ITALIAN OPERA.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 585, 24 November 1871, Page 2

ITALIAN OPERA.

The opera of " Saffo," one of tbe nrodimf; of Pacini, was the theme of last even '*' entertainment, and was performed in f r * a crowded bouse. Tonight the beautiM opera of " Pipele" will be produced, the nl ! of the story of which we subjoin: Actl. —Scenes Ist, 2nd, & 3rd— Tk is laid in Paris, the character"* are' T*? Pipele the Porter (Signor C4randi) Zi*?-' wife Madalena (Signora CovtesV > personal peculiarities of this excellent o i expose them to a certain amount of sid" 1 and practical joking, which i 8 the subW, the first scene, and in which the rin»lead • Cabriore a young painter (Signor ToHriJLj 1 who exhibits a ludicrous full-length ear »t '' of Pipele and his wife, rousing them from th sleep in the middle of the night. T| lc &V closes amid the wrath and; perplexitvo^t?" | persecuted couple and the raillery of the cro a Scene 4th. Next we are introduced to 1) "Jacopo, a rascally old Notary (Signor BriVtfn I who has conceived a passion for a prett-r y workwoman Kigoletta (Signora Cot") k^ however, prefers, the Notary's • Cashkfl Carlo (Signor Zennari) ; the Notary conSnthe Btage brooding on his paasion, and hi jealousy, and speaks of his determination to get rid of Carlo, and put an end to the nra jected match between him and Rigoletta t which he has thought of a wicked expedient • while he. is thus employed, Rigoletta's voice i! heard inside her window singine th« «; "Deserta c Sola." Scene sth. JaVpSf dU appears, and Rigoletta comes, in, full o f her love. Scene 7th. Presently Carlo for whose arrival she has been longing, appears, and they sing the duet " Yieni, a Cara c dun amplessa.? He then" suprisei her with the announcement that they are to be married that same day' Scene Bth.. After another dnet, Pipele waltj in with Madalena on his arm. He gives a ludicrous account of the annoyances he has endured, and the caricature being again displayed, he rents his rage against the author of these insults, in the midst of which Cal-riore who has followed him comes behind and bonnets the unhappy porter, on which there is a general laugh from-the chorus. Here suddenly Jacopo appears with an officer and guards, and give< Carlo in custody on a charge of robbery, amid the general consternation. Act ll.—Scene Ist.—The second act open* with n, soliloquy from Cabriore, who declares hie intention of not abandoning his friend Carlo, whom he determined to get out of pmon, and Peeks to enlist Pipele in the enterprise. He accordingly knocks at Pipele's door, and sueeeds in overcoming his anger, in effecting a reconciliation and obtaining his assistance. A highly comic duet ensues in which they swear alliance on the respective implements of their callings, the awl and the brush, invoking St. Crispin and Michael Angelo to \t itness their engagements. Scene 2nd. In the next scene poor Rigoletta has a meeting with Cabriore. And they lay a plot against Jacopo. He is to receive a note as from a Creole beauty, named Cicely, whom ha is enamoured of, making an assignation to meet him at a Masked Ball. Bigoletta is to personate the Creole, and to wheedle Jacopo into fixing a written paper, on the strength of which Carlo is to be realeased. Scene 3rd. The Scene now changes to the prison, where, in a eolitary antich&mber leading to various cells, Carlo is found bewailing his hard fate. Scene 4th. In the midst of which he is surprised by a visit from Pipele who brings him a note from Rigoletta, explaining to him on what charge he is confined, and: assuring him of his speedy release, and the discomfiture of his enemy. This of course comforts Carlo, and Pipele magnanimously assures him that all ii well. Scene sth. Carlo in the meantime disappears and Pipele finds himself to his horror locked in ; and, frightened by the chorus of prisoners in their wards, he makes frantic efforts to get out. They issue from various places of confinement, stop his exit, invite him to drink and pay hii footing- and finally drag him off in triumph. This i 3 a capital scene, and exhibits to great advantage Signor Grandi's powers as Buffo.

Act TlL—Scene Ist. In the Third Act we are introduced to a gaily lighted ballroom, crowded with maskers. Scene 2nd. Cabriore enters disguised as a minstrel, the crowd gathers round him to hear a story which he promises to tell them. He accordingly narrates plainly enough, thougli withovt giving names, ; the conduct of Don Jacopo, who has come in ! and listens, in mask and domino, as proposed !in the billet which he has reeeiveti. Scene 3rd. Tjie maskers now disperse, - and Eigoletta comes in, in Andalusian Dress, followed by "Pipele : in an, .absurd costume. Cabriore conies back, produces writing materials, and lay* thjein on a table, and, when this is done Jacopo appears again, he has been looking for the Creole, and thinks he has been hoaxed, when Eigoletta presents herself, and addresses him inia feigned Toice ; he now thinks he has found Cicely and makes ardent; love to the/mask. i Sh,e coquettes with him, declares herself jealous of I Eigoletta, and finally induces him to write and sign a paper declaring Carlo's innocence, and. consenting to his please. As soon as he ha^ done this, she discloses herself. He of courie goes into a .furious passion, she runs off with the document, and Jacopo, who prepares to follow her, is stopped by Cabriore and Pipele, who suddenly pounces upon him. They hold him and tell their minds:,a good duet follows between Jacopo and Cabriore. tcene f §t>u'. In the next sc^ne, Maaalena is' alone in a quandary as to what can have become of Pipele, and she indulges- iii reminiscences of her younger days, Jn |a' very effective scene; presently—Scene 7th. Arrive* Pipele, a good' J deal the worse for his potations, and he makes love to, Madalenar, whoni,:iu his present]boh-ii ditipn, he does not know to be his own wife : a very amusing scene'follows between the two_ The last : scene contains the happy-re-union ofsEigoletta^nd Carlo, who,has been realeasedi't ; and ends in geiieral rejoicing, Eigoletta doling 11 the Opera with her Song—" A. far Com- ■ jprendre,;l^ f . ■.. • , 5 ,., "-^ ; : .^, l.i I