THE OPERA.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 577, 15 November 1871, Page 3

THE OPERA.

Pbobablt the most successful performance of the season took place last night at the Prince of Wales theatre, when " La Sonnambula " was presented to a house crowded to excess. This opera—a great favorite universally- was rendered with perfection, and the plaudits elicited showed the strong sympathy of the spectators and their appreciation of the _ excellence of the performance. To-night the opera will be " Un Eallo in Maschera," a synopsis of the plot of which we subioin

TJ n P-allo in Maschera (Hie Masked Ball) Scribe'e libretto of Gusfcavus the Third, was written expressly for production at the Theatre San Carlos, at Naples, but the censor made so many objections ;>ml prohibitions, that Guiseppe Verdi in disgust jumped on board the steamboat and returned home, despite the threats of actions, damages, and interests of fabulous amounts that the manager of the San Carlos claimed from him. One year passed before Verdi made up his mind to present hi.? opera at another theatre. At last he consented, and, in the year 1859, he sent it to the Theatre Apollo,in Rome. Again did Gustavus the Third have to submit (thanks to the censor) to fresh alterations ; so Gustavus the Third became Un Ballo in Maschera, and the scene of action, in place of being Sweden, was laid at Boston, in America. Richard (Signor Rosnati), Earl of Warwick", Governor of Boston, an English posses ion, has for his secretary a Creole, Benato (Signor Coliva), who is married to a lady named Amelia, (Signora Zenoni). Eichard loves Adelia, nevertheless Renalo is his best friend and most faithful follower. Samuel (Signor Dondi) and Tom (Signor Grandi) are the leaders of a discontented and revengeful faction, who are always conspiring, ami always watching for an opportunity to get rid of Richard. There is also a Bohemian, a sybil—in the vulgar tongue a fortune-teller —that the public authorities wish to banish, but Richard protects her against them, and, in disguise, visits her abode to hea.- her tell his fortune. The prophetess, without kuowing who it is, predicts that he -will be aasasnnated by a friend, and that the assassin will be he who shall first grasp Rici ard's hand. At this moment Renato arrive?, recognL-03 tho Governor, and shakes him warmly by the hand. Richard has no faith in the prophecy, and treats it as unworthy of serious thought. He has overheard the sybil direct Adelia to procure a rank herb that grows at the foot of the gibbet in the place of public execution (a lonely and deserted spot), a distillation of.which will at once destroy the love she feels for Eichard, and restore her former peace of mind ; and thitter he follows her for the purpose of declaring his love. During thoii< brief meeting Renato appears to warn Richard that the conspirators are on hie track, and to beg of him to seek safety in n>ht, premising to lead the veilest lady to the citj gates, without inquiring who or what sho is ; Hichail escapes. Tom and Samuel arrive ; furious a1 not finding their prey, they arc about to fctack Renato, when Adelia steps between hr husband and the conspirators, her veil falls, £id she is discovered. Reuato, to avenge th/Oatrage on his honor, joins in the plot agatist Richard, and stabs him at a masked aall. "Richard, during his dying moment declacaa the innocence of Adelia, and nances a wrftt»r, order from hi 3 breast, j n v ;«ue of wbioh Renato and Atieiia were l« jj a j sailed for England on the following ,vr. Italian authors had some difficulties to contend with in translating their poems from the works of other countries : for instance, if the principal character iv a drama or opera bore the same name as the reigning sovereign, or the ancesl or of the sovereign, it had to be changed ; the magic word "Liberty" was suppressed ; all conspiracy against any established power, although it were only fiction, was suppressed. So ranch for the public censor as he then existed in Italy.