ITALIAN OPERA.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2795, 1 February 1872, Page 2

ITALIAN OPERA.

“ Norma ” was repeated last evening to a well filled house, the lower portions being the best patronised. The opera went even smoother than on the occasion of its first representation ; the choruses showing a decided improvement. All the principal singers were in good voice; and gave the music alloted to each in a very creditable manner. The gems of the opera were Signora Zenoui’s “Casta diva;” the duett between Norma and Adalgisa in the second act, and the famous “Deh Conte,” leading up to the adante “Mira, 0 Norma.” The last mentioned duett was a perfect i and justified the enthusiastic applause which followed its 'conclusion, i- Sfgm»aS Zenoni and Cortesi were twice encored ; and at the conclusion of the second and third acts were called before the curtain, similar honors being paid to Signors Rosnati and Dondi.

To-night “ Lucia di Lammermoor” will be repeated ; and to-morrow evening Guonod’s “ Faust.” From the popularity of the last mentioned opera we anticipate a prodded house. It is scarcely necessary to give the plot In cxtcnsa, as both in its musical hhd dramatic form it lias be§n so frequently played that nearly every frequenter. of the opera bouse and theatre must have witnessed it. We would only remind our readers that as Mephistopbeles Signor Dondi has created a furore in the other colonies. Lest there should be any who are ignorant of the legend, it ruus as follows;—In the prologue we are introduced to Dr Faust, lamenting the loss of his youth, and pining for the renew'al of its past joys. He declares his patience is exhausted, and since Heaven is deaf to his prayers, he invokes the assistance of the prince of darkness. Mephistoph4es appears, and a compact is entered into by whielr'Faust to the tempi-! his chances of salvation, and in re prn ia promised a renewal of his youth and all ita pleasures. The more readdy to ensuie his victim’s compliance, Mephistopbeles shows him in a vision the form of Margaret, a beautiful maiden at her spinning wheel. Fap§t is instantly enamoured of her, and Mephistopbeles promises that he shall he the possessor of her love if he signs the compact. This'he at once does, and ia the next division of the drama we find Faust rejuvenated and eager to plunge into the pleasures that have been promised him. Margaret has a brother. Valentine, a young soldier. He is on the point of departure for the wars, but is overcome with grief at the thought of leaving his sister unprotected. His comrade Siebel relieves his anxiety by promising to watch pver' fat' with a brother’s care, and the friends are faking a paftipg* glass When Mephistopbeles walks in and banteringly prophecies that Valentine will perish by the hand of a friend, and that all flowers shall fade at Siebel’s touch. Mephistopbeles gives them a specimen of his demouac power and Marguerite appears. She rejects the overtures of Faust, but the demon bids him not to despair, and promises him his assistance to gain her love. Siebel likewise becomes euomoured of his friend s sister, but through the agency of the demon, Marguerite falls a victim to the wjles of'Faust.''Valentine petqrns, and w n bearing of his sister’s dishonor, challenges Faust; they fight, and sided by his super’ natural ally, the latter is victorious and Valentine perishes, invoking a malediction on bis sister, unless she repents. In the last act retributifin pveitake§ the guilty maiden, but she implores the aid of "Heaven. Her prayer is beard, and she is released from the influence of her infernal lover, and denouncing him as her brother’s murderer, expires.