130 THE MUSICIAN ABOUT TOWN. 



througliout than that of Malibran ; and in actual accomplishment 

 she decidedly and greatly surpasses her at the same age. All this, 

 in itself, is gratifying enough ; but for the confirmation of her being 

 naturally a musical genius, we should rest upon the simple circum- 

 stance that we found ourselves perpetually recurring to her cordial 

 tones, her spontaneous and unartificial expression, her noble, unme- 

 chanical delivery of her passages, and her sensible manner altoge- 

 ther. In short, if she realize the expectation of all the judges who 

 have only partially witnessed her capabilities, she will at no distant 

 period develope into a consummate artist. 



Madlle. Pauline's second attempt in a new character, which was 

 that of '^ La Cenerentola," on the 15th of June, thoroughly con- 

 firmed the estimate we had previously made of her talent, both na- 

 tural and cultivated. Her embodying of the character we could 

 scarcely pronounce to be the result of a lesson taught, studied, and 

 learnt, though, at her age, such was doubtless the case to a certain 

 extent ; for there were indescribable minutiae in manner, carriage, 

 and general tone, which evinced the young actress of sound sense 

 and developing genius ; while the quality of certain notes in either 

 extremity of her compass, together with the runs of double octaves, 

 which formed so dignified a feature in her sister's style, revived re- 

 gretful thoughts of that eminent creature. In the former part of 

 the character she was the injured, subdued outcast of her family ; 

 and in the latter, the self-asserting, yet generous heroine of con- 

 scious rectitude and good fortune ; and each feature of the character 

 was depicted without harshness of line, or ostentation of display. 

 Her singing throughout was singularly fine for so young an artist ; 

 the clever canone in the second act was encored, chiefly on account 

 of the judicious manner in which she sustained her part in it; and, 

 indeed, we could not avoid drawing a comparison in this very move- 

 ment between the beautifully subdued and genuine concerted singing 

 of this girl of seventeen, and the uneasy display of Tamburini, 

 whose " shivering, bob" notes, eternal roulades without meaning, 

 and ONE cadence, denote the artist of undue success attributable to 

 the strength of a fine vocal organ, rather than to slender accomplish- 

 ments and still slenderer genius. The finale to " La Cenerentola," 

 (J' Non piu mesta") we have, of course, heard executed with greater 

 force and executive finish, but never with more natural feeling and 

 expression. Unlike almost all other singers, too, who stick them- 

 selves by the lamps, and give the audience to understand that they 

 are about to present them wi^ a notable piece of work, Madlle. 

 Pauline every now and then addressed herself with an affectionate 



