The Express.
London, England, 1849-05-23 00:00:00

MUSIC.

ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA.
"La Sonrambula" wee given last night at this
theatre, with Mad +me Persiani in the character of
Amino, and Mr. Sims Reeves in that of Eleino.
Madame Persiani's Performance was calculated to in-
crease the regret of the public that they are so gam
to lose this charming actress and singer; though she
is certainly acting wisely in retiring from the stir
before her powers have undergone any materiel
deterioration. Last evening she occasionally be-
trayed a want of that certainty of intonation
fur which sbe was so distinguished, and some-
times strained her voice in producing high
notes which formerly cost her no exertion. But
these defects were chiefly perceptible in the early part
of the evening, and almost disappeired as she warmed
in the course of the performance. In the highest at-
tributes of a singer she was as great as er. r, and
showed that she has no superior in the qualities of a
consummate artist. In one important particular she
hes no equal, except, perhaps, Madame Viardot Garcia
—the perfection to which she has carried the art of
vocal embellishment ; an art which demands net
only great richness of fancy and the utmost
refinement of taste, but a depth and accu-
racy of musical knowledge which few, even of
the most accomplished singers, are able to attain.
Madame Persianesfitoriture are not only incompara-
bly brilliant, and of inexhaustible variety, but they
are in the most exquieite keeping, not only with the
technical structure of the melody with which they are
interwoven, but also with its character and expres-
sioe. By means of a simple but original turn as
deepens the melancholy of a plaintive air; and a
rapid flight or roulade gives new force and intensity
to joyful or passionate expression. This beautiful
faculty was never more strikingly exhibited,
nor with greater effect, than last night, in the
strain of hopeless despondency unconsciously breathed
by the sleeping girl, and in her rapturous
accents when, waking, she finds herself restored to
love and happiness. These fine passages were re-
ceived by the audience with the most vehement marks
of enthusiasm ; and this delightful vocalist perhaps
never enjoyed a treater triumph. Her delineation of
the character, though not highly coloured, was (what
it has always been), simple, intelligent, and affecting,
Oar countryman, Mr. Reeves, also obtained a
triumph, by which he has gained a place second to
no one upon our Italian stage. The warmth with
which he was welcomed by a crowded audience
seemed at first to increase hie natural agi-
tation, and to affect his voice, but he
soon regained his self-pot/lesion.
The whole opera was admirably performed. Tam-
burini was the Count Rodolfo, and Mdlle. Corbari
was the best Liao we have ever seen.

REPRESENTATION OF SOUTH WARWICKSw..._
A correspondent, writing under date " Birminghens Tues-
day," mays: " Lord Guernsey, the eldest SW of Ur Earl of
Aylesford, is at present the only candidate In the field kr
the vacant seat caused by Mr. Shirley's 110111011111110 of the
Chiltern Hundreds. Lwd Leigh's son tee hen biked of in
the liberal interest, but the hon. gendemaa's Oldie are of
BO very indefinite a character, that hem not enecerod in
rallying round him the support of the nient Ebersh in
the division, and without their aid he wont shed bat very
little chance of If =Cll., notwithstanding the Imams In-
fluence which his father could throw into the seals. The
probability, therefore, is that there will be no opposition
offered."
ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF ENGLAND.—
Yesterday the half yearly general assembly of the governors
and menhirs of this society was held at their rooms, 12,
Han square. The Earl of Chichester was in the chair,
supported by the Earl of Yarborough, Earl Thiele, the Mar-
quis of Downahire, and several other noblemen and gentle-
men. Mr. Hudsoo, the secretary, then read the report of
the council. It stated that the society now comprised 89
life governors, 178 annual governors, 582 life members, 4,643
anneal members, and 20 honorary members. The council
had agreed to a recommendation of the clinical committee,
that in future the privilege of obtaining analyses of manures,
sgricultural products and soils at reduced rates, be made a
privilege of all members of the society. It had been de-
cided that the ensuing country meeting of the society, at the
city of Norwich, should be held in the week commencing
Monday, 16th July. The council had received from the prin-
cipal railway companies in the kingdom a grant of the same
liberal concessions in favour of the society's exhibition as
was Rade by last year, namely, the
the
conveyance of
live stook, ands Manion of one half the usual rates of
charge for implements on proceeding to the show. They
had the satisfaction of receiving frees their journal com-
mittee the most favourable report of the number and value
of the meals competing for the society's prises of the }repent
year.—Col. Challoaer then read the report of the besace
committee. The total income of the society from all
sources was set dome at 6,8311., and the expenditure of the
year at a sun ler by 593 i. The secretary dated that it was
their intention to enforce the payment of subscriptions hose
members in arras. Both reports were unanimously adopted,
sea the meths eepezeted.