Westward the course of empire takes its way.
The four first acts already past,
A fifth shall close the drama with the day;
Time’s noblest offspring is the last.
I have great faith in this; and if for empire we read opera, the prediction will, probably, in the course of half a century, be also verified. The New-York American says, ‘It is settled that we are to have a permanent opera-house. The ground has been bought, the subscription opened, 60,000 dollars out of 100,000 were at once taken, ten trustees appointed, and an application will be made next Session of the legislature to incorporate the “Italian Opera Association,” with a capital stock of 100,000 dollars.’ The Italian Opera, therefore, is now naturalized in a country which was only discovered about the time that the lyric drama had its origin in Europe!
23rd.—In the history of the march of intellect, the swan, it seems, will make a figure. In spite of what has been said of her ‘silent throat,’ and of her singing ‘her first and last’ when at the point of death, it now appears that she is become accomplished, to a certain degree at least, in the vocal art. A Sunday paper (Bell’s) of this day, states, that a periodical work published at Stralsund contains a paper on the song of the swan, by an eminent naturalist in Pomerania, which he closes by observing that, ‘in a state of nature, the swan, as evening approaches, joins with its companions in a species of choral melody, which falls upon the ear, in the distance, with the sweetness almost of an Æolian harp. But when a person is near, it more resembles the quick sharp clang of a carriage traversing frozen snow on a sledge.’ According to the author’s account, the chorus is not unlike the Russian horn-band, ‘for each bird emits but a single note, and a response is given by each of his clan. The fishermen consider the swan’s song as prognosticating a storm.’
FOREIGN MUSICAL REPORT.
VIENNA.
Josephstadt Theater.—Donizetti’s opera Der Verwiesene aus Rom (L’ Esule di Roma) has been brought out here with tolerable success, though it is not likely to become a permanent favourite. Die Stumme von Portici has also been produced, and was well received.