The Express.
London, England, 1855-08-23 00:00:00

VISIT TO THE GRAND OPERA.

(mom otrz OWN

PARIS, MONDAT MIDNIGHT.
The Queen this evening went to the Opera in
state. The front of the theatre in the Rue Lepelle-
tier was on this occasion not only illuminated as it
usually is when the Emperor pays a public visit
there, but was also decorated with those intertwined
national flags which are the favourite symbols of
the present rejoicings. At nightfall carriage' were
not permitted to circulate on that part of the Boule-
vard near the Opera which extends from the Rue
Lafitte to the Rue Richelieu. All this quarter was
in a dazzling glow of light as the hour for the Queen's
approach drew nigh. Indeed, from the Madeleine to
the Rue Lepelletier almost every house on the Bou-
levard was illuminated. But Immediately opposite
that street in which the Opera-house is situate, there
was suspended from the centre of the triumphal
arch, which remains just as it was on the day of
the Queen's entry into Paris, a lustre of gigantic, pro-
portions, which, assisted by the blaze of gu with
which the loyal tailor, M. Dusautoy, who inhabits
the corner house of the Rue Lepelletier, never fails to
greet the Emperor when he comes to the Opera,
lighted up the whole neighbourhood a giorno. It is
needless to say that there was an immense crowd.
The entrance to the theatre was ornamented with
hothouse plants and flowers, which were indeed
placed on the steps and in the vestibule in such pro-
fusion that it was difficult for the visitors to make
their way through them. I saw one lady have a
very awkward fall among the flower-pots, and,
although she got up unhurt, her rich toilette was con-
siderably damaged by the mould.
The Royal and Imperial party, which was expected
at eight o'clock, did not arrive till nearly half-past.
They came in six close carriages and four, escorted by
Cuirassiers of the Guard. In an open carriage fol-
lowing were two English officers in uniform and two
French generals, one of whom was General Canto-
bert, who was recognised and cheered by name as he
passed Dusautoy'. shop. The Queen, the Emperor,
Prince Albert, and the Empress (who felt well
enough to come out on this occasion) were in the
same carriage. The state box was formed of three
large boxes thrown into one in the centre of the first
circle. It was richly decorated with gold and velvet
hangings, and covered by a canopy surmounted by a
golden ermined eagle and flanked by the arms of
France and England. A handsome drawing-room,
containing furniture brought from the Imperial garde-
mesibk, was improvised behind the Mate box. The
foyer (saloon) was not thrown open to the public, but
reserved for the officers of the guards and the
suite of their Majesties. When the Queen entered
the state box, leaning on the Emperor's
arm, the whole house rose and gave them
a hearty cheer, which her Majesty several times
acknowledged with that infinite grace which every-
body in this country remarks. The Emperor, as if
wishing it to be understood that the cheers belonged
to his illustrious guest, did not bow to the audience
himself, or, if he did, it was in the slightest possible
manner. Their Majesties were followed by Prince
Albert and the Empress, Prince Napoleon, and the
Princesse Mathilde.
The Queen and the Empress took their seats side
by side in the centre of the box. The Emperor sat
on the Queen's right hand, and next to him was the
Prince Napoleon. Prince Albert was next to the
Empress on her left hand; and on his left was the
Prinoesse Mathilde. _ _ _

The Queen was dressed in white, with the purple
riband of the Order of the Garter. Her cajun was
a rich but not conspicuous tiara of diamonds, which
bounded her hair, dressed with elegant simplicity.
The Empress wore a white dress, with blue trimmings.
On her head was a magnificent tiara of diamonds,
much larger than that of the Queen. She had long
pendant earrings and a topaz necklace. The Prinoesoe
Mathilde was also dressed in white, with diamonds in
her hair. The Emperor and the Prince Napoleon ap-
peared in the uniforms of Generals of Division. Prince
Albert wore &scarlet tunic, without epaulettes, which,
singularly enough, was scarcely distinguishable at a
distance from the uniform of Count Baciceehi, the
Emperor's chamberlain. On the entrance of their
Majesties the orchestra played a few bars of "God
save the Queen," and then the curtain rose. Before
saying a word of the performance I must notice the
appearance of the house. It was quite full in every
part. In the boxes there was a very large propor-
tion of ladies. The entire front rows of the first and
second tiers were occupied by ladies, all in full
evening dress. The stalks d'orchestro and the other
stalls which occupy the main part of what in former

times was called the pit, were filled with gentlemen
in ball costume. I did not notice a single exception
to the uniform black coat, white vainest, and black
cravat. The back part of the pit (called the alike
damphitheatre) at the toot of the state box contained
three or four rows of ladies and gentlemen. The
regulations stated that functionaries were to come is
uniform ; but this rule was not followed.
The only person present in an embroidered
coat in the body of the house was
Thayer, the senator, formerly postmaster, who
sat in the states d'amphitheatre exactly under
the centre of their Majeattes' box, and looked as if
he were some great officer of state placed in the
" chair" to preside over the ceremonies. There were
no special decorations on the house or on the
but on either side of the foot lights there was as
immense cent-garde (an officer) standing nutty.
Fancy the effect of a tremendous fellow of aix fed
four in a blue tunic cuirass, white leather breeches,jack boots, white gauntlets, helmet and plume, stand.
ing bolt upright with his back 'option the stage box
as immovable as a statue or a recruit at corporal's
drill, with a carbine grounded by his side, on the
muzzle of which was fastened, bayonet fi:shio.4
spear so long that the point reached six or eight
inches higher than the head of the bearer. Tie
other officers armed at all points in like manner stood
on either aide of the state box. These officers acted
their parts admirably. Not one of them was seen to
move a muscle of his countenance the whole evening.
But as the immovable position was very falleuinn
they were obliged to be frequently relievsa.
was very funny to see one of these giants after doing
his utmost for half-an-hour to appear inanimate glide
off the stage, while another of like form and stature
slipped into his place as rapidly as a clown or harle-
quin gets back to his place after having "shuffled off
a coil "in the side scene. The ladies and gentlemen
of the two courts remained standing behind the
Royal and Imperial party during the entire perform.
ance. The musical bill of fare was not long. Some
people, indeed, thought it meagre. A trio from
" William Tell ;" a duet from the "Reine de Ch pre,"
exquisitely performed by M. Roger (the celebrated
tenor) and M. Bonnehee ; some variations of Ham-
mel, sung by Mdlle. Alboni so delightfully as to make
one regret that they were not longer ; a short bolero
from the "Nrepres Siciliennes," by Mdlle. Cruvellii
and " God save the Queen" at the end of the even-
ing, constituted all the vocal entertainments given to
her Majesty at the Grand Opera. The pnncipal
performance was the ballet, which, but that the
stage was not the centre of attraction to the
audience on this occasion, would have been thought
by many too long. It was, however, an admirable
specimen of what the French artistes can do in their
own unrivalled line. Her Majesty seemed much
amused with the unfolding of the complicated plot,
I and appeared to follow the story with as much in-
terest as if it were a spoken play instead of but
dumb show. I must notice here that throughout the
, singing there was no applause, it being contrary to
etiquette to give signs of approbation or diaspprobs-
doe in the presence of royalty. But at one moment
, while Madlle. Rosati was dancing, a series of piton-
ettes very nearly " brought down the house." But
the round of applause suddenly broke off in the
middle, in obedience to a cry of "hush, hush."
which brought to the recollection of the audience
what they had but for a moment forgotten—that
they were attending a court ceremonial. Her Ma-
jesty looked remarkably well, and in excellent spirits.
She talked a great deal to the Emperor in the course
of the evening. Her unaffected good humour, and
theesse, simplicity, and dignity of her manners charmed
all beholders. There is an indescribable fascination
in her smile which sheds gladness around her. The
geniality of her nature was visibly reflected in the
usually impassible features of the Emperor. When
he spoke to her his eyes sparkled with unwonted
brilliancy. and a smile curled about his lip. In that
countenance, so difficult to read, one might plainly
see, mixed with an unfeigned deference and respect
for his illustrious guest, a sentiment of intense self-
satisfaction at having gained a great political point at
which he had long been aiming—the presence of the
Queen of England in the capital of France. The
Empress, I regret to say, looked very delicate. She
spoke but little either to the Queen or Prince Albert,
said seemed to suffer from fatigue. After the ballet
"God Save the Queen" was sung by the whole
strength of the company, Mdlle. Queen taking the
leading part, and singing the words plainly
said distinctly in excellent English. When the
royal and imperial party and the whole au-
dience stood up to hear our national anthem,
the coup-d'ced was magnificent in the extreme.
When the anthem was finished the entire audience
turned round towards the Queen, and saluted her
with the most unanimous and heartiest about that I
ever heard within the walls of any theatre. Her
Majesty curtsied repeatedly almost to the ground, is
acknowledgment, and then, taking the Emperor's
atm, was going away, when the audience, anxious
to see her a little longer, raised a cry of " Bis, bis,"
meaning to ask that "God save the Queen" might
be sung again. There was a momentary hesitation
in the State box. A gesture of the Emperor's
seemed to
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were
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an end to the difficulty by coming forward to the
front of the box and giving the signal for the desired
encore. At the conclusion, amidst long protracted
and hearty cheers, her Majesty took what I will call
an affectionate farewell of the public, which had given
her so admirable a reception. It was half-past eleven
when the Royal and Imperial party quitted the
theatre, amidst the plaudits of the assembled multi-
tude outside. By midnight they were safely housed
in St. Cloud.