The Express.
London, England, 1856-05-12 00:00:00

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LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, MAY 12. 1850.

MUSIC.

HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.
The reopening of this splendid theatre, so long the
great temple of the Italian Opera in England, after
five years of abandonment and idioms, wee an event
calculated to excite a lively interest in our world of
mosio—as event, moreover, which will hereafter hold
a preeminent place in the sepals of the art io this
*pantry. The history of oar musical stage, indeed,
for the Ind eight or nine years, has a resemblance to
that et a surreersadieg period somewhat above a
entsey spy whoa the establishment of an opera-
Um" rmseWen to " the ling's Theatre," led to
• preassietetvaley, which ended in the ruiner both.
541141011 *MIMS= of the schism and mese-

quest disastrous straggle, in both eases, the similarity
is remarkable : what may be the final issue of the
present contest, time has yet to show. Let ne hope
is this respect, the parallel will not bold good.
h the muse of her Majesty's Theatre was
last for the time, it was never abandoned. We have
seen, from the records of the law courts, that the
lessee has stresseesly sad sumessfully defended hie
rights against a series of attacks 1 and it now appears
' that the theatre itself has been constantly kept in a
enadition fit for see. It turns oat that the tales
Nish have been current about desertion and neglect
—about rotten timbers, inundations of water, and
Mem of rats—had mot a vestige of truth. When
the eager public rushed into the house on Saturday
ming, and began to gap around them, the old
Swaim spot looked as if they had seen it a week be-
fore, Everything was the same—Dot only the beau-
tifalhres and symmetry of the banding, but the rich
desseatioas, the painting and gilding, the magnifi-
mist &Weller, the well-remembered amber-coloured
tandems of the boxes, the fine classic group of
dumb" nymphs on the drop curtain--everything
was se hash, bright, and delightful to the eye as ever.
And all this was the work net of restoration but of
presureadsa—the fast being, that the whole interior
of the theatre, with all its scenery and properties,
was as carefully kept in order as if it were in use
from day to day.
Though Whitsun•eve, when so many people have
left town for the holidays, is not very favourable for
the amemblag•e of a fsehioaable audience, yet the
house was full in every part. Not a box or stall was
unoccupied, and the pit and gallery were filled to
overflowing. The coup-d'ail was se guy and brilliant
as we have ever seen it. _

The opera was la Gam/do/a, one of Rossini 's
early works, and one of his beat—written at that
youthful period when he gave vent to that gay
and comic spirit with which be wee gifted
by nature, and which made him the true
successor of Cimaross. The interesting heroine,
too, of the pretty nursery We is 0110 of Alboni's
best characters, aid she could not have does
better than choose it for her first appearanos. When
the curtain roes, and discovered her, in mean attire,
sitting in her chimney corner, a shout of welcome
burst from the whole house, and brought her to the
front of the stage. She looked u she used to do—
not thinner certainly—but as comely and pleasant as
ever, and with that open, good-humoured face which
:ashes her so engaging. The opening duet of the
sisters began, sang very nicely; and when Ciaderelia's
voice was heard, carelessly woods, bar 'angry bal-
lad, " Una volts c'era as Re," the house was hushed
is breathless silence. It is impossible to imagine
the effect of this simple little tune, so unitise-
sounding and so melancholy, uttered in those
soft, low, thrilling contralto tones which belong
only to Alboni. The salads ceased, and were
followed by a storm of applause. She played the
whole part with that quiet, woollies simplicity which
has always gives her parferaisnee of it so irresistible
a charm; while her exquisite execution of the highly
ornate pasuges with which the music is filled op-
psared as simple and niters' ea her midair. Nobody
can forgot the pretty scene in which Cinderella,
hamming her favourite n tans, suddenly finds
herself face to face with the young prince,
and in her agitation drops the tray she is carrying;
her fright when he speaks to her; and the breathless
hurry with which, gaining confidence, she bogies to
per her little tale of sorrow into his ears : nothing can
be sweeter or more affecting. As to her vocal execs-
don, we cannot attempt to describe it. It is a gram-
matical solecism, sad yet we cannot help saying that
if she was perfect before, she is more perfect now.
Her lovely voice, while it has all its former depth and
richness, hie gained additional flexibility and light-
ness in the higher notes; her cuostiaa has the clear,
round articulation of the finest instrament, united to
that living charm of the human voice which no in-
strument can emulate, and the effect of the whole is
rendered Inexpressibly delicious by its easy flow and
the total absence of anything like effort. In short,
Alboni is all that she ever was, and nilre.

Ca'solar!, who sem years ago did much to sus-
tale the declining Mims@ of this theatre, has mime
then rims Mom le his art, ands now one of the
nest essempilekel tenors on the stage. His appear-
saes ea Ileterley might wee • triumph. The beautiful
L dust, sille we sea so obi,* in the scene already
mentioned betwsea the Prime sad Cinderella, was
on both side* the very perfeetios of singing. In die
second act he introduced an air not beloeging to the
open, a brilliant pima in the modern taste of the
day, which he sang superbly, and with immense
applause ; but we should have been better pleased
had he adhered to Rossini's text. In these intrados-
tioes there is always an incongruity of style which is
not agreeable. But Calsoleres whole manner of
sustaining his part wee of the highest order. Bel-
ida, who was to have been the Dandle', was pre-
vented
by sadden illness from appearing. This was
an unlucky contretemps, because there lien be no
better Dasdini than Belletti. But the disappoint-
ment was lees than might have been expected, for
Signor Beneventano, in this emergency, consented to
undertake the part, literally (es we were informed)
at three hours' notice, and performed it without any
rehearsal. This conduct, even bad Beneventano
been lase 81101:411111(01 than be was, merited the highest
approbation; for this gentleman, who was an entire
rainier in this country, and had the right to make
his d&it in the manner most advantageous to him-
self, had the good and generous feeling to forego
this right, and consented to risk his reputation
in order to aid the management at a moment
of difficulty. In person—being large andthi
he sz.
was not well fitted for the bustling impudent
valet; bat he showed himself well engem with
the part, acted it wish spirit and intelligence, and
sang the music admirably, having a fine and power-
ful baritone voice, and evidently a sound knowledge
of his art. His merits were recognised, and he will
not have reason to regret his praiseworthy conduct.
Signor Zemin, who performed Don Magnifloo, is
another stranger to Engles,. Accustomed as we
have been to the gigantic segos of Lablache in this
part, Zuccont'e voice caused mest by its
comparative want of power; Eis la
i
het r evidently has
comic talent, and represented the pompons old ass
with considerable humour. The parts of the two
sisters, Clotilde and Thisbe, woe sustained, much
better than they usually are, by Mdlle. Berti and
Mdlle. Rizzi, who looked and cuing very nicely, and
acted with propriety and spirit.
The ercheetra—a meet _ impeder* feature of an
opera-house—is smallest. beth individually and col-
lectively. Of this we wee elaviesed before the over
tare was finished, and our satielledisa was heightened
by observing the spirit, eleattsseoad delicacy with
wile the veins wore aosempaeisli during the whole
Signet lemetti, the mew emedestor, is eel.
an wodayedsesid nes, thesseably wow
'meet with his bedew. Tbe strawy damp
appointments were w looted sad brawn at they
used to be, sad the ern wet iff wed *Needy.
There we a might is theta.. send by
the daze Wee bop welds, oileri wee
denim( him dm; bet the wawa took it with

Engli,h good humour, and a few biases cm the actor'.
appearance were drowned in a storm of applause.
The opera was followed by a pretty ballet-diver.
tiesement called Lea Quatro Sams. It served to
introduce four dassruno—Mdllss. Boesbetti,
Lisereux, and Madame Albeit Bellon---each of whom
promoted in ballet fashion (that is, not very intel-
ligibly) a season. They all showed themselves to be
charming dans:err, and were warmly applauded;
especially Mdlle. Boechetii, who promisee to be a
star of great brilliancy. There was also XVondris,
who was as bold and rootiessfol in his pirouettes as
any male dancer that we have men.