A Remarkable Opera Troupe.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 236, 19 May 1874, Page 7

A Remarkable Opera Troupe.

The following is from the Swiss Times : Au extraordinary public entertainment has been produced in Lima, Peru, by an Italian named Coutarini, who proposes to bring his exhibition to Europe. He has trained, by dint of patience and perseverance, an opera company, made up of thirty parrots and parroquets, who perform two of Bellini's operas, " Norma," and " Sonnambula," on a miniature stage, with full chorus and recitative. The director and manager accompanies the artists on a piano-lurmonium, and the perfection with which each bird sings his part and the excellence of the chorus are prodigious. The debut of his lyrico-ornitholo-gical company in " Norma" was attended by the whole of the wealth and fashion of Lima. When the parroquet that sang the contralto had finished the allegro to the " Salutation to the Moon," such was the enthusiasm, the shouting, and the applause, at hearing a bird sing the " Casta Diva," that the company, Affrighted, took flight, and nought refuge among the side'scenes. Thin interrupted the performance for fully a quarter of an hour, and Signor Contarini had to tranquilise the " artists" by giving them bread soaked in wine. Thenceforth, the expressions of approbation wore moderated, in order not to spoil the play. It appears that the bird artists have now become accustomed to the applause. The correctness and propriety with which they give certain parts of the opera are wonderful. The primt tvnoro possesses all the airs and graces of the school of Mario, and the ladies of Lima kava'hamed the prima donna, Patti.