Muzio Italian Opera: Il trovatore—Garibaldi Fund Benefit

“An exceedingly benevolent audience assembled last night at Niblo’s Garden for the dual purpose of assisting the laudable enterprise of Italian unification and listening to the somewhat familiar work of ‘Trovatore.’ We doubt if the Garibaldi Fund was materially benefited, and we are quite certain that no one person in the house heard the whole of ‘Trovatore.’ That fickle-minded tenor, Massimiliani, did not appear—he never does when specially announced; but little Tamaro made an agreeable, though not forcible, substitute.  Bellini was the star of the evening. His entrance was greeted with prolonged and genuine applause, and his carriage during the entire evening demanded and received the most enthusiastic applause. He wisely declined repeating ‘Il Balen,’ although the D. H.’s that fringed the dress circle insisted upon it long after the few bona fides had subsided. Mme. Francis Tabacchi, the Leonora of the occasion, is a pleasant but tender plant, and her voice was found insufficient for the exigencies of the occasion.  Mme. Amalia Patti (used to be Strakosch) reappeared in her favorite role of Azucena, meeting with her usual fortune.  A united orchestra, not to mention a united chorus, would be quite as agreeable to the patrons of the opera as this scheme for a united Italy.”