of witnessing and hearing
Donizetti's famous opera of Lucia
Di Lammermoor'' for the first time in
many years indeed, some say il has
never been presented in this city,
though many Of our people have seen
it in other places. 1t is the opening
programme fora week ofdelicious opera
In which our charming country
woman, Emma Abbott, is the prima
donna. The opera chosen for Monday
night is one of the most popular of
musical compositions and is certain to
attract a large audience. The story of
Lucia is taken from one of Scott's
novels, THE Bride of Lammermoor."
The house of Ashton, at deadly outs
with the house Of Ravenswood. Hen
ry, the head Of tho house of Ashton.
wishes his sister Lucy to marry
a wealthy person, Arthur, that
his drOOpy fortunes may be revived
She is, however, secretly in love with
Edward Ravenswood, the hated foe
man Of her brother. Edward, a part
to be carried by Brignoli, must go
to France, but before he starts, he
and Lucy plight eternal fidelity. This
is a duet sung by both in unison and
is of exquisite beatay. 1t closes tn,
first act. Then there is a concerted
piece, usually known as a sextette,
found at the end of the second act, in
which two ladies and four gentlemen,
with the chorus, all join. The Duet
between the foeman, Edward, and
Henry in the third act is a spirited
melody, but does not sound much like
deadly hate. The two things which
form the gems of the work are
the mad scene where Lucy sings a
touching little melody and where the
acting never fails to impress the audi
ence with awe. In this part Miss Alb
bolt is said to be very superior. In
deed to perfect herself in the action
of madness, she, on several occasions,
visited lunatic asylums in Canada and
New York, W itching the demeanor
of mind wrecked people for hours and
days to catch every semblance Of luna
cy with a view Of doing her work in a
realistic manner. The seeming faith.
l~essness Of Lucy is brought about by
interoepting. the letters of Edward
and forging a report Of his having
formed a new attachment. Lucy is
married, but at the wedding feast
Edward appears and reprOaches her.
She kills her bridegroom and goes
mad. Edward dies by suicide. The
author, nonlsetti is one Of italys
popular aud prolific composers, who
lived from 1896 to 184S, and produced
many pieces for the lyric stage, Of
which a dozen or more became per-
manent %sucoesseg. The part Of Lucy,
to be- carried by the gifted artistic
Emma Abbott, Is said to be one of her
best characters. We may look to see
it charmingly acted and sung.
THE CIRCUS.
Sells a. Bros. great caravan arrived
from Grenada last night, and have
their tents pitched on the bluff, near
Monroe street, to-day. A performance
began soon after noon and another
will be given tonight. The exhibition
is highly entertaining, instructive and
deserving Of tho most extensive pat
rOnage.
THE WIDOW BEDOTT."
The Widow Bedott' gave another
seance to a pleasant party last evening
at Leubrie's theater, and a matinee
this afternoon, with . repetition Of
the programme to night closes the en-
gagement of Neil Burgess aud his
party.