The Express.
London, England, 1849-02-27 00:00:00

"NOG_

ST. JAMES'S TR....EAT RE. OPERA COMIQUE.
" Richard Cam de Lion," the chef d'auvre of Gritty, the
most prolific and popular of compost re for the French comic
opera stage, was produced at this theatre Lut evening. The
incidents are carried on in illy lively dialogue, and the lyrical
portion is excellently adapted to musical purposes. The music
is charming. Its only defect to a modern ear, the thin-
ness of the instrumental accompaniments, producing
what may be called a coldness of orcheAral colouring,
has been completely removed by the admirable rr..nner
which the score has been filled up by Adolphe Adam, who,
without is the least interfering with Gretry's original de-
signs, has done what Oritry wend have done himself had
he possessed the resources of modern instrumentation. The
masse is warmed and enriched, without losing a jot of that
delightful melody, simplicity, and freshness, which charms-
tern, all OrEiry's work,. We never before bland French
music in which the words were so easily, naturally, and
distinctly articulated with their true emphasis and
accent, so that every phrase was intelligible, not
only in the airs, but in the concerted pieces
and choruses. The noble air, "O Richard, 0 mon
rot, l'univers t'abandanne" (en air which has ao-
pared a historical celebrity from the effect it produced in a
memorable NOBO of the first French revolution) was sung
with great energy by Coadere, whole whale per& ratans, of
Blonde: was admirable. Bontiamy, who was the King
Richard, bad not sufficient vocal power for the great air
which opens the second act; but he sustained his part very
well in the duet with the king on which the plot turns. The
melody of this duet, which is in the old Provennal style, and
of the mast extreme simplicity, recurs many times in the
course of the opera, in different forms, and always with
rentarkablo effect. The music belonging to the part of Laurette
is more pleasing than striking: but it was deliciously sung by
)(dile. Chardon. There was a little duet, in particular, be-
tween Blonde' and Laurette, in which she repeats after him,
note by note, the melody of a song he is teaching her, that
made en extraordinary impression. Andthe ballad, " Qui le
Balton Behan," sung by Blonde! to the group of rustic ca-
rousers, was equally effective. Millie. Ouicnard, in the pretty
pest of the country lad Antonio, acted and sang delightfully.
The whole performance, indeed, was excellent, bating a little
unsteadiness in some of the character,. The last act under-
went seas curtailment, which rendered the conclusion inco-
herent and abrupt.
" Richard Cceur de Lion " was followed by Auber's ope-
retta " Concert a la Cour," a pleasing little piece, possessing
much of the composer's characteristic animation and bril-
liaeq. The subject is the somewhat hackneyed one, of a
young eantattice, who, seeking to obtain an engagement at a
Gamin mut, is thwarted by the intrigues of a wily Italian,
the musical director, end his wife, • rival singer; but the
heroine of course, by the force of her talent, triumphs over
the devian of her enemies. The only marked character of
the piece is Adele, the heroine, personated by Mlle. Charton,
who sang the music, which is ehiefiy of the bravura kind,
with great finish and brilliancy. The theatre was fully
and fashionably attended.

CLERICAL.
Pazrznmairre.—Rev. T. G. Stork', to be chaplain to the
Duke of Beaufort.—Row. C. Hume, to et. M aul, Wood•atreet,
London ; 2001.; pet, Lord Chat oeller.

NAVAL

ADMIRALTY, Flll. 26.—Arrommann.—Lieut. Q.
Cues (additional) to Welleslry.—Mr. J. S. MATS,' placed on the re•
som tired het of masters.--Clerk's Amiatant 0. W. Barressuteu., to
a°.
The Admiralty have at length fixed the number of the
adeantel steam-dilps, or squadron of reserve, which is to consist of
the following rmsek_:—Portamouth : Dauntless, Termannt (screw),
Encounter (slew),Betributkm, Phosti: (screw), Spplpyna, Beate.
Devestatioa, Birkenhead, Urgent—Devcaport : Orowler,
Jaekall, Battler (mew), Virago, Spiteful, Conflict (screw), Basilisk;
Niger (screw), Hada. Anthem stammers are in seagotrig order, their
koters aad eagiass in repair, their gonaarriages, ken on board, and
ache got ready for as in a few boors.
Dirvoiroar' Fan. 24.—Caltdonia, 120, Capt. T. W.
Carter, has been enteral tesomplete her complement for service in
the Maditernitasn. _ _

Vloot.wtcm, Fan. 118.—Adder and Otter, et..v., ordered
round to this port, together with the Zephyr and Myrmidoe, teeming
four thole' cc eight unservioeable stemmas wh It la the inten-
tion of the Admiralty to divot) of. An offer was made for the whole
bat week by a gentleman connected with some railway company but
the offer has, we understand, sloes .been abandoned, and the boots
are still in the market.'

buzzartass, 111111. 24.—The st,sloop Meteor has this day
bets nudocked, and will be tined immediately as an admire steamer
for the Plymouth station squadron.—North Star has this day been
taken into dock. Sixty extra shipwrights hare already been
entered bete to work upon ber.—The enbooner Lark, hued for •
present to the President of Liberia, is nearly ready for sailing.—lt
reported that one of the mestere at this port will take charge of the
Lark tram hone to her pert of destination.
The Driver is ordered to sail on Ist of March for the Pacific.
The Jonas is also to sail on the let of March. Htr ttetttna.
Goo is Gibraltar.