THE OPERA.

Press, Volume XXXV, Issue 4823, 19 January 1881, Page 2

THE OPERA.

The production of Verdi's charminpr opera o[ "II Trovatore" last night equalled, if not aar. passed, the Buccess attendant upon tho opening one of "Lucrezia Borgia." It was chosen sis the debut here of Miss Leonora Simonseo, and m a whole she also, in common with her sister, Miss Martina, ia to be complimented upon the eclat with which it was accompanied. In aa. dertakiDg the rendition of a part such aa Asncena, Miss fcimonson had before her a task of no ordinary difficulty. Tho masic through, out i 3 exceedingly exacting and trying to tt» voice, requiring as it does almost special gifts to render it with success, added to which it also requires histrionic ability of a high order. So far aa the singing of the music allottel to her, Miss Simonsen was excellent, the only defect, which time and experience will remove, tras a want of dramatic power to fully interpret the powerfully descriptive music of the part. In B&;„g this we have no wish to detract in the degree from what was really an admirable pa-. formanco throughout, and where all w_) „ good, the alight defect to which wo have calls--attention may well bo overlooked. Madatas Simonsen was in splendid voice, and the tras artist camo out meat thoroughly in her re»&„. injj of tha music of the part of Leonora. H_ opening aria, " Tacea la notte," was sung witi a finish and completeness, which elicited load plaudits ; so also was hor part iv the trio clous? the act, which went capitally. In tho Becostt act, Madame gave theisolo " Deggio volgerasi," with much pathos and expression, and in tha concerted piece "E deggio," which closes tha act, her grand voice was heard to great advan. tage But it waa in the florid and di—c—i music of the last act that she achieved te greatest success. The beautiful aria " Amm sub" ali rosee," and tha followug duct, " Mira di acerbe," were both rendered bj her in such a way as to draw forth th? enthusiastic applauße of the audience. Her pa_ in the duet and trio, " Si la Btanchezza," oci " Parlar non vuoi," and the final Bcenc " Ts scoßta" afforded Madame famplo opportunity for the display of that finished vocalisatfoa which distinguishes her performances, and her Leonora was certainly from first to last a preat musical treat. Mibs Leonora's openi_j? pies, '' Stride la vasnpa " was sunglciref ally asd wsfi. Her voice in the lower and higher reriatois sa good and f nil, the middle notes here and iters not being so strong, but there is abont herTocalieation a high degree of culture, and a thowagi knowledge of the powers of hor voice, which made the performance very enjoyable. Tbs highly dramatic character of tha air "Coadoito 'ell era" was rather beyond Miss Suno—empowers in this respect, though tho mnsio was Bung with fidelity and taste. Her best effort was decidedly " Ai nostri —onti," which was charmingly sung, and received, aa it well deserved, an enthusiastic encore. Tha essay cf the part was, aa we have said, an ambitions one, but, as a whole, it was successful';, Misa Sim—sen giving evidence that, with study and e_p> rience, she will take high rank in the profeasisa she has choson. Miss Fanny Siraonaen played the small part of Inez well. Signor Paladini'g Manrico waa somewhat uneven. In parts he , Bang with gTeat effect, whilst in others he •&&:-'{ •scarcely up to his usual standard. In tho iwi " Mai reggendo " he scarcely put fire enoagb into the description of tho battlu, but he es&_ the aria " Deaerto Bulla terra "'excellently, His rendering of the aria " Ah, sibenmio" was excellent, and he was also heard kadvantage in the concerted music. Tho dnet with Azucena, " Si la Bta_c_ez_a," and tho fewand final scene were amongst hia beat tSoth. though the well known " Ah che ia morto" yss very sweetly sung. Signor Luisetti is iolba complimented on his very successful debut bb tie Conte di Luna. He has a fins voice, of great range and power, and though here and there ts lacked animation, as a whole hia perfcrssssifia wa3 a good one. The well known "II bal_," though tunefully rendered, would have tast better for a little more life inf a»ed into it; fenl Signor Luisetti was really excellent in tha concerted pieces, his voice coming cat with msfib effect. The part of Fernando afforded no Ssßfs a* all for the display of tho undoubted talent cf Signor Riccardi, a result which is to be regretted, as ho has made himself, by ha artistic rendering of the part of the Duke is '* Lucrezia," a prime favorite with opera-gceri, The choruses throughout were well given, tit time being excellent and the voices well balaassi To »ay that the orchestra performed their fail of the work with precision and ability is -tat ts repeat a twice-told tale, but they are to ba <»-- plimented once more on tbe delicacy and .Sect with which they rendered the i_Bl___e_ta_oß. of the opera, especially in tbs "Ai noifel monte." To-night, " The Hermit's Bell" robe produced, in which Madame msue .ogres* an impression on her last visit here.