Drury-Lane Theatre.
The Times, 1824-11-11T00:00:00

Weber'a Opera of Drr Freisrhiit;, eo long in preparation, was last nighit perforired for the first time at this house. Though Drury has on this-occasion taken the field rather late, yet we havc no doubt that this piece will hare a very profitable run. lndepcn- deily of the excellence displayed in the scenic and >nect,aniczl de. partmcnt, the circumstance of the whole of WVcber's music, as originally performed at Bcrlin, being now executed by the different claracters, must prove a source of very considerable attraction. The present version of the dpera is, we understand the work of Alr;Soane. Re has adhered to the maxin features o? the German story, adlding, however, one or two effective scenes. These arise chiefly fronm thesuspicionos entertained by the Head Ranger of Casper's communication with the "f ul fiend," and his attempts to wean the bewildered wreteh from so dangerous a vractice-at. tempts which are constantly marred by the interventioni 6f thc demon. In other respects, the iacidentr of the opera differ very little fram those exhibited in the FreischiiUz of the Lyceum and of Covent- garrden. The dialogue is for the aiost part new, and the songs, in- stead of being translated, have been re.written. Neither the one nor the other is a whiit better than what the public have been al- ready accustomed to; and we certainly expected something superior from the practised pen of Mlr. Soane. Although the opera was not assisted by the powerful talents of a Brahban, a Stephens, or a Paton, it was, nevertheless, cast with considerable streugth, and was re- ceivedl throttgltout with the strongest demonstrations of satis- factioin. Mlr. T. Cooke, who has not appeared for some years as a member of the operatic departmnent, undertook tlhe cia- racter of Adoiph. His scientific knowledgc enabled hmius to execute the difficult mtusic of thie part with truth autd feeling. His voice ap- pearemd to be deeper and mellower thanl welte we last heard him sing, and his style of performance wat altogether improved. The tempter, Casper. was represented by iUlr. hIomim. Thtisgentleman's voice has not sufficient v igour an dboldne,s im the straains which Weber has givenl tO thiY wild and fearfiul character. This was particularly ob- servable in thedriniting song, whichl was a weak and hiefficient effort. However, AIr. Horn's taste, his good sense, and his musical skill carried him through the part, if not triumphaxtly, at least creditably. lie actei wvithi more force and freedom thant lie is wont to display. AMSr. Bedtbrd represented ihe Head Ranger: he had little to do, but that little was done with propriety. MIr. lKnight, as fititln, was a very merry and vivacious little gentleman. fliss (iratdon appeared as Lintda. (the Birthla of the original), and made a most favourable impression on thc audience: her voice, as we have already observed, is not of extensive compass; but her style of'sing- ing, which is distinguished by taste anid expression, compensates, in a great measure, for that dcfect. Slie seems to have acquired addi- tional confidence in her owut powers, and manitested a greater degree of ease and self-poseesibn than sie has heretofore displayed. Shte executed the see,,a,, beginning " Hovw gentle was my slumber," in a most feelinK manner; it w;as her best eflbrt, and was loudly ap- platided. We aTe still of;spinion that shie attenuates her shake toa much. As she manages it now, it would answer exceedingly well in a room, but it is by no means powerful enouglh to fill the im- mense area of this thestre. As an actress, she has much to learn: she is, at presenit, a piece of still life. For the purpose of giving dae eflect to the mUsic, the orchestra has been enlarged, and additional perforniers have been engaged. The band waN ably led by the- veteran Alountain. The cherusses we think less per- fect here than at the oilier house. Neither the laughiing nor the huntsinen's chorus was so full and complete as aL Cevent-gardeti, although the latter was encored. 'I'he scenery is truly beautiful. The opening landscape, by Stanfield, is a charming picture ; but, to improve it, we wouilt buggest the removal of the rainbow, whlich holds its place with a most unnatural pertiuaacity, botls in sun- shine and storm. The view of the Wolt's.glen, aixo by Stanfield, is exceedlingly clever. It is more romantic than that at Covent- garden. The whole of the incantation scene is excellently managed. As each bullet is cast " fresh htorror; still abound." IVIteti the sixthi is perfected, an immense fiery serpent twists his tortuous form across the stage, followedl by a flame.clad warrior; and, wlien the seventh is ;thbricated, the entire scene assumes the hue of fire, and, in the miidst of these horrors, the " grisly terror" and his artner, sin, " grin horribly a ghastly smile" on the unhallowed wor . Tlis certainly is one of the most effective scenes of the terrible that we ever witnessed. The piece was received with undivided applause. DRIRY-LANE THEA TRE.