THE OPERA.

Evening Post, Volume XVI, Issue 22, 7 January 1878, Page 2

THE OPERA.

♦ x< FAUST." Gounod's masterpiece " Faust c Margherita" was produced on Saturday evening to a splendid house. SignoraGuadagniniwas a most charming Margherita, singing and acting exquisitely, often exciting enthusiastic applause. The *' Bijou Song " was an immense triumph, and even finer still was her part in the lovely duet in the third act, with Signor Paladini, who was equally admirable in his part as Faust, and also sang "Salve! dimora" magnificently,- concluding amidst a storm of applause, an encore being insisted on. Signor Cesari was a grand Mephistopheles, both vocally and dramatically; Signor Gambetti similarly excellent as Valentine, and Signora Venosta a delightful Siebel, . whfle_the T minor parts were well sustained. - Tie" ' wb6le T performance was an entire sue- . cess and wiltt»ar more than one repetition. ' To-night's opera is Meyerbeer's "Roberto il Diavofo,'** of which tne argument Condensed is as follows:— Duke Robert "the Devil," of Normaribyjis^he son of a fiend who, disguised in human shape, married Robert's mother. He is a drunken, profligate gambler, his fiendfather in the guise of a friendly knight, encouraging all his worst passions, while his foster-sister Alice uses all her influence to reclaim him, and ultimately rescues him, when he marries Princess Isabella (whom he previously endeavoured to carry off forcibly, assisted by magic), and his fiend-father departe for ever.