The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-01-26 00:00:00

THE KING'S THEATRF:.

The excellent arrangements of Signor the diree-
tnr of the King's Theatre, for this season, were exhibited
on Saturday evening to the utmost advantage: both in the
judicious and varied excellence of musical talent which he
has selected, and in the skilful disposal of it, he appears ad-
mirably fitted for superintending an establishment, whose
province it is to cater to the most refined and cultivated
tastes in the empire. Perhaps on no former occasion did
this Theatre open with so much brilliant and novel attrac-
tion. and with the aid of performers of such rare and ap-
proved talent as on the present.
Bo highly was the expectation excited by the announced
performance of Wasn't's opera of Zeintira, on Saturday
night. that as curly as half-past six o'clock the house was
literally crowded with as elegant and enthusiastic an au-
dience as ever assembled within its walls. To the talents
that had
given birth to the music about to be heard, every
cr. die habeen conceded by the public, %silo accordingly
anticipated a new specimen of the rarest excellence in ope-
ratic composition ; and we may very safely aver that the
warmest expectant was not disappointed, but rather found
the treat be went to share with so many eager amateurs,
fully equal to all that his imagination had pictured. (ht
the sal ject of the music we of course have much to saw,
but the natural order of things requires that we should
first give a sketch of the plot of the piece, accompanied
with a few remarks on its merits as a drama.

The story, or oigumento, of Zehegira is as follows:
Po!Star°, King of hobos, an aged and noellent Prince, was
happy in the reiteration of his people and the tender affection of
his daughter, Zelniira, and her spouse, 110, a maignanimoss aad
valiant Imjan Prince. Engaged in a contest with an enemy who
threatened his doininiuns, be was compelled to a temporary ab-
sence front the territory of his Royal timber-in-law. :Izorre, Lord
of Mitylene, am! lately tlw suitor of Zelniira, exasperated by Poll-
doeu's refusal of her hand, determines to avail kinutelf of the sb-
senee of Ito, by invading and laying waste the dominions of the
aged monarch. Conceiving the death of the Lesbian Prince to be
mousey to his purpose of destroying the kingdom, he endea-
vours to discloser the asylum to which he bad retired. Con-
cealed by his daughter in the tomb of his royal ancestors, Po-
Woo escapes the search of Asorre, whose meditated vengeance
is rendered still less attainable by Zelmira's feigned hatred of ha
father, for having deprived her of the fruits of her brilliant con-
quest of the heart of Axone. and the false information she gives of
the place of his retreat, stating it to be the Temple of Ceres.
MOROI mind is no sooner turned in that direellon, than he am.
denies the sacred edifice to the lianas. In the mean time, Antenore,
who aspirol• to the thyme of Mitylene, seconded by Leucippo,
orders that, at the dead of night, Azores should be assassinated,
in order that he himself may mount the throw of limbos, which
object he, by his anthem, Wafts. Rut 110, having defeated his
enemies, returns oppentmely to the kingdom; of his father-in-law—
spiedily, by the aid of his courageous followers, vanquishes and
puts to flight ibe usurper, amid reinstates Polidoro on his throne.
This anecdote, as it is modestly styled by the author of
the present piece, is partly taken from the tragedy of
7,eitoire by Salty ; but in our opinion it claims to be dig-
:tilled by a higher title. At any rate it affords an ample
field for operatic display, and we think every advantage
hat been taken of the story, both in regard of the adseiti.
lions incidents introduced, and the interesting situations
suggested by the process of the events, and the catastrophe
of the plot. In speaking of the music of this opera, we
should do but partial justice So the very ingenious com-
poser, were we to confine ourselves to general expressions of
praise. Signor Rossini is the possessor of very various and
equally particular qualifications for the exercise of the fine
and noble art to which he has devoted his genius. In the
first place, his melodies arc not only elegant, but most
forcibly expensive, and moreover so novel as to indicate
much power of emotion. The science on which the evolu-
tions of his harmony, and the turns of his meloilial pa-
ngs... are founded, bespeak a deep and well conducted
course of study; and the taste with which he embellishes
his original conceptions, demonstrate a natural talent for
high and finished ornament. In his chorusses we trace
&masterly combination of parts, and, both in them and his
airs, a certain felicity in modulation, that alone would be
sufficient to manifest his proficiency as a harmonist and
composer of that music, which, while it displays a pro-
fuaffity of theoretic knowledge, exhibits it in subser-
viency to the great purpose of realizing the passions by
paining the scene in the colours of feeling and nature.
Before we descend to particulars as regarding this opera,
we have to notice the nice and discriminating judgment
evinced in its recitative a. 'f hese, largely partaking of the
nature of melo-dramatic composition, come directly under
the denomination of dinstratire music. And the instances
uttered on Saturday night, in proof of Rossini's powers in
this important department of his art, give evidence of his
competency Many difficulty in which the various and com-
plex circumstances of the dramatis pet. may place this
composer. Not only his in.ernin, delicate and tender, or
ab opt and broken as they may be, but the tone and style
of his accompaniments, ettioree every sentiment of the
spesker, and prove his full possession of the scene and of
himself. In the mixture of his instruments ltosaini ap-
pears to have profoundly studied Mozart, especially in re-
spect of the employmeitt of the inflatile part of the or.
ch• stra ; as in his chromatic transitions he is evident-
ly not a little indebted to the examples left him 11
Hilda. Following the poet equis passibits, he omits
no appropriate softness, no delicacy of expression,
no burnt or ebullition of passion ; but, alive to the
vArious and mingled interest of the scene, he makes
every performer utter the rotes consonant to his own
particular station, and the parts of his score are
scarcely better adapted to the instrument to which they
are respectively assigned, than are the passages given to
the several persons of the scene. If we have any draw-
hne%s to offer to this general cemmentlation, they are
r trim d to these ;—that sometimes, through carelessness,
the modulation is not perfectly legitimate; that at other
tt:e.rs, it bottlers on the extravagant; and that, in a few
Mstatirt a, but only a few, the transitions are violent and
ilf..cted. But these blemishes are drowned in a flood of
excellence, and are, perhaps, scarcely worth mentioning.
Ahongs: the prli..elar merits of this opera, we have to
notice the bola energy of the chorus, Si,regnet,o principa,
in the first scene of the first act ; the beautifully pathetic
am. of .-1/1!
.cria ft it.worse if di, sung by l'olitloru; the ex-
quisite melody of Lr lawecia mi stendi, given to &I-
min the clients of warriors in the fifth scent., and
the touching cast of the tenth, between flu, Zrlntiro, and
l'airiepo, in which the sentimetes art imparted in " strains
teat 1)T1 athe and notes that burn." The chorus of virgins
the second scene of the second act is chastely sweet.
I'n' Passage given to " Yiaa -rime itodtresi," is most hap-
analogous ; and the following scene near the tomb,
and l'olidoro, is meltingly affecting. The
h':7,4"." " grentmectio," uttered by Zehri;ra, in the
.""‘ well; under the impression that her father is no
I;,‘ter, squsls any thing we ever heard of the kind ; and
1, u' (m mdre,•• in the eighth competes with it in the
.4eful force of its impression. 'flie happy contrast to
11',u1••!a the airs "iVami! e sits err?" and "Ikh !
also sung by 7rlmira, are equally striking ; and
I , •
Xll} a
.4 specimen of the expression of universal
_ll, satisfaction. These and other excellencies, had
I.rwln to enumerate them all, would, with our readers,.
re Ronni in the exalted rank in his profession to which
r is .I_,
"Intim • and to those who may imagine that we have
r'eta as
,0 h • as an (pantie composer, too high a station, we
(hi anti hear the simsic of Zatniro.
sin
• 7, Plarwit•al performers were Madame (olbran Ros-
/datile Vistris, Signor Signor Curioni,

Signor Placci, Signor Porto, and Signor Franeheschi ; ;
the first and last of whom never before appeared in this
;country. Madame Rossini's voice, though not of the
highest description, in point of tone or of compass,'
is tolerably powerful, and not without the quality of
mellifluousness, while her style is finished, and her ,
manner easy and elegant. Signor Franchtechi possesses a ;
good.hrtainenti, and throws forth his tones with a free-
dam that produces an excellent effect. The merits of the ;
other vocalists are too well known to require our dwelling
upon their characteristic or distinguishing qualities, any
; further than to pay, that they acquitted theniselves with
I considerable eclat ; and that, notwithstanding the inherent
excellence of the music they had to perform, their eXLT-
i tions, nt least, omit...hated to the composer's triumph.
A divertisement chivalresque, entitled " lloinieur aux
Thins," followed the opera. It was like the general class
of good divertiseinents, a very amusing piece of light and ;
humorous gaiety, well suited to occupy agreeably the in-
tcryal between the opera and ballet. It consisted princi-
pally in the alternate succesionof pas de deux and p.is do
tr"is, in which Mr. V. Vestris, Mademoiselle Legros,
and Mademoiselle Grenea appeared. In our notice of the
rehearsal at this theatre ow rhurailay we ventured to ex-
preas our anticipation of the valuable accession which these
ladies would prove themselves to be to the corps de
Our anticipation was fully realised on Saturday
night, when we saw them on an occasion more calculated
to stimulate them to exertion, and in a costume more
appropriate for the display of their sylph-like pip-evenings.
The elegant dancing of a beautiful woman, though in the
ordinary female dm*, and, as on Thursday evening, in an
air quite drgage, is very pleaainx—
.‘ Like sunshine on the rill,

Though tur;Taside, is sunshine still."
Rut the light, buoyant, and extatic boundings of
Mademoiselle Legros on Saturday evening, aided by
a singularly tasteful and light costume, was truly a
most fascinating and delightful exhibition. Her gay,
sprightly, and voluptuous style, is more pleasing and
popular than the stiff and artificial manner of Madame
Anatole, over whom she has also the advantage in youth-
fulness and grim. E.Cloralium as So/rd, which is the name
of the new ballet, abounds in the rich display of Oriental
costume, of fascinating grace, and varied and beautiful
evolutions. The some is laid in Peru, which gives great
scope for the display of that gorgeous magnificence, both
of natural scenery and of costume, which we are wont
always to asociate with the nations of the East, of which
we have some very fine specimens in Sheridan's PLorro.
anti in other popular plays on the English stage. The
three pieces were loudly applauded ; and we only feel a
difficulty in deciding to which was the warmest approba-
tion awarded. At the conclusion of the Opera, Rossini
was called for: he came forward, and received the loud
and cordial greetings of the audience, which be acknow-
ledged with the most becoming and modest gracefulness.

On Friday, a Board of the Lords of the Treasury was
held at the 'freasury Office, Whitehall.
On Saturday, the first general assemblage of the Cabinet
Ministers for the season, previous to the meeting of Par-
liament, took place at the Earl of Liverpool s house,
Whitehall, the summonses for which were issued about a
fortnight since. There were present, besides the Noble
Earl, the Lord Chancellor, the Earl of Ilarrowby, the
Earl of Westmorland. Mr. Peel, Mr. Canning, Earl Ba- ,
thurst, the Duke of Wellington, the Chancellor of the
Exchequer, Viscount Melville, Mr. Wynn, Mr. Ilus-
kisson, Lord Bexley, and Viscount Sidmouth, being the
whole of the Cabinet Ministers. The Earl of Liverpool
entertained the Ministers with a sumptuous dinner.
The Duke of Wellington and the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer came from the Earl of Verulam's seat in Hen-
fordshire ; the latter came in his travelling chariot and
four, from St. Alban's, to i%7►itehall. The Earl of West-
morland also arrived at Whitehall in his travelling chariot
and four, from his seat at Apthorpe, near Walmsford,
Northamptonshire. The Earl of Ilarrowby also came to
town Inc the express purpose of attending the meeting, as
summoned.

The Earl of Macclesfield, u Captain of the Yeomen
Guard, has appointed Mr. %Vans, late one of that corps,
to be Messenger of that corps, in the roan of Mr. Hunt,
deceased.

It is rumoured that Mr. Croker is about to retire from
the Admiralty. The lion. Secretary (says a morning
paper), is destined to enjoy the delights of Indian rule, as
Governor of Bombay. In allusion to this, the Mae of
Saturday observes—" This is not likely to be the case, as'
the India Company arc too well satisfied with the present
able sod worthy Governor (Mr. Elphinstone), at that
Presidency to think of any changes there, except, indeed,
that the latter gentleman may be called to fill the superior
situation of Governor of Madras, where a change is also
talked of in the Government, to which, report adds, Sir
John Malcolm is likely to be appointed."
Admiral Sir George Martin, G.C.11. will succeed to the
command at this port, and hoist his flag on board the Vic-
tory, 100, Captain Chalks Inglis, on the .25th of March
next. Mr. 'l'riphook is to be Secretary to the Commander-
in-Chief.—Por innorth Paper.
A new piece of Lord Byron's, entitled the Del; prm-d
Trans ra mai, is about to appear. It is partly founded
on tl.c Faust of Goethe ; the hero is a hump-back, to
whom the Devil gives the shape of the beautiful Achilles,
on ccndition that he (Satan) is to accompany the Trans-
f ed every where • and in virtue of this compact, the
Evil One is perpetually at his elbow.—F.rorniner.
Miss Paton sings for the Choral Fund Concert.
Ma. PHI I. r 24.—Thia centhmin is now giving a course
of Ice:urea in Dublin on the art of singing, to elegant au-
diences, and we know of no prof( saw who is better quali-
fied to the task. It is one of the misforn nsr of the age
that the public every now and then run riot after novelty,
and neglect real talent ; nor do imit recollect a more com-
plete instance that that connected with Mr. Philips's pro-
fersional life. As an actor and singer combined, h., was
very conspicuous on the London boards ; his atm nc f orm-
'ed a blank in the operatic dm pat tment of one of the na-
tonal theatres, which has not yet been filed. and the Irish
papers are justly and carne stly applauding his talents,
which arc exhibited to great advantage as a lecturer and
singe•-.
Aro Et° wicox.—On Saturday the Concert upon this
delightful instrument was numerously and fashionably at-
tended. The selection was of a very pleasing nature, and
admirably performed by Mr. Purkis, who introduced some
most effective and scientific pieces.
The Grand Master of the Order of Malta, Lou-
bat de Verdalle, having been cited before the Pope's
tribunal, to clear himself of certain charges which
the order had brought against him, repaired to
Rome. The then reigning Pontiff was of the house of
IColonna • and Verdalle, on his arrival, alighted at the pa-
la:e of his Holiness 'a nephew. The latter, in contempt,
and to show the Grand Master that his fate was in the
hands of his uncle, and depended on the credit which he
himself had with him, had caused time sculptured figure of
a wolf, bound by a chain to the shaft of a column (clonna).
to be fixed in the outer court of his palace, the arms of the
house of I'erdalle being a wolf. The Grand Master was
sensibly piqued at this bitter sarcasm of Colonna, and re-
solved to avenge himself in as' lar way. Ile dissembled,
however, during his stay at Rome; but having freed him-1
self from the accusations brought against hint by his ene-
mies, Immediately on his return to Malta, he had erected,
in the great square, towards one of the angles of his pa-
lace, a column on which was seen a wolf in an unsightly
act. Every attempt to have it levelled was unauccessful:
it remained standing until the last 3lagistery, or Govern-
ment of the Grand Master of Malta, when it was demo-
lished for no other reason than because it threatened to fall
in ruins.