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Leader (1850-1860), 13th June 1857, Edition 1 of 2, Page 573, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      the Botai * Itaiian Opeba . for last Tuesday , and on that evening quietly performed at the Lyceum before the most crowded and select audience of the season in a manner as nearly approaching perfection as it is easy to oonceive . The opera was put on the stage with becoming taste and richness , " the orchestra was all that even Mr . Costa could desire in vigour , deb ' cacy ^ and precision , and the principal singers were in admirable voice and temper . Gjbisi ' s Donna Anna made us ashamed of having ever deprecated her return to the stage , for where can such another Donna Anna be found ? We do not presume'to bonder the Sun because lie sets in glory tonight drily to shine again to-morrow :. Madlle . ; Marai is the best Elvira we have heard since Amaxia Cokbari , and Madlle . Bosio ' s Zerlina looks and sings as though she would enchant the great composer from his monumental sleep . The arch simplicity and playful tenderness of her acting heightened the effect of her singing , in which we knew not whether to admire most the tone , the method , or the expression ; and her shake in ' Vedrai Carino , ' so full-throated , joyous , and triumphant , is not to be described , but to be remembered , arid—heard again . Makio , who looked as if he had stepped from a picture as Don Ottavio ,

      sang with a finished grace of which he has the secret , and with a quality and freedom of voice peculiar to his ' happy' evenings . Fokmes , who was very well received on his first appearance this season , is undoubtedly a very able and complete dramatic singer , with a noble voice and uncommon intelligence ; he plays Leporello with evident zest and zeal , and sings with accomplished ease and power ; if he would only be a trifle less obtrusive in some scenes ( an objection which does not apply to the last scene of all ) , and if his Italian were a little more choice , he would , perhaps , do his reputation more entire justice . What shall we say of Ronconi ? To speak of so consummate an artist in any terms but those of admiration and respect would be mere ingratitude . But that with all his powers he is not at home as the Don is the feeling of critics and public alike , from which we find it impossible to dissent . Inveterate sticklers for the old days declare that there has never been a Don Giovanni since ( we believe it was ) Ambrogetti . "We know how Ronconi can master his ungrateful voice , but except , perhaps , in La ci da ' rem , ' his singing is almost ineffective in this opera , notably so in the Serenade ; and once or twice , at least , his acting , albeit his air and manner are neither vulgar nor undistinguished , reminded us mere of

      Figaro than of the Don . The minuet was danced by Madame Cerito and M . Desplacks . We may note , as a proof of tlie good sense and taste on both sides of the curtain , that heartily as the opera was enjoyed throughout , only two encores were insisted on and given—the ' Trio of Masks' and the ' Vedrai Carino . ' We must reserve for a more convenient season , and for larger space , what we should have to say in detail on the performance of Don Giovanni at Her Majesty ' s Theatre , where the patronage of Mozart was conspicuously displayed in the bills . An immense audience was assembled on Thursday evening to welcome Mozart in his new home . Great was the expectation of the scenery , the dresses , and the appointments . For the present we must be content to say that the enthusiasm was prodigious , and the success never for a moment doubtful . Signor Beneyentako realized the Don to his own entire satisfaction , and sang as if he had pebbles in his mouth . The trio of

      ladies—Madlle . Spezia { Donna Anna ) , Madlle / Ortolaki { Donna Elvira ') , and . Madlle . Piccolobiini { Zerlina ) , come in the order of merit as we have placed their names . But is it not time , and is it not the duty of kindness , to warn the very charming young lady last named against the seductions of a too indulgent public ? Is she not already failing in voice , and deteriorating in method , from the carelessness which , the bouquets of privileged boxes have most regretably encouraged ? Her singing of ' Batti Eatti' and of Vedrai Carino' ( both uproariously encored ) was disrespectful to Mozart . It was singing at the music like an ambitious and thoughtless school-girl , and had none of the humility and the devotedness of the true disciple of art . Madlle . Piccolomini looked ( need we say it ?) very charmingly ; youth and high spirits are contagious , and we do not care to resist the contagion : but freshness and impulse , and unembarrassed enjoyment are quite removed from that licence of manner , and that romping familiarity which are delightful at the Palais Royal or the Folios Nouvelles , but out of place and out of character in ' Mozart's chef d'auvre , ' at II ek Majesty ' s

      Tbeatbk . This it is not agreeable to say , but we say it in the kindest spirit of sympathy and regard for a young lady who has a soul for something truer than ' ovations'and ' recalls . ' Bkllktut (> the nearest friend to Mozart in the compan }') fang mid acted Lejwello with case and gusto : his delivery of ' Madamina il catalugo e questo' was excellent . Signor Giuclint , we are disposed to think , has not improved his reputation by his performnnee of Don Ottavio . His ' llnriio tesoro' was both flat and incorrect : lie was better in the ' Delia sua pace' ( one of the restored airs ) but not good ' enough to render it effective . Signor Corsi was more successful as Masetto than as Nino the other day ; acting the peasant with much quiet humour , but with scarcely voice enough to enable us to say how much of it is left . As to the restored airs , the motivo of their restoration is of course undeniable , but the policy doubtful , if , as wo believe , Mozart himself sanctioned their omission . The chorus , ' Vivn la Liberttt , ' was given with great effect , and deserved the applause—a circumstance worth noting . The orchestra was zealous and

      impatient of control . The mise en scene was rich and handsome ; the ball scene , with a real fountain in the centre , quite magnificent . Perhaps the introduction of the cloisters , ( from La Favorita ) , in the scene of the Statue was injudicious ; but on the whole we cannot but praise the evident good will by which this revival of Don Giovanni is distinguished .

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      BIRTHS , MARRIAGE , AND DEATHS . BIRTHS . HALL . —On tho Cth inst ,, at Batliford , near Bath , the wifo of Captain Richard Morgan Hall : a son . WILLIAMS . —On fcho lit )* Inst ., at Woodlands-torraco , Blnckhcath , at tho house of nor father , General Sir Edward Wicolls , K . O . B ., tho wifo of J . Hill Williams , Esq ., of 12 , ¦ Waterloo . place , Vail-mall : a daughter . ¦ MARRIAGE . , ^ , HARRIS—MAGNUC .- On tho 4 th inst ., at tho Ohapol of tho British Embassy , Paris , George Harris , Esq ., H . M . ' s Consul-Gonoral at Venice to Ellon Henrietta , daughter of Daniel Magniao , Esq . DEATHS , JERROLD . —On tho 8 t . I 1 inst ., at his residence in Gronvilloroad , St . John ' s-wood . after a short illnoas , Douglas Jorrold , Esq ., in tho BBtlx year of his nge . JOHNSON .-On tho 31 st ult ., at hia houso , Rurloigh-flolds , JLouKhborougli . CnsBluB Matthew Johiiaou . Esq . ( formerly Oluiichy ) , a Mnjor-Gonornl in tho British Army , and Lluutcniuit-Colonel in tho Portuguese Military Service

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      The week has been prolific in Concerts . Herr Mouqub ' s was in all respects worthy of the high position so deservedly held by that esteemed composer . On Wednesday Mr . Benedict gave the first of a series of grand Concerts at Her Majesty ' s Theatre , embracing all the vocal-and instrumental celebrities of that establishment , in addition to Madame-Clara Schumann , the celebrated pianiste , Herr Ernst , Signor ^ Andreolt , and last , not least , the eminent beneficiare himself . The sole deficiency in the programme was , the Times very justly observes , the too sparing introduction of Mr . Benedict ' s own compositions , which , with characteristic modesty , were limited to two ; but it is pleasant to record that no piece was more heartily applauded by an audience

      comprising almost all the best society in London than the overture to The Crusaders . A striking novelty in the Concert was the production of the finale to Mendelssohn ' s unfinished opera , LoreUy , with scenic accessories , and Madlle . Spezia as the heroine . This performance was one of special interest , but its success was not proportionate to expectation . The truth is , in its present form it is quite untit for the stage , and we take leave to doubt whether Mendelssohn would have consented to its representation . At the next concert of the series , which according to the vocabulary of the present season , is denominated a * Festival , ' selections from Gluck ' s Orfeo are to be given , with Madame Alboni in the part of Orpheus . To hear Alboni sing * Che faro' would be worth a pilgrimage .

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      M . Jut-lien , ever alive to the signs of the times , has inaugurated a Grand Musical Congress at the Royal Surrey Gardens , to celebrate the gathering of the Choral world for the Handel Festival . This Congress ( which commenced yesterday evening ) includes performances of Haydn's Creation and Seasons , Mendelssohn ' s Elijah , a Rossini Festival , a Verdi Festival , a Beethoven Night , a Mendelssohn Night , and a Mozart night , and is to conclude with the Messiah . M . Jullien is supported by a vast array of vocal and instrumental talent , and in ten days he will leap , like an orchestral acrobat , with mingled sprightliness and dignity from sacred to profane , froni lively to severe , to the rapturous astonishment of country cousins , who believe and tremble at his ambrosial nod . ¦

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      MR . ALFRED WIGAN . The entire public , and the dramatic profession at home and abroad , will learn with deep regret that this fine and finished actbr , and most esteemed gentleman , is reluctantly compelled to abandon all hope of returning to the exercise of his art for an indefinite period . A host of personal friends and a vast public of admirers have long marked with anxious regret his prolonged absence from the stage ; and for our own part , we have hoped against hope that a decisive and favourable improvement in health might be certified in the bills of the Olympic . Unhappily , this hope has been deceived : the continuance of a most painful and complicated malady , rendering even the slighest phj'sical exertion dangerous , compels Mr . Wigan to seek absolute retirement and repose , and as a necessary consequence to resign the direction of the theatre which he had raised to so distinguished a position , and to which night after night he had attracted the 6 lite of London society .

      The management of this favourite theatre is to bo assumed , we hear , by Mr . Robson , in conjunction with Mr . Emeuy ; an alliance certainly full of promise and deserving of all encouragement . The Olympic is identified with the fame of Mr . Robson , and it was under Mr . Wioan ' s management that Mr . Emery , known ns a powerful and effective actor in melodrama , achieved a selector and more ambitious reputation . We trust that Mr . and Mrs . Keeley ( and why not Miss Louisa Keeley , the litle Alboni-Dejazbt of the British stage ?) will be added to the Olympic firmament . Meantime and always , in common with the public , we shall look and listen eagerly for good news of Mr . Wiuan , whom the best wishes and the grateful sympathies of all to whom he has given so many hours of pure enjoyment accompany with sad solicitude . May we meet again !

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      MADAME RISTORI . After the elaborate criticism we gave of Madame Ristori ' s acting last year , we need not do more at present than announce her reappearance in this country on Monday last , ancT record the continuance of her favourable reception . She has appeared this week in Legouvk ' s Medea and in Alfieri's terrible tragedy of Rosmunda , and last night inMontanelli ' s Camma , a piece written expressly for her , and eminently successful in Paris . We shall , however , reserve our notice of this new part for next week , merely observing that Madame Ristori ' s style , already so remarkable , appears to be gradually ripening . Contact with refined audiences will always bring about this result in natures so impressionable as hers . .

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      BRITISH FUNDS FOR THE PAST WEJ 3 K . ( Closing Trices . ) Sat . Mon . Tuos . Wad . Thitr . 'JFrid . Batik fltook 813 A 212 814 . ...... 214 212 3 nor Cent . Rod O ' ii 028 O ! if ° 2 J Oi ! f w 2 f 3 por Co it . Con . An . 03 J 03 ? 031 9 * 94 A OSJ Consols for Account U 4 I 0 « 04 g 08 * 034 03 * Now 3 nor Cent . An . V ' U » 2 J 02 J 02 f 02 } 02 J New 24 per Cents •¦ ' ¦•• „ O" ; " . 'J Long Ans . 1800 ...... 2 7-10 2 7-10 India Stock 223 •••¦• : ¦••¦• : Ditto Bonds , JE 1000 7 d Jd ...... Ditto , under . £ 1000 Id ...... ...... <» d Ex . Bills , £ 1000 Id 2 d Id 2 p 2 d 3 p DiUo ,. fiB 00 5 p 2 d ¦• " ¦• •••••• Dittc-j , Small _ . Op ...... . _ . ........ I * P « P •* P .

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      FOREIGN FUNDS . ( Last Official Quotation during tub Wkbk jhspino Friday Evening . ) Brazilian Bonds 100 Portuguese 4 , per Cents . ... Buenos AyrosO p . Oonta 85 Russian Bonds . 0 par Chilian 0 per Cents 1014 Cents ""& « & '" 0 Q Chilian 3 per Oonta Russ an n porConte .... »» Dutch 84 per Cents OIJi gPa" } alV ™ mfrfcoo 0 or-Dutch 4 per Cent . Oortf . 07 * Span ish Comrolttoouqr BSSSb I SfJii *

      Connnmtnl Ffimxs.

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      London , Friday EyonlnB , Juno 12 , 18 B 7 . Tnn domand for money for commorolal purposes continues so aotlvo that tho largo importations of bullion Into tho

      country seem to have littlo or no effect in satisfying tho domand . Tho Bank continues to maintain Us rate ol interest and it is thought will bo guidod by tho stato of tho Bank of Franco boforo any reduction .

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      FROM THE LONDON GAZETTE . Tuesday , Juno 0 . BANKRUPTS . —OirAJtms Oum-bn Munoun , Margate , Kent , builder — Joshua Shuokfokd , Studloy-torraoo , Lnrkhall-lano , Lambeth , and Ollfton-strootj , Wandsworthroad , builder— Joseph Brook , 8 . Lawronoo-lano , City , and Bradford . Yorkshire , stuff merchant and manutuoliuror—Wilmajk Lyon , Guildford . Surrey , ¦ butohor — Thomas QnBEM-WQoi ) and Bawubi , Kino , Cannon-Htropt , and St . Aubyn-streot , Dpvonporfc , builders and contractors—Wxlluu Hablam , Sholheld , horn dealer and outtor-SAMuni , "Wroth Anthony , Liverpool , ship and insurance broker . SCOTCH BEQU ^ BI'KATIONS . —J . OoLQVnouNand Co ., Bridge street , Piualuy , bleachers—R , Reu > , 100 , Bridgogator

      stroot , and . lG 7 , Eglinton-stroot , Glasgow , bakor and grocer —W . Jamibson , Paisley , wood merchant and wright—RouiNsotf and NiVEN . Groonook , drysaltora . Friday . June 5 . BANKRUPTS , —Samuel Stonard and Louis Joseph Stonakc , Shoroclitch , oilmen—James Bugbek , yincoiitsquaro , contractor—Egbert GnurifiTns , Fpnchurch-, stroot , wluo merchant—John Ejlpitinbtone Fatqua HoCheb , Surrey , -vender of paint— John Julian Jackson , Lawrouco-lano , City , dyor and bleacher-John BusrtER , Now Bond-street , Middlesex , llvory-etablo keeper—Charles Wing , Worth End , Fulham , apotbiscary— James Peart , Birmingham , bookseller - John Lihnit , Bornors-streot , Oxford-stroot , jowollor ~ Sammon Hackistt , Cradloy Heath , Staffordshire , draper — George Milnes Hirst , George Hibst , and William Frederick Wilman , Batloy , Yorkshire manufacturers—Daniel Robs . Romford , Essex . KJ'ooor — Chamles Stanley Bisvan and Charles Southern Bevan , Ohapol-streot , Grosvonor-square , bookbliidorff--Jonir PaImbk . Birmingham , pin makor—Thomas OuTHjiEitT M'Kay and JonN MTKIay tho younger , hosiers -JonN Gregory , High-street , Borough , wholesale and rotail oilman—Wallace Alitrbu Jones , West Brompton , tocL-cloiilor * ——SCOTCH SEQUESTRATIONS . — George Hunter . Alloa , lately commission agent—Fbanois Sheitaiid , Glasgow , commission merchant .

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      June 13 , 1857 . ]__ THE LEADEH . 573

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), June 13, 1857, page 573, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2197/page/21/