24th. Paganini has been created a Baron and Commander of Westphalia; the title to be hereditary, descending to his male heirs. If, says the Nouvelliste—whence I obtain this information—nobility will not ensure talent, this elevation proves at least that talent will sometimes ensure nobility. No doubt many will smile at such a creation; but let such look at our house of Peers, and see how many have been sent there with no recommendation whatever, except the possession of wealth, and the will to misapply it.
FOREIGN MUSICAL REPORT.
MILAN.
THE Scala opened for the season on the 26th Dec. with a musical drama by Donizetti, entitled Fausta, new to this city, but which had been already brought out at Naples with but doubtful success. Its fate here has not been much better; the story of the opera did not please the habitués of the Scala; and the music was considered inferior to the later compositions of Donizetti, more particularly to his Anna Bolena, of which many traces and reminiscences are continually occurring in the Fausta. Nevertheless, Madame Tosi gave all the support of her talents, both as a singer and an actress, to the piece. The tenor Pedrazzi is also much praised; but the début of Zucchelli was much less favourable; his voice was considered feeble, and his manner wanting in energy and warmth. When he left Paris his voice was already growing weak, and consequently not calculated for the Scala, the size of which theatre demands power.
The Teatro Carcano opened with Bellini’s Capuletti e Montecchi, the part of Juliet by Madame Roser Balfe, Romeo by Mdlle. Michell, and Tebaldo (the tenor) by Bonfigli. Though this opera is far from being a novelty in Milan, it still retains a great share of popularity.
Mercadante has been very unfortunate this season; his Gabriella di Vergi met with but middling success, in spite of the talents of Madame Ungher, and although the music is said not to be without merit, particularly Madame Ungher’s cavatina, a trio between that lady, Cartagenova, and Winger, and a duet in the second act. It appears, therefore, that the subject of the libretto must have injured the exertions of the composer. He met with another check at Genoa, where his Ipermnestra (an opera written by him at Lisbon, when he was manager of the theatre there) was very coolly received, though well performed by Madame Schutz, Mdlle. Cesari, and the tenor Binaghi.
ROME.
A new opera has been performed at the Teatro Valle, called Il Furioso all’ isola di S. Domingo, the libretto by Ferretti, and the music by Donizetti. The music secured the success of the piece. It is said to be full of effect and novelty. From the introduction to the final rondeau, every piece was listened to with enthusiasm and applauded con furore. The execution was worthy of the composition. Mdlle. Elisa Orlandi, and the tenor Ronconi, who performed il Furioso, were particularly applauded. This is by far the most successful performance that has been produced at any Italian theatre for a long time.