The Express.
London, England, 1849-03-16 00:00:00

ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA.

The opening of this theatre last evening, excited
great interest and expectation, and the house, almost
immediately after the doors were opened, was crowded
in every part. The opera was hissaniello," an
Italian version of Auber's Moen' di Portici."
The original drama has been closely translated. and
the whole of the music given wi'hout mutilation or
change, if we excerpt an air for the part of Either,
substituted for the long and somewhat heavy duet at
the beginning of the third act. The translation, by
Signor Magrosi, is well executed and skilfully adapted
to the music. The whole piece was got up in
a style of magnificence and splendour surpassing any-
thing we have ever seen upon the stage; the scenic
sleets, the richness of the decorations, the life and
movement of the crowded and picturesque Rumps,
sad the gorgeous execution of tie choruses, exceedirg
even the pc,formance of the opera at the Academie
Royale de Musique. The orchestra, too, was at least
equal, if not superior, to that of the Parisian theatre.
The fine overture was played with surprising are
and energy, and encored with acclamations. The
character of Eivira was sustained by Madame Dons
Gras, who, an her entrance at the beginning of the
first act, was cordially welcomed by the audience.
Her performanceof the air Del mio cos verra
exerts," showed to the greatest advantage her clear,
flexible voice, and the exquisite refinement of her
execution. The expression of tranquil happiness
which this air conveys, was beautifully given. The
great feature, of the first act was the appesrence of
Mlle. Pauline Leroux in the character of the dumb
girl Familia. Her rushing on the stage pursued by
, die soldiers, flying for refuge to the feet of Elvira,
and resting in dumb show the tale of her wrongs,
seemed to fill the audience with astonishment, as
something of which they had farmed no previous
idea. There was no occasion for this inimitable
scene to utter a sound ; every look and gesture was a
phrase, more eloquent and pathetic than any language
could have been; and the =minim made upon tie
audience, in this scene, and the still more affecting
scene, in which Faulk shelters Elam and her her
from the Thry of the multitude, was evinced by
breathless Wows interrupted by bunts of rapMress
enplane. In the fine dramatic situation in which
Fenella, in the person sf Bivires husband, recognises
her betrayer, Mdlle. Leroux, in her picture of sur-
prise, indignation, grief, and despair, showed herself
a tragic actress of the highest order. The opening of
the &coed act, with the p:cturesque view of the sea-
shore, where the fishermen ere preparing their
nets, presented Mario, in the character of
Masaniello. He was greeted by a prolonged
burst of applause. His singing of the famous
baroarole "Pitt belle sores it porno," was full of
delicious freshness, and his rich voice blended beauti-
fully with the harmony of the chorus. The subee-
quent duet between him and Maisel, in the character
of Pietro, was given with great energy and effect.
Manors whole performance of the part was manly
and spirited, and his vocal execution well supported
his high reputation. The third act commenced with
the air already mentioned as being introduced for
Madame Dorus Gras, "Il ;kat* reaciuge." It is
composed by Burgasuller, and is not unsuitable
to the situation; but it was not sufficiently
dramatic, and had more the effect of a piece of highly-
finished concert-singing than of an expression of the
feelings of Elvira The whole character of Elvin,
indeed, is weak, and so deficient in dramatic elements
that no actress can render it effective or interesting.
The celebrated "market chorus" was got up with un-
paralleled effect. The stage, representing the market-
place of Naples, was covered with hundreds of people
—men, women, and children—fishermen, Islasznni,
and citizens —moving about in busy groups, buying
and selling, lounging, idling, and playing antics,
while they joined in singing one of the most animated
choruses ever conceived by the fancy of a musician.
In the midst of this scene of bustle and merriment

the insurrection breaks out, and the people, excited
by their linden, rush to attack their ruler.. The
beautiful choral prayer, " Nome del Ciel," hid an
effect of indescribable solemnity. Of the last act the
most striking feature was Mario's representation of
Masonielle'e insanity, a line piece of acting, rendered
very pathetic by the little fragments of melody, re-
miniscences of former days, warbled with apparent
=consciousness and the most exquisite sweetness.
The eruption of Vesuvius, which terminates the opera,
wee a wonderful piece of scenic though sore
what too much in the style of a Mnas spectacle.
After the opera, "God save the Queen" was sung
with ;
great effect by the principal singers and t 1
ohms.

AND CLERICAL

Oiroww liAsce 15.—1 a a etwerresellea holden tbh
weerao& Igs deem of Knottel Ma wet essebsoi ea Xs. T. 0.
laineate:se me= the alined him el illeedas Tit. IX,
Th. IL, GM Ili to le miettellei lir dete New le army was
veSPpaten to thirsi=alirel losesat.es am I
no hi si W the
"ho beteg la= ail It It odessbail that
moral of thaw ell le
Tit mew, •
kr no ilso•Chaweller lei melees to
mateateeweat et Zeds
• law lb
Tlee•Cbwwilsr OM =dhre
I= T. P. el Daft lir. IL
wider d iambs eerie. stb=ftetel ea lie TW. siseudie
an dieelese smimeisa. Trew! *Nenat
turtr
Lisossar Cesaala—Teitaiftalognallea et whims sea NOW
isms itnetele Odhwa, eitea ta rawer ee Se haverairpo.
*ma ..... wavers how IMO Caw send. lasi" to
aw spa -.11", owl XL i. ft
j=minieiiiimier et lialid. to
the .whelowne ws Dr. MOW% ; twi We IL now
wool. Wwesswoe et Ittle. old Tao:via= attirese of
DMA liable I allila Iwri
(WO, Cwwww...-Atr. W. X ion. Lb, eleint. esmarte.
ezi Thrsehs wile the
wet alwissis el net tsLotho Trak-
rens illn ; Isteelliso • lerV. se stilieseesete la
the emir onset ef Chu* /sr eassor, tho
Rim a (Ma" 11. D., Waist* ; aid Ow Terthirdw, nateholl. A,
Mien ad (ken wader, vill nosed to the ante al jiakir Mae.

'" I' NAVAL.
Atastiarra, KAMM M. Arrontrigams. Nab
a. T.X. masars.as WIWI.
&wad Make W. D. Ilnewa to Calsdaak.
Mary Aaldiai.-3. 2•11..5ND tO Patel.
Dirrtarrost, Kassa 14.-llyrds, K. Isaisr arrived this
ma paimpish via ispaymerados Wee Odalials.
mad lye la Da aftwassa walk item.
tie
11% 4:ll=rher Id*
Dal
la Oa is ,1101 1141 Sit eg mil.
an la lam at.prigindia te Minas hir mon,
1 myti,llo, wlll be pie IMPS On the lea ail soil ta the
ID/ V allieurers.
ascuccsonds, Fan 25.-11* Frogs lathed It,. ea
sin 21tb. mad Isa oaths glad Car Biarad. .