The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-01-13 00:00:00

THEATRES.

KING'S THEATRE.
A full meeting of the hand was convened last evening
in the orchestra, to give Signor Rossini an opportunity,
for the first time, to judge of their capabilities, as also of
the effect and tone of the different instruments, as applying
to the reverberation of the house. After the band had all
taken their seats, Signor Rossini was introduced by Signor
Benelli, the Stage Manager, first to Spagnoletti and after-
wards to the whole of the performers, who received him
with loud plaudits. We did not perceive any new faces
among the instrumental performers, with the exception of
Bianchi Taylor, whom we were happy to see transplanted
to a proper soil. Among the wind instruments we have to
lament the loss of the primp flunto Ireland, who is dead;
but where is ('harks Nicholson? Ile is the only one
that can supply his place. A new bassoon and oboe
made their first trial in this country. Of the first,
we should think him inferior to many of the English
school : the oboe has great execution, but a bad inhar-
moniou.: tone. The piece of music selected was Rossini's
Grand Overture to La G=4 Ladra ; and the skill dis-
played appeared to meet the composer's most sanguine ex-
pectations. This meeting gave us an opportunity of view-
ing the new splendid decorations of the interior of the
Theatre, which are now nearly complete, and do great cre-
dit to Signor Zarra, for their chasteness, brilliancy, and
clank taste. The lower circle is composed of a Grecian
frieze, connected with a running border, presenting alter-
nately a lyre and genii, raised in gold and devoted to
music ; the ornaments are on a pale green ground. The
second circle is divided into elliptic compartments, resting
lon pilasters, and spreading to the extent of the box ; the
divisions between are filled up by a gold beading of the fan
I shape ; in the compartments is the English crown, sup-
ported as a small scroll ornament, also raised. The third
I circle has a ground of the same colour, and a raised
ornament of a honeysuckle and scroll, also raised on bur-
nished gold. The upper circle bas a light pink ground, with
a honeysuckle ornament and wreath, in bas relief alter-
nately. The ceiling is beautiful, classical, and appro-
priate ; the large circle is divided into nine compartments;
in the centre of each is a finely painted figure of one of
the Muses; the end of every panel has a rich gold orna-
ment, and all the divisions are formed by burnished gold
mouldings. The proscenium is singularly neat and taste-
ful : a grand naval and military trophy, in the centre of
which is the King's arms, crowns the stage, very beauti-
fully executed in light and shadow has relief ; and a
long panel, with a rich ornament of the same descrip-
tion, finishes the under part of the proscenium, or
tympanum, over the orchestra. The whole of the
draperies round the house are new, and are of a be-
coming rose-colour, a tint that will highly gratify the fair
sex. We were specially favoured with a view of the
new drop curtain at present in the scene-room. It is of
a rich crimson colour, studded completely over with gold
stars and roses alternately, but not shadowed into dra-
peries: the border is the richest ornament we have yet
seen, full of variety, and eight feet deep, notched with
gold ; the top border alone is shadowed, and is of the same
splendid pattern. There will be a moving pilaster on each
side the proscenium, to advance as the curtain falls, with
a corresponding ornament. The centre chandelier is the
most splendid and costly ornament yet introduced at any of
our theatres : it is designed and executed by Mr. Lawton, of
King-street, Snow-hill, is 17 feet in depth and 36 in cir-
cumference, and altogether nourelle is appearance ; the
burners, are all concealed by transparent glass orna-
ments ; the top is surmounted with a coronet, and
feathers, formed in spangles of glass, and the second
circle of the same ; the bottom is perfectly fiat,
and forms a rich open star, ht.ng round with festoons of
brilliant drops. There are twenty-two smaller chandeliers
round the second and third circles, of an equally tasteful
design, and so constructed that the ventilation ;an never
be impeded. Upon the whole, we should think the house
will present a more brilliant appearance than has ever
before been witnessed.