The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-07-05 00:00:00

ENGLISH OPERA-HOUSE.

This favourite summer Theatre opened on Saturday
evening, under the most flattering auspices, which may
well make " the little Theatre in the Haymarket" appre-
hensive of a successful rivalry this season. Mr. Mathews 's
performance had been so deservedly popular as to engage
the Theatre until a night or two before the regular com-
mencement of the season. There was not, therefore, any
time, nor indeed was there any need, for fresh painting,
and the customary preparations previous to the opening of
the house ; it is, in point of decoration, &c. precisely as it
was last year. But whilst the external appearance of this
little temple of the Muses remains the same, there has been
a great improvement in the number and in the merit
of the several votaries who bring to it this season
the contribution of their respective and varied talents.
Before the performance commenced the whole of the
performers came forward and sang "God save the King."
Amongst them we observed, besides those who afterwards
appeared in the piece, Miss Povev, Mr. Pearman, and
other distinguished perfotwers ; Mr. Brahant,als Mr. Phil-
lips, and Mr. Brburst, also appear in the list of the
male singers ; and Miss Stephens, with that incomparable
comic actress, Miss Kelly, are fully capable of sustaining
the reputation of female talent in every department of acting
and ringing, that the range of performances at this
house will permit. With the names of these ladies, so
deservedly high, it gives its pleasure to be able to associate
that of Miss Harvey, a young lady who made her first appear-
ance on a London stage in the very trying character of Rosin°.
It was a dchut, both as to performance and still inure as to
promise, singularly successful. To an expressive counte-
nance and agreeabe person, Miss Harvey unites a pleasing
and harmonious speaking voice, indeed occasionally some-
what too closely bordering on the verge of that prolonged
hanunny which is considered a characteristic of the coun-
try (Ireland) from winch she come. This disadvantage,
however, if it be a disadvantage, is one inertly temporary
and accidental, and one that a residence in this country
will easily correct and overcome. These, together with a
lady-like deportment and a natural and graceful flow of
action, constitute no ordinary qualifications for the stage
as an actress. Her qualities as a singer are of a still higher
order. She possesse s a voice of extraordinary compass and
extent. Her execution of the most rapid ineolutions is ad-
mirably accurate, and bespeaks a sedulous cultivation of
her voice. It moreover pessesses a clear, firm, and silvery
tone in the higher as well as the lower notes, which en-
titles it not only to the character of great power but of
great sweetness also. With continued cultivation and a
short experience of the practical part of theatricals (in
which she is apparently a novice) she may be confident
not of certain success but of grist eminence in her pro-
fession. She was warmly applauded throughout. In
"Tyrant Sway," and " The Singing Lesson," a duet,
between her and Mr. Phillips were loudly encored. Mt.
Phillips after an absence of eleven years, appeared as Coon/
:dowries. Ile came with all the partialities of " auld
acquaintance" enlisted in his favour, and his improved
taste in that interval, and unimpaired powers set voice
justified the very marked and flattering reception he met
with. The subordinate characters of the opera were well
sustained. On the falling of the curtain there were three
distinct rounds of applause, on which Mr. Bartley came for-
ward and announced that in cot:sequence of the distinguished
approbation with which the opera was received, it would be
repeated on Monday (this evening). The opera was fol-
lowed by a panto-nime, partly new, and partly borrowed,
entitles! The Monkey bland. The introduction, in which
the lady who is afterwards Cdumbirte is imprisoned in an
island, and guarded by monkeys of all colours, until she
is released by a sailor, who of comae afterwards becomes
Harlequin, is amusing enough. But the remainder
of it, destitute as it is of anything like gorgeous scenery,
is altogether too long and tiresome, notwithstanding
the very ludicrous gambols of that rrince of Clown.,
Grimaldi the second ; and the pretty and graceful dancing
of Miss Romer, combined with the agility of Mr. Eller.
A few judicious curtailments towards ale awe would
render it, if not popular, at least sulficikmtly acceptable and
attractive.

Arial T.ON If AN CON C E RTS.—Thrsecntertainmentswhich
form an agreeable change in the round of London itinuse-
menus, seem to increase in attraction as the period of their,
close draws near. The visitors wig? on Saturday, as
numerous and fashionable as usual ; the delight which is
experienced in a Morning concert will easily account for
this. The selecticn was pleasing and rvinarkable for variety
and effect. Ilsudel, Mozart, Rossini, Bishop, De Clarke,
Caratfa, and Pucitta, had contributed to the list of pieces,
and the performance was as usual iNtinguished for its
di.:icaey, expression, and grandeur.