"_Dov' e mai quel core amante_," she murmured in Italian, as la Tinti
began the delightful _aria_ of the _stretto_ in which she implores
pity for her grief. "But what is the matter? The pit are
dissatisfied--"
"Genovese is braying like a stage," replied the Prince.
In point of fact, this first duet with la Tinti was spoilt by
Genovese's utter breakdown. His excellent method, recalling that of
Crescentini and Veluti, seemed to desert him completely. A _sostenuto_
in the wrong place, an embellishment carried to excess, spoilt the
effect; or again a loud climax with no due _crescendo_, an outburst of
sound like water tumbling through a suddenly opened sluice, showed
complete and wilful neglect of the laws of good taste.
The pit was in the greatest excitement. The Venetian public believed
there was a deliberate plot between Genovese and his friends. La Tinti
was recalled and applauded with frenzy while Genovese had a hint or
two warning him of the hostile feeling of the audience. During this
scene, highly amusing to a Frenchman, while la Tinti was recalled
eleven times to receive alone the frantic acclamations of the house,
--Genovese, who was all but hissed, not daring to offer her his hand,
--the doctor made a remark to the Duchess as to the _stretto_ of the
duet.
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