AMUSEMENTS. THE OPERA.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVII, Issue 4436, 13 November 1871, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS. THE OPERA.

Pjrixce of Wales.— The opera buffa "II 1 Matritnonio Segreto" was represented on Saturday night on those boards The music is by Ciraavosa, a composer known to Continental fame, but little understood by English audiences. The opera is lively aud sparkling, aud there is a crispness in the music to the anas which must always please. It does not rise to any great height, nor does it descend below the average of fair mediocrity, And there ia nothing that will dwell on the memory like the music of Verdi, Donizetti, or Rosbini. We doubt whether there is one gem throughout the whole composition which will catch the general ear or find expression from the lips. The merits of this lyric comedy is in a large measure dependent on tho ability of the performers, and it could not have been entrusted to a more accomplished company than that which gave the rendering on Saturday. There is no part of the opera, as a composition, which •will call for condemnation. There is little which would admit of unqualified praise. The great merit lay in the tiuo voices and the magnificent acting of those who accomplished the rOles of Paohno, Count Robiusou, Qeronirao, Fedahna, Ehaetta, aud Carolina. Nothing could well surpass the deep rich humour with which Signor Grandi invested the part of Getonino. The fond, but crossgrained, passionate old merchant, whose life's ambition was to unite his two dunning daughters to men of rank, and whose rage knew no bounds when he discoveied that one of them had been secretly married to his clerk, was, in Italian song, quite equal to anything eiiher Buckstone, Liston, or Farren could have done in English farce or comedy. Had Giaudi never been able to sing a note of masic he would have still retained to hiinsolf the qualities of a great actor. His appearance on the stage was a signal for the audience to break out into uncontrollable laughter. It was impossible, while sympathising with Geronimo's troubles, to help at the iamc time being amused by them. In the last scene, where he exclaims, " Sono offeso, son sdegnato, ma vi voglio perdonar 1 ' ("I am offended, I am in a rage ; but still I will pardon them"), the sudden relaxation of his facial muscles from auger at his daughter's uudutifulness to forgiveness in his great love for her was as superb a piece of acting as perhaps wag ever witnessed. Signure Coy as Carolma, and Cortesi as Elisetta, made charming representatives of two young ladies, very handsome, rather wilful, having a strong desire to take their own way, but still loving " dear old papa" from the bottom of their hearts. There was such a sweet lively archness in Signora Coy's acting that one could not wonder at the poor clerk haTing strived to win her love, nor feel but rejoiced at his success. Siguora Coitcai as Ehsetta was piquant, saucy, and altogether irresistible — a sort of beauty that a man "would catch up in las arms, place in a coach and four, drive away and marry right out if j he had a chance, and the sweet creature would but consent. Tournerio as Count Robinson was wonderfully grotesque and comic. Never did Count make lo\e i in such form before, nor ever had such reason to feel blessed that he had been | accepted by one who had Ions; held him in secret to her heart. Signora PolL sustained the role of Fedalina (Geronuno's sister) with a naivete" which become her well. The part was not a very difficult one, but in le-s able keepiug would have been somewhat tame and uninteresting. Signor Coy, as the husband of Carolina, sang very effectively, and his acting was exceedingly good as it always ia in every part he imdmtak.es to impersonate. "II Matnniomo Segrefco " will be played more than once again, and people \rill go to sco it, and will laugh at it and applaud it, not alone for tho music, but for the very clever and highly artistic manner in which it is performed. — This evening Bellini's grand opera " Norma" will be represented.

TO THE EDITOE. Sir, — I wish to call jour attention to a custom which obtains every night at tho opera, and which id a great annoyance to all lovers of music. I refer to the practice of commencing to applaud before the singing is finished. Last night it woul • have been ridiculous, were it not umoying, in the mid lie of .in act just as the last notes of Signoia Zenoni's fine solo were dying away, and Si» nor Rosuati was coming on to the stage, to hear applause which di owned the last notes of the one, and to see the '•tage covered with bouquets, which both singei s must have consuleied an nuwai ranted interruption. During the very fine lendenng of " Lucre tia Borgia" on Wednesday evening, Tve had to suller the same anuoyauco ; ami it is time that attention should lie cilled to interruptions so disconeeiting to tho singeis, and so lintatmg to all who appiccutc the efforts of Signor C\gh's> company. En passant, Would it not be woll if the papers m ero to publish each morning the aigumcnt of tho opeia to be sung in the evening, foi the benefit of those v. ho ni.iy not hase'-uen it before? — I am, <feo , Y.Z.

Tnn Tn'-vrii; Royvl. -Thu alt"nd.iuco ,\l thia theatre was better on Satin iby ni|/ht than on the night previous. The piece produced was the same on both lights, "JNew Men and Old Acies." Tim pl.i} nig of Mr. Hoskins aud Mio. W. Hill was sometimes charming, and elicited th<> hearty applause of the audience. The othei Lulled and gentlemen who had pai ts allotted them discharged their duties well. — To-ni^ht a novelty will be provided, when " The King's Rival" \\\\\ be produced. City Ham.,. —The last exhibition of the diorama of the Anieiiean war was given ou Saturday night to a moderately full house. The attendance was not so numorou* as v,e have obseived almost every night duimg last week, and may re ulily be accounted for by the rather stormy weather which prevailed on Saturday evening. We believe the people at tha Thames aro novf to be treated to an exhibition of the diorama for a short tune.