THE ITALIAN OPERA.

Evening Star, Issue 3101, 27 January 1873, Page 3

THE ITALIAN OPERA.

The indisposition of Signor Coy led to the substitution, on Saturday evening, of “ Lucrezia Borgia” for the announced “Lucia di Lammerraoor.” Counter-attractions, the weather, and the alterations, contributed to the rather limited attendance that there was; though the lust-mentioned cause, as much as either of the otheis, if not both, led to that result, as the announcement of the change was made too late, while not a few regard “Lucia” as the more favorite opera here. But those considerations apart, the change was welcome, if only that it gave us another opportunity of heaving Signora Zenoni in one of her best characters, as it is always with a pleasurable feeling that we listen to her as Lucrezia. Whether in “Tranquilla ei posa,” where she apostrophises the sleeping Uennaro, or the succeeding cavatina, “ Com’ e hello,” the trio, “Quai si te sfuggo un muto”—the most delicious piece of operatic music ever written—or in the plaintive “ M’odi ah ! m’odi” —in the last act, there was the same correct and highly finished vocalisation, that has made the prima donna such a favorite. We should have liked to have been able to say that she was as well supported as usual, but such was not the case ; neither did the choruses go as evenly as they might have done, while there was a palpable hitch in the second act, because Signori Benso and Favas did not appear to be aware of the extent to which the “cuttingprocess” had been carried. Signor Bosnati was unfortunately in bad voice, and consequently did not sustain his part of the trio in a manner which could have, pleased himself, or satisfied bis admirery, Nevertheless ho exerted himself to the' utmost, though it was easy to see the effort was a painful one. Signora Kilioldi makes an excellent Orsini, and gave the Uvindisi “ II segreto” with siicl\ spirit as to call forth a unanimous encore. Signor Dondi, as the Duke, would leave nothing to be desired of him if he so modulated his voice in “Vieni la mia vendetta” as to express the feelings he is supposed "to be laboring under at the moment. We were glad to notice our remarks in reference to long waits between the acts had the desired effect. On Saturday the orchestra filled up the intervals by playing the overtures to “Zampa” and “ Guy iMannering,” which, it is almost needless to say, were excellently rendered, and deservedly applauded.— To-night, “ I Puritani” will be repeated.