THE OPERA.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1852, 29 January 1880, Page 3

THE OPERA.

The very excellent manner in which, as a whole, “ Maritana ” was repeated last night, was a most pleasing contrast to its performance on Friday week. From the first it seemed to go with great life and spirit, but with a total absence of the roughness that characterised its first presentation. Madame Hersee pleased ns much in her role, and was upon this occasion a delightful Maritana, giving her interpretation of the part a marked refinement, and was particularly successful in “The Harp in the air,” and the “pretty Gitana,” which called forth a demand for an encore. Not the least of her successes was “Scenes that are brightest,” and the duet, “Sainted Mather.” Mr Beaumont, in the Don Gasser of the first act, gave the dissipated character of the part with the necessary moderation, and was unquestionably in better voice than upon the previous occasion. Misses Lambert and Royal sustained their characters with very creditable effect. Mr Templeton as Don Joeo exhibited a greater clearness, and Mr Levison as King of Spain is entitled to recognition. Last, but not least, Mr Howell, in his impersonation of the Marquis, was in his usual vein of exquisite humor. The opera of “Aida,” which is announced for to-night, opens in the palace of the King of Egypt, at Memphis, on the eve of a declaration of war with the Ethiopians. Amneris, the King’s daughter, has a favorite Ethiopian slave, who loves and is beloved by Radames, the King’s favorite general. Amneris also loves Radames, who is selected by the oracle to lead the Egyptian army against the Ethiopians, and it is to be rewarded by the hand of Aida if he returns victorious. The enemy is defeated, and Radames returns with the prisoners, amongst whom, although unknown to him, is Amanastro, the King of Ethiopia. Aida recognises in him her father, but is forbidden to betray his rank. Before the celebration of her marriage, Amneris, who has discovered the Jove of Aida for Radames, repairs to the temple of Isis to spend the night in prayer. Amanastro has meantime urged upon Aida to learn from Radames the route the Egyptian army means to follow. Aida and Radames meet outside the temple, and the latter betrays to Aida the route the army will take. This is overheard by Amneris aud Ramphis, the chief priest, who rush out and arrest Radames as a traitor. He is tried by the priest and condemned to be entombed alive. Amneris urges upon him to save his life by marrying her, and abandoning Aida. He refuses, and is consigned to his living tomb, wherein Aida having learned his sentence, has previously concealed herself, and they die together.