Page:Manners and customs of ye Englyshe.djvu/46

MR. PIPS HIS DIARY. with yellow Satin Curtains, did ſhow like a brave Picture in a Gold Frame; which was very handſome to look round upon while the Muſicians were tuning. The Fiddles tuned, and the Overture played, the Curtain up for the Opera; which was the Sonnambula; the Part of Amina acted by. The momentſhe came on the Stage, the Audience, Lords, Ladies, and all, upon their Legs,ſhouting, cheering, waving Hats and Handkerchiefs, and clapping of Hands in white Kid Gloves. But at laſt they ſilent, and let the Nightingale ſing; and for certain ſhe is a wonderful Singer. It did amaze me to hear how eaſy and ſweetly me do trill and warble the moſt difficult Paſſages: and I perceive ſhe hath a rare Ability of Voice. But what did no leſs aſtoniſh me was her Acting, it being as good as her Singing; for ſhe did ſeem to forget herſelf in her Part, inſtead of her Part in herſelf; which is the Miſtake of moſt Opera Singers. To think that ſhe ſhould draw the whole Town in Crowds together to hear her ſing a few pretty Sugar-plum Melodies and portray the Grief of a poor Peaſant Wench caſt off by her Lover! But ſhe do put a Grace and Beauty of her own into the Character and Muſique: which I take to be the Mark of a true Genius. She made to ſing divers Songs twice over, and called upon the Stage at the End of the Act, and again when the Opera was finiſhed; when, good Lack, to ſee the Noſegays and Poſies flung in Heaps upon the Stage! She muſt needs get a Mint of Money by her Singing; but ſhe has ſpent a Deal of it in building Hoſpitals, and I do wiſh (Heaven forgive me !) I had all ſhe has given away in Charity.