Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-10-27
THE opER SEASON.
Norma" Sung Before Fine Audience
Last Night.

! Norma" Sung Before Fine Audience
last Night.
BelInFs "Norms" was sung before a
brilliant audience 1.-THE theatre last night
bv the Milan Italian Opera Company. 1t
was the first time the opera had ever been
produced in Savannah. There were many
! in the audience who had heard it before,
! but so long ago that the melodious strains
/ of the famous composer were almost as
new to them az they were 20 those who
I heard 1t for the first time. Its iuterpreta-
/ tion was artistic, and the audience
/ showed its appreciation by repeated APP
! plause.
/ The action takes place in ancient Gaul
4 about 1850 years after the Roman conquest.
/ Gaul having fallen into the power OF the
/ Romans, the reins of government are
/ committed 70 "POlliOne,' who is ap-
/ pointed pr0consul. and who becomes
| enamOred Of Norma" first prlestess Of
| the Druidical temple. Two children are
4 the result OF this unhOly love, the secret
of which "POllione" contdes 70 "Fiavio'
| at the opening OF the opera, with the in
j telligeuce also that his wicked heart has
| conceived a passion for "Adalgisa,"
1 virgin Of the temple OF Esus, which, II
/ discovered by Norma" would be Wis
/ tied upon him with the dlrest vengeance.
/ In the second act "NOrma" receives the
| unhappy tidings OF "POliOne's" recall 10
! Rome by Cesar, confding to "Clotilde"
/ her suspicious Of his growing indi1eT-
ence 10 her "Adalgisa' interrupts the
interview and pours into "NOrma's" ear
the secret of her love, beseeohing her 10
save her from herself Conscience strick-
en- at the remembrance OF her own guilt,
and ignorant as TO whom the object OF
"Adalgisa's" love may be, "Norma" hears
the confession with plying heart, and
promises protection TO the virgin. "POl-
lone" appears aud the truth is forced
upon "Norma's" mind. In the widest
terms she repr0aches her lover with his
inndellty. aud as "Adalgisan awakens to
the terrible reality her denunciations are
added to those OF the priestess.
Ia the last act Norma" overcome by
rage and despair, determines to destroy
Ber children; but her maternal instincts
conQuer!ng. she concludes TO direct the
steel to her own heart. She is, however,
diverted from her purpose by 'Adalgisa,"
who offers to seek an interview with
"POlliOne" and endeavOr to Tekindle 10 his
heart his love for Normal" but "POllI-
one" contrary to the hopes Of "Adalgisa."
threatens to tear her from the very altar
rather than be foiled in his passion for
her. For this outrage Norma" strikes
the sacred shield which calls the Druids,
who had long been waiting. 10 immedl-
ate action. During the war song, mes
sengers enter to announce the arrest
Of a Roman chief, who proves to be
"PolliOne.' Vengeance is now in "NOr-
mas" power, but her heart cannot speak
the word to pronounce her lovers doom.
Ia private interview which follows. she
offers him his freedom if he but reuOunce
"Adalgsa." This "POlllone" proudly re.
fusing to do. "NOrma'' summons back the
Driuds, accuses herself Of taithlessness
to her prlestly vows, and satisfies Eer
vengeance by duplicating "POllone" as
the cause. The Druids, horror stricken,
can scarcely believe her words, but at
their priestess' commands, conduct her
mournfully to the funeral pyre, where she
is content to perish in the cOmpaniOnship
of him whom she had so fOndlY loved.
Mile. ROmeldi, as Norma" sang effec-
lively. Her rich, clear soprano voice was
given full scope, and was heard to great
advantage. Her first appearance in
Savannah year ago won for her favOrs
which are seldom bestowed even upon
singers better known. Since then her
voice has lost none of its great power and
debility. AS the jealous and heart
broken priestess her singing and acting
showed deep study and wonderful skill.
The recitatiYe which introduces the
opening aria was a hint OF what the
opera was to be, and with all that fol-
lowed was repeatedly applauded.
Mile. Morse, as "Adalgisa,n sang
and acted with excellent effect. Her
Interpretation of the character was
admirable and her singing captivated the
audience. In the duet, An! 81 ia core,
with Mile. Romeldi, in the second act, she
was again and again applauded. The
duet was repeated, and even then the au-
dience WAS not satisfied. SignOr BOlogna's
"Ovoreso" was good. Signor Arvaui, as
"Pollione," appeared at first TO be the
weak point of the company, but as it pro-
crossed the quality Of his voice was recog-
nized. He is recent acquisition 10 the
| Italian lyricsstage.
The entire opera was well rendered,
and its reception was an evidence that il
/ was appreciated.
Tonight Donizetti's beautiful opera.
| "Lucia d. LammermoOr," will be pre-
| scented, with the following cast;
Lucia ;.s.....-.-............ Mile. Narena
luxe 5000 .-.---clks INRllero
/ tAfico-.- ...s-........-...-.....-S lg. MArChesi
Arturo ............... ............... Sig. Gill