FEATHERED OPERATIC "ARTISTES."

Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1176, 15 May 1874, Page 4

FEATHERED OPERATIC "ARTISTES."

The following is from the Swiss Times: —An extraordinary public entertainmont has been produced in Lima, Peru, by an Italian named Contariui, who proposes to bring his exhibition to Europe. He has taught and trained, by dint of great patience and perseverance, an opera company, made up of 30 parrots and parroquets, who perform two of Bellini's operas, " Norma" and Sonnambula," on a miniature stage, with full chorus and recitative. The director and manager accompanies the artists on a piano-harmonium, and the perfection with which each bird sings his part and the excellence of the chorus are prodigious. The debut of his lyricoornithological company in "Norma" was attended by the wealth and fashion of Lima. When the parroquet that sang the contralto had finished the allegro to the " Salutation to the Moon," such was the enthusiasm, the shouting and the applause at hearing a bird sing the " Casta Diva" that the bird company, affrighted, took flight, and sought refuge among the side scenes. This interrupted the performance for fully a quarter of an hour, and Siguor Contariui had to tranquillisc the " artists" by giving thern bread soaked in wine. Thenceforth the expressions of approbation were moderated, in order not to spoil the play. It appears that the bird artists have now become accustomed to the applause. The correctness and propriety with which they give certain parts of the opera are wonderful. The primo tenoro possesses all the airs and graces of the school of Mario, and the ladies of Lima have named the prima donna Patti.