National Republican., 1883-02-22
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
PATTI As sEMIRAMIpE.

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Patti sang last evening before an audience
distinguished in both quality and numbers
and responsive to tho degree of amiable en-
thusiasm. The performance was one that will
linger in the memory of those who were pres
ent as being musically complete, or nearly so,
and not bit niggardly in any essential part.
Semiramide" was presented with every
advantage of large and well bal
anced chorus, competent orchestra,
and two great singers in the leading parts.
Mr. Mapleson has furnished this public, as
we'll as tho public of other cities, with us
much reason for dissatisfaction us for
pleasure during his engagement; but on
this one evening, at least, ho was justice
to his prima donna, and gave us an even
ing of genuine opera, splendidly done
at nearly all points, impressive
in its totality, and frequently illuminated
with passages Of the utmost brilliance. The
opera has nothing in it that calls for great
power or high dramatic singing on
tho part of tho first lady. Who.
ever expected to find either of these
may have gone away disappointed. But no
other score in the same school of opera is so
well calculated to at once display PATHS
technical skill, and give full value to
her voice. Her vocalization is beyond
fault but others can offer work of that
kind quite as good, What she docs offer
that no other singer has TO give Is a
wtchery of tone that can no more be
described than resisted A pure soprano
that is at once sparkling and soft, that
responds to every variety of sentiment that
is elastic flexible, and of limits so wide that
no such part as this of Semiramide touches
either of them, Is n voice TO be heard but once
in a century. What 1t would be in heavier
parts, with call for greater force and for
dramatic fire, those who heard it last even
ing for the first time must wish to know, and
may perhaps family imagine
Scalchi sang Arsace with fluent ease and
warmth of feeling that twice brought the
house almost to its feet The first aria of
Arsace, indeed, awoke the most decided
demonstration of the evening 1t will be
long enough before another such number
will be heard as the duo between Semiramide
and Arsace in the third act. 1t will be long
indeed before any thing will be heard again
to equal any of the work of the great artists
who sang those parts.
Leaving out an incOnsequCnt tenor and NJ
Durat (who is generally singing sharp when he
is not singing fat the entire presentation was
worthy Of the work, The heavily concerted
passages were done with magnificent effect.
The rich coloring and massive tone OF
the quintet and chorus in the second
act would have endured dozen consecutive
hearings and so indeed would almost every
other important passage in the whole opera
There was better attention paid to scenic
requirements and 90 the costuming and man
agement of the stage than in any of the
preceding performances. The movement Of
tho opera was even and uninterrupted by
anything less pleasant than applause.
"IoLANTHE" AT FORD's.
That there are large number who prefer
the pleasing melodies of Sullivan and the
keen wit of his colaborer Gilbert to the pom
derous weight Of Italian opera has beer
proven by the gOodly audiences that have
each night this week been present at Fordi
Opera house TO witness the presentation o
"Iolanthe" by Charles i, Ford's Comi,
Opera company, The story of this opera was