From 'Weber to Verdi there is a descent in the
musical scale. This descent we felt when we went to Her Majesty's Theatre on Tuesday, to witness the performance of Nino, (or rather Nabueo,) the weakest of the Italian maestro's weak operas. It was produced for the debfit of Signor Lorenzo, a baritone, in the character of the Assyrian monarch. He is a man of a goodly presence, and his acting exhibited considerable energy -and passion. His voice was sometimes rich and powerful, but unequal; and his declamation was distinct, though with an exaggerated precision of arficulation, that savoured of mannerism. Mademoiselle Parodi looked imposing in the haughty Amazon Abigaele; but she was zu prepared for the part, and several of its most striking passages were omitted.
Verdi's Ernani was selected on Thursday for the debfit of Mr. Sims Reeves, who had appeared in that opera with great distinction in Italy. The performance of our English tenor was worthy of his reputation. He acted with energy, and sang with the purity and finish of a consummate Italian vocalist, Mademoiselle Parodi's Elvira had many beauties : in no previous characterhas she acted with somuchpassion and apparent freedom. The deeply tragic catastrophe was powerfully represented, but marred by another of those foolish encores. When Elvira, after vainly imploring the implacable old uncle to spare Ernani, threw herself distractedly into her husband's arms, the effect was deeply pathetic, and the audience ap- plauded vehemently. Receiving this as an encore, the performers went through the whole a second time ! again Elvira knelt at Silva's feet, and again she threw herself into Ernani's arms—every movement, tone, and geiture, being the same as before ; a display of the mere mechanism of the art which effectually destroyed its empire over the feelings. When will musical actors come to understand that by these doings they lower themselves and disparage the art they profess ? Signor Lorenzo was more successful in the character of Don Carlos than be had been in Nino : but, though his voice is naturally good, it has evi- dently been very imperfectly cultivated, and the defects of his declama- tion were still perceptible. He has seemingly taken too late to the study of his profession. The steady excellence of Belletti was felt in both operas. The young and vigorous danseuse Marie Taglioni comes this year with all her well-known force and confidence, and with a finish and ease to which her admirers have been less accustomed. The admirable dancing of Mademoiselle Carlotta Grisi, and the novelty of the tableaux in the new ballet, have made such a favourable impression on the habitués, that a reaction in favour of the Terpsichorean portion of operatic amusements is quite " on the cards." The Jenny Lind furore completely absorbed all other enthusiasm ; but since the Swedish Nightingale has departed, an excitement may possibly be raised from other causes ; and as the Italian composers have confessedly run dry, now if ever is the time for Mr. Lumley to " work " the ballet.
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