THE ITALIAN OPERA.

Evening Star, Issue 3100, 25 January 1873, Page 2

THE ITALIAN OPERA.

Signora Bosisio had given us such a foretaste of r dramatic powers that we were fully prepared to find her sustaining the difficult pait of Violetta in “Traviata,” which was performed last evening to a full house, with that conscientiousness which is the necessary result of a thorough appreciation of its lights and shadows. Her Violetta is in the earlier scenes a woman of such shadowy gaiety as could only be found in one of the supposed character of Verdi’s heroine; who, when she really loves, does so with a true woman’s strenoth,yet is prepared to sacrifice that love sooner than imperil her lover’s worldly prospects; and who, when she falls a victim to the insiduous disease which has attacked her, dies with the knowledge that the errors of her early life were in a measure compensated for by her good actions, which brought their reward only too late. While each of those phases of tho character was portrayed with fidelity, it was in the last act that the Signora appeared to the most advantage as an actress. In look and action she was the creature f-'st hurrying into the grave ; and nothing could be more natural than the manner of her death. Her vocalisation was also very fine. The oabaletU, “ Sempre libera,” was her best effort, being splendidly sung ; and her part in tho duetts “ Dite alia giovane,”_and “Parigi o te cara,” left nothing to be desired. On the whole her Violetta was a decided success, and as such was regarded by the audience, who were lavish in their applause; while at the termination of tho opera the prima donna received an ovation. Signor Coliva’s Germont is another of the highly finished performances of that artiste. His acting and singing arealike thoroughly effective ; and his rendering of the aria, ‘‘DiProvenca il mar,” all but gained for him an encore, though it would have been better had people restrained their enthusiasm a little and all >wed him to finish it. Signor Rosnati as Alphonso, gave thobrindisi “ Libiamo,” with spirit, and obtained a well-deserved round of applause for the fine style in which he sang the aria, “Un di folice,” and the vigorous manner in which he gave “ Ogni suo aver,” in the last scene of the third a-t, where he charges Violetta with perfidy, and flings her portrait at her feet. Between the third and final acts, Mr Beaumont, the stage manager, came before the curtain, and announced, amidst applause, that the season had been such a successful one, that Mr West had made arrangements with the proprietors for its extension for another twelve nights, during which time would be produced several operas, including “Macbeth,” for the first tinpj in Dunedin, and “ L’Ebreo,” for the fir t time in the Oplppies. We may mention that we have been requested to bring under the notice of the management the fact that the long deltiys which take place between the acts are causing a good deal of dissatisfaction, au4 that many families, who reside out of town, are prevented from attending, because the hour at which the performance concludes is thus unnecessarily made very late. We feel sure we have only to mention the matter to ensure ground f°r complaint being removed. To night “ Lucrezia Borgia ” will be repeated.