The Press.
London, England, 1856-05-31 00:00:00

sans ? Now, let Piccolomini hear through THE
PRESS what her own personal friends say of her in
the pit of Her Maje-ty's Theatre. They plead for
her personal attractions, for her youthfulness, and
fur her dramatic impulsiveness—they apologise for
her defects of voice and method, on the ground of her
being prematurely brought out in this country, and
they argue that if time be given to her to practise,
she may yet be a Pasta or a Grisi. This is fair
criticism of Piccolomini's pretensions. Those who
have seen Mme. Doche, will know that the pretty
and piquante Italian is far inferior to the French-
woman. It is absurd, therefore, to speak of the new
comer as a Ristori or a Rachel. If Helen Faucet
were to play the last act of Vioietta, what would be
then the delineation of Piccolomini? Mr. Lumley,
not the less, has a prize in store, if he knows how to
turn it to the best account. Piccolomini possesses
dramatic points in her acting which may place her
in the first rank of lyric artistes. A reconsideration
of the earlier scenes of Viotetta would be useful; she
must recollect that "La Dame," although a
lorette," is not a " grisette."
La Traviata was performed last Saturday, Tuesday,
and Wednestlay, and will be repeated to-night (Sa-
turday). Last night, instead or Thorsdav, an extra
sight was given, with the Sonuatabala. Next M. n
d.y the Trovatore will be produced, with Mine. Alber-
ti ( Mme. Baucarde), Mme. Alboni (the Cuuht .ss
Pepoli), and Baucarde, the French tenor. The
director exhibits much activity, and is carrying out
the pledges of his prospectus honourably.

ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA.
Lacrezia Borgia was repeated on Wednesday, and
the Comte Ory on Tuesday. Rigolett°, with its
powerful cast, will he again given to-night (Saturday ).
The fine acting of Ronconi, and splendid singing of
Bosio and Mario, render Rigoletto one of the mo-t
auractive works of the lioertoire. Next Wednesday
Ristori, the great Italian tragedian, who has rivalled
Rachel even in her own Paris, will make her first
appearance in this c.iuntry as Medea, a par: written
expressly for Rachel by Legouve, but which she re-
jected. It was then translated by Montonelli for
Ristori, who achieved an immense success in it.

CONCERTS OF THE WEEK.
Tus fourth Philharmonic scheme was gorgeous in
orchestral gems—Mozart's immortal Jupiter sym-
phony, Spohr's scientifically-chromatic symphony in
D minor, Mendelssohn's fairy overture to the Mid-
summer Niphee Dream, Beethoven's dramatic Fidelio
overture, and Beethoven's gigantic concerto in G. the
Titanic proportion of which set at defiance Herr Otto
Goldschmides limited appliances of grandeur of
style and of nimble digitation. Haydn's concerto
for the violoncello was t io dry and antiquated for the
Italian sentiment of Piatti's style. The vocalisms
were superb, being Mme. Clara Nuvellu in Citnarosa's
"Ali ! parlate," Viardot's grand declamation in
Gluck's "Invocation I la Heine," and the artistic
combination of these two singers in Rossini's duo,
Quis est homo."
Miss Messent., the singer, and Mr. Brinley
Richards, the pianist and composer, convoked their
friends at Willis's-rooms last Tuesday evening, the
fifth meeting of the Musical Union having taken
place in the same locality in the afternoon. Ernst,
Cooper, Hill, Piaui, Howell, Halle, Remusat (flute),
Barret (oboe), Harper (horn), were heard in
Hummers septet in D minor, and in other works by
Mendelssohn, S. Bach, and Beethoven. Mme. Clara
Schumann, on the same morning, had a pianoforte
recital at the Hanover square Rooms, in which she
displayed her thorough acquaintance with the
Schools of various maters in works by Chopin, Men-
delssohn, Bach, Beethoven, and Dr. Schumann.
Scarcely had the visitors reacued their homes, after
the recital, when the rooms were reopened for the
evening concert of the rising singer, Miss Stabbach.
Mention must be honourably made of a soirée on
Wednesday, given by Mr. W. G. Cusins, at the
Harley-street Beethoven Rooms. Mr. Cusins is
known to the musical public as organist to her Ma-
jesty, and to the Royal Italian Opera, in the orchestra
of which he also plays es a violinist. He is also
distinguished as no o.dinary pianoforte player, and
as • young composer whose works are beginning to
attract attention. Mr. Cusins is a type of the Eng-
lish professors of the present day, who, abandoning
the pothouse practices of players of former days,
cultivate their talents assiduously both at home and
abroad, become linguists, and seek to render their
presence acceptable to refined circles by gentleman
like bearing and conduct as well as by their pro-
fessional abilities.

Guilio Itegondi, the guitarist sod concertinaist, has
been from a child before the musical public in Eng-
land: but he has never ceased to improve in his
vocation. His morning concert is one of the agree-
able annual 3 amateurs look out for with renewed
gratification. Out of instruments, naturally un•
grateful and difficult of management, he contrives to
daeouree most eloquent mem.