Project Gutenberg's Physiology of The Opera, by John H. Swaby (AKA "Scrici")

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Title: Physiology of The Opera

Author: John H. Swaby (AKA "Scrici")

Release Date: April 4, 2010 [EBook #31880]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

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haviour
ancle
ancles
donna
donna's
habitues
parquette
poignard
prima
Simms
tenore

Physiology of the Opera.

"I both compose and perform Sir: and though I say it, perhaps few
even of the profession possess the _contra-punto_ and the
_chromatic_ better."

CONNOISSEUR. No. 130.

"I see, Sir--you
Have got a travell'd air, which shows you one
To whom the opera is by no means new."

BYRON.

PHYSIOLOGY

OF

THE OPERA.

[Illustration]

BY SCRICI.

PHILADELPHIA. WILLIS P. HAZARD, 178 CHESNUT ST. 1852.

COPYRIGHT SECURED ACCORDING TO LAW.

Introduction.

As an introduction to the dissertation upon which we are about to enter,
such an antiquarian view of the subject might be taken as would tend to
establish a parallel between the ancient Greek tragedy and the modern
sanguinary Italian opera, the strong resemblance therein being displayed
of Signor Salvi trilling on the stage, to the immortal Thespis jargoning
from a dung-cart. But we shall indulge in no such wearying pedantry.
Our intention being merely to "hold the mirror up to nature," in
presenting our immaterial reflector to the public, we invite our readers
to a view of the present only--a period of time in which they take most
interest, since they adorn it with their own presence.

We feel satisfied that few of the ladies who take a peep into this
mirror, will find any cause to break it in a fit of petulancy after
having looked upon the attractive reflection of their own lovely
features. Few young gentlemen will throw down a glass that gives them a
just idea of their striking an