FRENCH TREATRICAIS.
We were right in the conjecture that the fear of a legal collision with M. Victor Hugo was the cause of giving the new name of Proscritto to Verdi's Ernani. Some years ago, the French dramatist brought an action with respect to this opera, the plot of which was manifestly taken from his own tragedy ; and the matter was compromised, by his consent that the Italian opera should be performed three or four times in Paris—and no more. On this occasion, the production of the Italian Ernani has been prohibited altogether ; and accordingly, a plot has been contrived by which the libretto becomes independent of the tragedy. The scene is transferred to Venice, and the Emperor Charles the Fifth is attenuated into a Doge. Mademoiselle Sophie Cruvelli, and MM. Belletti, Calm- Ian, and Arnaud, are the principal personages in the cast. The huge " drama " of La Faridondaine, which is now making the for- tune of M. Marc Fournier, the director of the Porte St. Martin, sets forth
the fortunes of a female vocalist, who emerging from obscurity, first cre- ates an immense sensation at a cafeehantarit, and afterwards sinks into 'the lowest abyss of misery. She is called "La Faridondaine " because it is by a song of this class that she makes her reputation. One of the great featnree in the piece, the plot of which is built up of the most curious ad- ventures, is the representation of a café chantant, with the most truthful reality. Madame Hfibert-Massy has achieved a decided aliment in the chief character, both as a vocalist and as an actress.
Before quitting La Farielondaine we may mention an incident which Mr. ts.lharles Mathews might stigmatize i tize as peculiarly French. The singer of the Parisian café, who has risen to the rank of prima donna at Milan, hopes to realize an independent fortune' hut breaks down in the middle of a part through the effects of—approaching maternity. This, it must be admitted, is a striking termination to an act.
Une Femme gui as grise, the name of a one-act vaudeville by MM. Guenfie and Delacour, recently produced at the Varietes, looks an ugly title enough. But things prove to be not so bad as they seem. The young lady, who appears to belong to a hideous category, has only in- curred the sad suspicion through using a preparation of rum as a means for promoting the growth of hair.
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