THE OPERA.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1859, 7 February 1880, Page 3

THE OPERA.

A good house was attracted last night, by the announcement that *■ Rigoletto ” was to be produced. This opera contains nothing that may bo set down as very popular with the exception of “ La donna 6 mobile.” The quartette, in the last act “ Un di se ben rammentomi,” may be mentioned as being the best thing in the whole work. The performance of the first scene called for no special mention. The scene between Q-ilda (Madame Hersee) and Rigoletto (Signor Verdi) was ■well given by the artistes named, but the orchestra here was sadly adrift. The duet between Gilda and the Duke (Signor Coy) was particularly effective, especially at its close. In the air “ Caro nome,” in this act, in the scene where Gilda appears on the verandah, Madame Hersee secured liberal applause, and the chorus “ Zitti Zitti ” was alike excellent, both as regards the voices and orchestra. Signor Verdi’s acting where he discovers that he has been assisting in the abduction of his daughter, instead of, as he thought, the Countess, showed him to advantage, as also was his effort in the scone where he struggles with the courtiers. In this scene there are some neat staccato passages for the cello, which were very creditably executed. The duet between Gilda and Rigoletto at the close of this act was another feature worthy of mention. In the third act the air by the Duke produced its usual result in an encore for Signor Coy, and the quartette which follows, which has been mentioned before, was undoubtedly beyond praise. Signora Venosta as Maddalena, who does not appear until this act, contributed in her usual artistic manner towards its success in the scene with the Duke, in which he is making love to her, unaware of the presence of the rest of the quartette outside. In the concluding scene, whore Rigoletto discovers that the sack contains the body of his daughter instead of that of the Duke, Signor Verdi was not deficient in the dramatic effect ho imparted to it. To-nigbt, which is the last of the season, is to be produced Auber’s “ Fra Diavolo,” the plot of which is as follows : —A baud of carbineers, sent to secure the bandit, Fra Diavolo, are drinking at an inn. Lorenzo, the captain, is in love with Zerlina, the innkeeper’s daughter, who is to be married to a wealthy farmer against her will. Lord and Lady Alleash arrive, having been robbed on their journey. Lorenzo departs with his men to capture the band. Fra Diavolo enters disguised as the Marquis San Marco, and learns that Lord Allcash has about him a sum of money, Lorenzo defeats the robbers and returns some of the stolen property, but refuges to be rewarded, and Lord Allcasb persuades Zerlina to accept the proffered reward. Beppo and Giacomo, two of the band, enter disguised as pilgrims, and stay at the inn. Zerlina on retiring to rest is startled by a laugh from the robbers, when she dances and sings before the glass. She afterwards go#'

to sleep, and Beppo is about to stab her when Lorenzo returns. The supposed marquis tells Lurd Allcash that he has appointed a meeting with his wife, and Lorenzo that he has come after Zerliua. Lorenzo challenges him and he accepts. Zerlina is surprised at hearing the song she sang the evening before and looking round perceives the two robbers imitating her dancing. She communicates her suspicions, the robbers are seized and Giacomo, under threat of being shot, is made to toll the hermitage bell, the signal for Fra Diavolo to appear, who comes and is surrounded and secured.