OVATION TO A COMPOSES.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 286, 24 July 1873, Page 7

OVATION TO A COMPOSES.

The Naples Correspondent of the Times, writing on April 16, says : — The great excitement of the week, however, has been that occasioned by the success of "Aida" and the triumphs of Verdi, and the demonstrations have been so unusual and so enthusiastic that they deserve a special mention. After much disappointment and long expectation, " Aida" was performed for the first time on Sunday last, then on Tuesday, again on Thursday, and this evening it will be given again for the last time. The crowded house was almost in a state of frenzy on the first occasion, and each time this has increased. Undoubtedly the acting was improved — the performers lost their nervous timidity, and the delicate shades and lights of the music -were made more perceptible. However it was, the audience lost all self* control. On Sunday evening Verdi was called on, not twenty-six, but thirty-eight times ; on the next occasion fifty-one tunes, and on Thursday there was an universal madness. When the Grand March with trumpets was played in the second act the enthusiasm amounted to frenzy. " Bis I Bis!" was re-echoed again and again, and on Verdi's appearing before the curtain in answer to the shouts of the audience, all in the pit stood up, waved hats and handkerchiefs, while sonnets on various colored paper and bouquets were showered down upon him from the boxes. At the close of the second act he was called for again, and received the same ovation ; but, when the curtain rose, the maestro appeared, surrounded by the whole company, while the scene-shifters brought in a magnificent corbeille of flowers arranged most gracefully, and a crown of laurel with two white ribbons attached to it. Signor Musella, the impresario, then approaching, presented the crown to Verdi, who, as may be expected, was much moved. This extraordinary homage was hailed with almost terrific applause, shouts, and clapping of hands, while sonnets and bouquets were poured down as in a. storm. A journal reports that Verdi, on retiring, said to some friend, " Why this is positively Vesuvius in eruption !" And it certainly was a marvellous scene. This evening " Aida " will be performed for the last time, with the assistance of Verdi himself, and a tempest may be expected. The maestro will leave for Basseto to-morrow, and Madame Stolz, who is perhaps the most sintpatica performer of the company, for Ancona, where she is engaged for fifteen nights. The next day the same correspondent writes : — Verdi leaves Naples to-day after a series of ovations such as has scarcely been given to patriot or King. On Saturday "Aida" was performed for the last time under his special direction, and furious as was the enthusiasm which the "maestro" received on other occasions, it was exceeded by the tempest of last Saturday. To say nothing of what occurred within the house, on his leaving it two lines of persons were discovered, bearing torches in their hands, which extended from San Carlo to his hotel in Chiatamone. It was a difficult matter for him to enter his carriage, so great was the pressure of friends and admirers, and when he did so, many of those carrying torches followed him in cabs, while a long line of carriages, filled by ladies and others of the audience, accompanied him. This, however, was not sufficient, for many well-dressed persons in the crowd insisted on taking the horses out of the shafts, and then drawing the " Gran Maestro," as he is called, to his hotel. Here a band oi the National Guard was stationed, and the shouts of the crowd were so continuous that Verdi was compelled to show himself at the balcony seventeen times, according to correct calculations. During the last few days he has, of course, been overwhelmed by visitors and cards, and Verdi will leave to-day as the man whom Naples has delighted to honor more almost than her political savioura. The Impresario Musella, too, has won his laurels, and whereas last year at this time he was covered with abuse he is now exalted, if not to the Seventh, at least to the Sixth Heaven. In which celestial compartment to place Madame Stoltz or Madame Waldmame it would be difficult to say. " Aida" has certainly been presented to a Neapolitan audience with splendid effeot, and by a brilliant company, and the financial results have been satisfactory. On the first four nights the receipts amounted to 48,000 lire, and on the last occasion to 1 1, 195 lire. It has now been performed six times, and, though Verdi was not present on the last two-occasions, it seeing to grow in public favor. An excursion train is expected from Rome with some hundreds of penons to hear the great ope»;a. it ig to arrive in time for the perf orr^aae and will leave again at two in tte morning. Who would have dreamt of such a feat I quarter of a century age, when one left Rome by the diltgenza early u^ the morning of one day and •raved in Naples in the afternotn or evening, ef the next day ? *