The Sun. — 1838-03-26 (London, England)

ITALIAN OPERA.  Her Majesty's Theatre opened for the season on Saturt.laY night, with Bellini's Somnatnbula, in which Madame Persia:li made her first appearance as Amine. The house has been re. painted and otherwise beautified, and, filled as it was on this occasion, with as large an auditory as could be conveniently accommodated within its walls, made a most brilliant appearance. If we may judge from this auspicious commencement the season promises to be a favourable one The opera itself must always be attractive, from its very beautiful music, and that music throughout was as correctly and finely pei formed as we ever recollect to have heard it; but there was also an additional attraction in the appearance for the first time this country of a lady whose abilities and attainments we thovght sufficient to enable her to make a successful debut in such a part as Amina. That she did make a successful debut we are willing to admit, and that she will become a very cen, siderable favourite in this country we will venture to anticipate ; but still she is not the sort of person to create a decided sensation in the musical world. Her reception was anything but enthusiastic, and the tranquil attention she received throughout the opera was rather that elicited by a person in whom the audience could find nothing diseleasing, than that of a triumphant debutante who was winning all hearts and carrying all before her. The figure of Madame Persiani is petite, and her face possessing no striking peculiarities ; her acting, though not distinguished by deep pathos or lively emotion, was throughout graceful and appropriate. Her voice is a soprano, of a beautiful quality of tone, but by no means powerful. It is however capable of great expression, and to make up for its deficiency in volume, singularly articulate and distinct. Although in every piece in which she sung her part was executed in a way that left but little opportunity for remark fur the critic, unless very prone indeed to exercise an unkindly feeling, the audience admired in silence, or nearly se; till the well known air preceding the finale, which Madame Persiani gave in a most original style of execution, and vith an effect that drew down the most enthusiastic plaudits, and an unanimous call for its repetition. It was repeated, and again called for, and on each occasion greeted with, if possible, increased enthusiasm. The audience seemed to be completely entrapped; they had not expected such a chef d'ceuvre, and were literally conquered by a coup de main. Of the brilliancy and 'facility of execution on the upper notes of the voitx, and the extreme neatness and finish with which passages of extreme difficulty were executed, it is impossible to convey an idea. There were also in this Opera several other novelties intrcduced to .he public, but none of them particularly out of the common Signora Smolenski, in Lisa, had so little to de, that eve had no opportunity of forming an opinion as to her trierii,e. Signor Teti seems to be an acquisition. His style is good, and his voice well toned and expressive; but he is rather too ccrpulent to enact the lover or the gentleman. Signor Borran2. as the bills call him, is said to be the son of an English pb)-sician of Cheltenham, and has already been before the public, although not under exactly the same name. fijs voice is a barritone, of a very good quality ; and hie style that of a well practised musician, who combines judgment with skill. The orchestra we observed has been strengthened, as well as the chorus, with an evident improvement in effect, of both departments. The performance of the overture of " William Tell," between the acts, w,:s superb, and obtained an unanimous encore. " God save the Queen," was also sung between the acts. The Italians seem to take a delight in murdering this fine anthem, for we never heard it much worse sung. The ballet was Nlrssaniello, in which the dancing was exquisite, and the chorusses, unlike those in the opera, sung in a most villanous, slovenly manner. Coulon, Mabille, and Venafra, old favorites of the public, appeared in the ballet, and were greeted with cordial marks of recognitions by the audience. A Miss Forster appeared in the part of Fenella, for the first time, of whom we can only say, although we have seen the part better, we have more often seen it worse flayed.