The Express.
London, England, 1858-04-01 00:00:00

LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, APRIL 1, 1858.

HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

This great lyric theatre will be re-opened for the
regular season shortly after Easter. During the recess, Mr.
Lumley (we need scarcely inform those acquainted with his
energy and enterprising spirit) has not born Idle. He has
visited every part of the Continent in search of attractive
novelties, and secured the services of several artists who, if
report speak truly, will prove most valuable additions to a
company already rich in talent of the highest order. These
continental celarities, new to the London public, are—
Madlle. Lucien', contralto; Madame Ghioni, prima donna
comprimaria ; Signor Mattioli, high baritone ; Medd°.
Anetta Orsini, prima ballerina, from La Fenice, at Venice ;
K. Caron and M. Durand, dancers from the Parisian
Acedemie Impirial ; and Madill. Theresa Titiens, prin-
cipal soprano of the Imperial Opera, Vienna.
Of the but•named arlate we have heard the
most favourable accounts. Rumour deecrlbea her u a
singer and actress, of the highest order, possess-
ing a genuine soprano voice of extraordinary power
and compass, snd remarkable persons' attractions.
Her repertoire is unusually extensive, for she has
appeared in Germany with the greatest mecum
in no less than seventeen opera, belonging to widely differ-
ent schools. The engagement of this lady may, it is presumed,
lead to the production of some very tine operas which have
been long neglected, or are totally new to our stage. May
we hope fur the long-promised Iphigenia of Gluck at last?
la say came we are sure that the new prima dorrea will be
introduced to the London public in one of her very best parts,
aemely, Valuable in Lae litignenbts, which has been for
soma months in preparation at Her Midway's Theatre—and,
with new scenery. dresses, and decorations, a powerful cast
of the principal characters, band and chorus improved and
augmented, will be one of the earliest novelties of the ap-
proaching season. Of the new contralto, Madlie. Lucioni,
we have beard that she posses a tine fresh voice, and acts ex-
tremely well, while report nye as much for Signor Mattioli,
with this addition, that his florid execution is particularly
. . .

Of them established favourites. Madlle. Picoolornini,
Madilo Spezia, Marine Ortolani ; Signor Giuglinf, Signor
Belled, :signor Beneventano, Signor Belart, Signor Via-
itati ; and Madame Alberti, all of whom will reappear in the
ammo of the 811•11012, we need my but little. Signor °Meal '
Is to permeate oa the opening night, for the first time in
Ragland, a character which he has already sustained with
the greatest success to Milan and other Italian citias—nesely,
Roar da Mantis. is Les lisiguetits, and to which be is
certainly capable of doing ample justice. Madlle. Ortolani—
wham admirable delineation of Donna Elvira, in bee
Gieratesi, is cloud's@ fresh is the recollection of all opera-
geare—will perform, for the first time on any stage, the
put of the Queen of Navarre. The entire cut of the
principal cbarmters in Meyerbers famoua opera will, in
short, t• most probably as follows:—Valentina, Madlle.
'Mina; the Queen, Madlle. Ortolani ; the Page, Madlle.
Lai ini; Raoul de Nana, Signor Oiagliaf ; Marcel, Si or
V 'sloth ; Nevers, Signor Aldeghieri ; and Count St. Eris,
Signor Belletti.
Another highly interesting novelty will be the first ap-
pearance of that universal favourite, Mae. Piccolomini, as
the heroine of Verdi's Lean Miller, the libretto of which is
bounded upon Sebiller's celebrated drama, )(abet se d Liebe.
The work Is quite sew to this country, and the principal
character, if it but faithfully resemble the charming COP-
caption of the great German dramatist, must be perfectly
well adapted to the genies of Mlle. Piccolomini. Balfe's
BeheusiesChri NIP to be repeated. Of Male. Spezia we
only bees that she is to appear in her favour:le parts."
Mis ballet department will be unusually sttractive, for no
leas than fir Ord-rate droure—Mdlle, Poochini. Mdlle
Marie Taglioni, Mdl4 Orsini, Mdlie. Emeriti, and Madams
Rosati, besides those leaser but still very brilliant errs,
Mesdames Rolla, Pasquale, and Morlacchi—are already
engaged. Signor Berri will 11•110 e• the directorship of
the orchestra immediately after the termination of his pre-
sent engagement at the Italian Opera of Paris, cad in the
meantime his importer peat is to be filled by Signer AMC
The band and chortle, es we have already stated, is to be
augmented and Improved, and asougut the valuable wage-

I mate amity effected for the former we may remake those
of M. Levhpes, the celebrated oho; phtyer, M. &Imam
the
endN.
Damen
end trum, the
pet. almost equally renowned palmitin an
viola
The made **masa will again be under the diuretics of
Mr. Marshall, and Madame Copan will, es is /mum yam,
superintend the cestonme.—/irm.