Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 1, CompleteVarious
General
Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 1, Complete
Various
English wit and humor -- Periodicals
But how shall we parle concerning his voix? That exquisite organ, whose
falsetto emulated the sweetness of flutes, and reached to A flat in
altissimothe voce media of which possessed an unequalled aplomb, whose
deep double G must still find a well-in-tune echo in the tympanum of
every amateur of taste. That, we must confess, as critics and
theoretical musicians, causes us considerable embarras for words to
describe. Who that heard it on Saturday last, has yet recovered the
ravishing sensation produced by the thrilling tremour with which Rubini
gave the Notte dOrrore, in Rossinis Marino Faliero? Who can forget
the recitativo con andante et allegro, in the last scene of La
Sonnambula; or the burst of anguish con expressivissimo, when accused
of treason, while personating his favourite rôle in Lucia di
Lammermoor? Ah! those who suffered themselves to be detained from the
opera on Saturday last by mere illness, or other light causes, will, to
translate a forcible expression in the Inferno of Dante, go down with
sorrow to the grave. To them we say, Rubini est partigone!he has sent
forth his last utconcluded his last rehis ultimate note has
soundedhis last billet de banque is pocketedhe has, to use an emphatic
and heart-stirring mot, coupé son bâton!
It is due to the sentimens of the audience of Saturday, to notice the
evident regret with which they received Rubinis adieux; for, towards
the close of the evening, the secret became known. Animated
conversazioni resounded from almost every box during many of his most
charming piano passages (and never will his sotto-voce be equalled)the
beaux esprits of the pit discussed his merits with audible goût; while
the gallery and upper stalls remained in mute grief at the consciousness
of that being the dernière fois they would ever be able to hear the
sublime voce-di-testa of Italys prince of tenori.
Although this retirement will make the present clôture of the opera one
of the most memorable événemens in les annales de lopéra, yet some
remarks are demanded of us upon the other artistes. In Marino Faliero,
Lablache came the Dodge with remarkable success. Madlle. Loewe, far from
deserving her bas nom, was the height of perfection, and gave her
celebrated scena in the last-named opera avec une force superbe.
Persiani looked remarkably well, and wore a most becoming robe in the
rôle of Amina.
Of the danseuses we have hardly space to speak. Cerito exhibited the
poetry of motion with her usual skill, particularly in a difficult pas
with Albert. The ballet was Le Diable Amoureux, and the stage was
watered between each act.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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