. Italian life in town and country . sseif it cannot arrange to have at least half a dozenperformances of some old stager like La Traviala,and as many of Lucia, in the year. The bestmodern operas, including Wagners works, areonly heard, of course, in the chief towns, but theold operas of Donizetti, Bellini, Rossini, and manyof Verdis early ones ma)^ be heard all over and costume are a very weak point in allsave the very best theatres. The chorus in Luciadi Lammermoor wear kilts round their armpitsreaching down to their waists, wath the sporranbehind, trunk hose, and pink tights.
. Italian life in town and country . sseif it cannot arrange to have at least half a dozenperformances of some old stager like La Traviala,and as many of Lucia, in the year. The bestmodern operas, including Wagners works, areonly heard, of course, in the chief towns, but theold operas of Donizetti, Bellini, Rossini, and manyof Verdis early ones ma)^ be heard all over and costume are a very weak point in allsave the very best theatres. The chorus in Luciadi Lammermoor wear kilts round their armpitsreaching down to their waists, wath the sporranbehind, trunk hose, and pink tights. In theTraviata the heroine is attired in the latest Parisfashion, Alfredo and his father are in Louis , the chorus in the banqueting scene ina sort of Queen Elizabeth Renaissance style withruffs, while the maid in the dying scene is neatlydressed in black, with a white cap and apronwhich would not disgrace a Bayswater favourite operas are known by heart by everyone, and on arriving at an Italian town you can. C3 Z >< I a< Amusements of the People 259 generally tell which one is being performed by-listening to the people singing and whistling inthe streets. The words of the libretti are almostclassical quotations, and are put to use on everyoccasion. Enthusiastic opera-goers even nametheir children after their favourite operatic general standard of excellence in the dramais much higher than in the opera. Small touringprovincial companies which perform at Parma, atPotenza, at Rimini, act remarkably well, withoutranting or screaming, but with the utmost sim-plicity. There is always life and movement, andthe actors all play up to each other are hardly any first-rate tragic actors, nowthat Signor Salvini has left the stage, but forordinary plays there is a large number of excel-lent performers. As in the opera, there is next tonothing in the way of scenic display or elaboratecostumes; everything depends on the r
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