The Express.
London, England, 1866-05-21 00:00:00

HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

Mdlle. Dina de Monks, whose first appearance
this season was to have taken place on Saturday week, but
was prevented by indisposition, appeared on Thursday
last in Lucia di Lawmalnoor, and on Saturday in 14 Son-

nambida. On both nights the theatre was crowded to the
doors, and the audience were enthusiastic in their demon-
strations of admiration and pleasure. It will be remem-
bered that Mdlle. de Muraka came to us last year an
entire stranger, when she appeared for the first
time in the character of Lucia, and may literally
be said to have taken the town by storm. She became at
once—with the sole exception of Titiens, the queen of the
modern lyric stage—the great favourite of the public at
this theatre ; and now at the beginning of a second season
promises to be a greater favourite than ever. She has
done well to appear in the characters of Lucia and Amin'',
because both of them are peculiarly calculated to display
the marvellous extent of her vocal powers, as well as her
charms as an accomplished and captivating actress.
Signor Mongini, in the character of Elvino as well as in
that of Edgardo, maintained his reputation as one of the
greatest tenors of the day. He has the genius of a trage-
dian, and is, we think, on the whole the best representative
of the hero of Walter Scott's pathetic tale now on the stage.
For the character of Elvino he is not so well fitted, simply
because he cannot assume the aspect of the peasant youth.
He is too Lig and too heavy for the part, which certainly
would have been better in the hands of Gardoni. In the
small, but very pleasant part of Count Rodolfo, Santley
was excellent, and his singing of the fine air, " Vi ravviso,"
we need scarcely say, was perfect

Mr. JOHN THOMAS'S CONCERT. —Mr. Thomas's
Matilde Maairale on Saturday, at his residence in Wel-
beck-street, drew a crowded and fashionable assemblage,
of whom the major part were ladies. Mr. Thomas's per-
formances on his own instrument, the harp, were varied,
and iss need scarcely say) masterly. The most remarkable
pieces were Gounod's " Meditation on Dach's first pre-
lude," played by Mr. Thomas on the harp, Signor Pezze
on the violoncello, and Herr Ganz on the harmonium ; a
harp solo, consisting of an introduction and rondo, com-
posed and performed by Mr. Thomas ; a grand duet for
two harps, played by Mr. Thomas and his
pupil, Mrs. Henry Davies ; the war song, " Obedient
to my country's will," from Mr. Thomas's cantata, Ltercel-
rya, sung by Mr. Roaaer ; Rossini's air from OteUo,
" Assisa al pie d'un wake," sung by Mdlle. Angele, with
harp accompaniment ; a pianoforte fantasia of Chopin,
performed by Miss Louisa Stone ; Swedish national airs,
sung by Mdlle. Ennequist ; and several of the finest Welch
melodies, played by Mr. Thomas. All these pieces were
warmly applauded; and the entertainment must have been
especially pleasing to the lovers of the elegant instrument
of which Mr. Thomas is so distinguished a professor.
LONDON SATURDAY CONCERTS. —Mr. Howard
Glover has announced a series of concerts to be given under
his direction at St. Martin's-hall. Their object is to give
the public high-class concerts at low prices ; an object
likely to be accomplished ; for the programme of the first
on Saturday evening, presented an ample selection of ex.
cellent music, sting and played by favourite vocal and
instrumental performers, while the price of admission is
only one shilling. The second concert takes place on Sa-
turday next.