THE ITALIAN OPERA.

Evening Star, Issue 3094, 18 January 1873, Page 3

THE ITALIAN OPERA.

“ I Pnritani,” one of the best, yet one of the least performed works of Bellini, was produced last evening to what may be fairly called a crowded house, liven the vast circle of the Queen’s was filled, i.e., all the scats from which a good view could be obtained were occupied ; while many preferred to stand rather than sit in the side seats (which in a few days, we are gla*l to say, are to be converted into boxes and carried back); and in the pit and stalls not a seat could be had. And the audience was only worthy of the performance, which we do not hesitate to say could not have been equalled out of the great seats of the lyric drama on the Continent—Loudon, or Paris. Shortly stated, “I Puritan! ” is in every respect the best effort of the company, and is a great triumph for Signora Coy. whose Elvira is as much above her Lucia, the excellence of which is admitted, as the latter transcends any of her other impersonations. The alternations of melody by which Bellini has so aptly described the various phases of the character of his heroine are done full justice to by the Signora, who was as successful in the scenes where, deprived of reason, she bewails her lover’s loss in tones deeply sympathetic—as in those sparkling and florid passages, which breathe thorough joyfulness. Whether in the sympathetic opening duet, “ Sai come arde,” or in the polacca, “Son vergin vezzosa,” than which two greater extremes could not be found, her vocalisation was perfect. The latter and the aria “'Qui la voce,” were splendid examples of her matchless bravura singing, and the rendering of each created a furore, calling forth loud plan lits an-I showers of bouquets. The duett “ Nel u.irarti,” in the third act, terminated a‘succession of delights. The Signora was ably assisted by Signor Coy, who was in excellent ‘voice, and by Siguoi i Dondi and Tounerie. The former sang the romanza “Cinti di tiori,” in a manner that gained for him an encore ; and the latter the aria “Ah per sempre,” in which are related the effects of illrequited love, in good style, and they pqt their best energies into the martial unisio'qf tfie duett with which tips second get concludes. Thp well-known' and soul-stirring “ Suoni la ti pmba,” us it has ever done when sung by these artistes, created immense enthusiasm, the audience refusing to be satisfied with less than its repetition. With the exception of the final chorus, which flagged a little, the choruses were well given. The principal artistes wore honored with calls at the end of each of the four acts, as the first in the score, on account of its length,'was divided; and at the conclusion of the opera it fairly rained bouquets at the feet of the prima donna. ‘T Puritani” will bear repeating. To-night, “II Trovatore ” is to be given.