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76
ANNALS OF THE
ihiama cost?" He was about to proceed the third time,
when the voice called out :
"
Bedad, Misther Ruby, the
full of your nose of snuff would be worth sixpence." The
effect may be easily imagined.
Signer de Begnis was considered the best Figaro in the
world. His " Largo al factotum " was, indeed, a most
artistic effort, not alone vocally, but in a dramatic point
of view. He possessed the vis conrica to an extraordinary
degree and the ;
rapidity of his pronunciation in the "Ah,
bravo, Figaro; bravo, bravissimo," while dancing from one
end of the stage to another, was very remarkable, every
syllable telling. De Begnis was deeply marked from the
effects of small-pox, but on the stage this did not show,
or dimmish the effect of his otherwise favourable appear-
ance and most telling eye. Although very active in his
professional capacity, he was otherwise indolent. He
lived in D'Olier-street, but should have a car to drive
round the corner to the stage-door. He was frequently
remonstrated with on this unnecessary proceeding, but
without effect.
Madame Blasis was a finished artiste, and had made a suc-
cess at His Majesty's Theatre, where the troupe had been
performing. Curioni was a careful tenor, with a sweet
voice, of no great compass. (The music of Sonnambula
"ivould have astonished him.) De Angeli was an excellent
musician, and had a daughter (also his pupil), whom
we shall find later on a prima-donna, Giubilei was a
good basso : so the " cast " was strong. Signor
Spagnoletti led with his bow, playing his violin at intervals
(the conductor's baton had not as yet been introduced).