Category: Humour
To most of the world (and we say it advisedly,) the opera is a sealed book. We do not mean a bare representation with its accompanying screechings, violinings and bass-drummings. Everybody has seen that--But the race of beings who constitute that remarkable combination; their...
_P. Hen._ "Why then, your brown bastard is your only drink: for, look you, Francis, your white canvas doublet will sully; in Barbary, sir, it cannot come to so much." FIRST PART...
9. Chapter 9The curtain falls, much to the delight of those gentlemen whose sole motive for frequenting the opera, is to have an opportunity of what they term "chaffing" with some fair lady...
7. Chapter 7"A neat, snug study on a winter's night; A book, friend, single lady, or a glass Of claret, sandwich, and an appetite, Are things which make an English evening pass, Though _cer...
4. Chapter 4Every body knows what a prima donna is. She is the _first lady_, and this is a fact apparently better known to the individual herself, than to any body else--at least her action...
2. Chapter 2The Tenor is a small man, seldom exceeding the medium height. His voice is, comparatively speaking, a small voice, and consequently not likely to issue from over-grown lungs. Hi...
1. Chapter 1To most of the world (and we say it advisedly,) the opera is a sealed book. We do not mean a bare representation with its accompanying screechings, violinings and bass-drummings...
3. Chapter 3The Primo Basso is to the primo tenore what the draught horse is to the racer; drawing along the heavy business of an opera, whilst the other goes capering and curvetting throug...
6. Chapter 6We should be much grieved were we to let a chance of immortality at our hands go by, for our great friend the prompter--the suggeritore of the Italians. The prompter is to the o...
5. Chapter 5The Barytone of the opera is probably the most inoffensive individual in the world. This is his peculiarity. Even his fierceness on the stage is done with an effort; and when in...