2-888-718 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Signor Lablache as "Caliban", 1850. Italian opera singer Luigi Lablache in Fromental Halévy's "La Tempesta", at Her Majesty's Theatre, London. 'Caliban's triumph first over Ariel, whom he imprisons in a tree, and next over Miranda, the object of his brutal love, affords the composer and Lablache the opportunity of displaying all the treasures of their respective arts. Lablache's interpretation of the character of Caliban, in this second act, exceeds all praise; he has realized all Shakspeare dreamt off, and makes the spectators feel astonished they could endure for an instant the wretched-singing Calibans of the English stage'. From "Illustrated London News", 1850.