The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-01-09 00:00:00

KLVG'S THE,IIIIE.

Mask is the poetry of sonnd. Singing bears the same
relation to oral specelt that piictry dots to written langitaee.
In this retire our ordinary talk is FTOSC the URIC 60U1111.1

modulated, according to tie kuuwu Tilh.£ of harmony, and
having received a rhythmical form, 25SUIlic the 1)111, tic cha-
racter, music, and, most of all, vocal music is a sort of
. _ .

physical poetry. Like its loftier and, perhaps, elder sister,
it owes its origin to the rudest, soil continues to be culti-

staled by the most raided nations of mankind. The sage
and the sas.a;,:i acknowledge its infidence alike. Pursuing
the parralbf between the kindred arts, eviry age and
country has, or haul, its peculiar character in tiro); and the
Italian school of music may perhaps be best liku.ned to tlia

Eastern style in poetry. I.4e:h is florid, striking, highly
ornamented,—more remarkable for splendour than simpli-
city, and producing street by means of the high finish of
particular passages rather than through the agency of ge-
neral continuity, and a sustained but severe chasteness of
design. The inflitence of either lias been prodigious. We
trace the effects of the oriental style in every dtpartmert of
our literature, and in music we have now scarcely anything
that is not in a grater or less degree identified with, or
modi-
tied by, the Italian. We are speaking of what is generally
cdriptchended within the term " modern music"--perhap
we might extend the observation farther. Howes( r, we
omit all mention of, strictly speaking, " national melodies."
Italian music has lately made another stride towards tp.
coming general. The Opera (there is but one in tl:e world,
and therefore we use the term absolutely) is joit, intro.
duced in America, and another continent has atknowled,;ed
the sway of the mighty enchantress.
We have been led to make these reflections by the re.
opining of the King's Theatre, which took place on Satur-
day. The performance of the evening was Meyerbeees
Opera of II Crorialo in Egitto, which afforded an occa-
sion for the introduction of two new vocalists, whom we
consider material acquisitions to the already strong
corps this Theatre can boast. Indeed, aided by the
acknowledged and established powers of Sier,ors Vel-
litti, Porto, and Curioni, the debit/antes afforded
treat well calculated to delight the ears of all lovers
of Italian singing; and we apprehend they are pot
a few to whom " the sweet airs' of the Opera form an
atmosphere of pleasure. Of the ladies in question Madame
13011:211 is the first in order. She is, as we have heard. a

pupil of \Anti, and certainly her style 31 singing is se;ift,
as to prove that great and effectual pains have tee:, taken
in the ccurse of her musical education. Iler proficiency in
the art is of a nature that reflects the highest credit on her
own efforts and those of her instructor. With great
power and precision of execution, Madame Ilonini unites
no small share of that feeling which, when evinced Ia
perfection, may be considered the soul of song. Her voice
is good, and of a very pleasing character. In personal
appearance she does not display those attractions so gene-
rally agreeable, and which do not often fall to the lot
f a prime& donna. The style of singing alopted by
Madame somewhat reminded us, and irdced most

resembled, that of her predecessor Camporese. Her pert of
several of the concerted pieces was ably sustained—we
may particularly allude to the finale of the first act, and
the quartetto, " 0 CLlo chortaw, ' in she second, both
which were Pncored. %VW) a larger share of personal ad-
vantages, Michelle Cornega does not equal the lady last
mentioned, either in voice or musical acquirements. We
even doubt whether she possesses sufficient volume and
power of voice for a theatre so large as the Opera-house.
However, in making this remark on the quality of the
organ possessed by Madame Cornega, it should be observed,
that occasionally we imagined we detected an appeararre
of indisposition which might account for the deficiency. It
may be better, therefore, to defer a more definitive opinion
for another opportunity. But with respect to her perform-
ance of Saturday night,' we are bound to say it was by
nolmeans equal to that of our favourite Garcia, who pre-
ceded her in the part of Feiieia. The celebrated aria,
" Giovinetto Cavalier," was not very successfully gives'
or favourably received. In other respems Madame
Corners, as well as Madame Bonini, experienced a
great sitar e of approhatien. With respect to the
male performers, it is only necessary to say that Signor
Velluti was in excellent voice, sung the music of Armando
in his best style, and was most favourably received by the
audience. Porto was extremely efficient in the Sultan, &till
we never have heard Curirmi to equal advantage before in
Adriano. This singer is daily improving, and bids fair soon
to become an established favourite. The passage in the first
act, where he reproaches AI ?nand° for his desertion of
country and religion, was beautifully given, and, assisted by
Veltutes singing in the iniated Knight, produced a delight-
ful and powerful effimt.
After the opera was concluded, and " Goel save the
King" sung by the company, a new ballet entitLd Justine;
en, la (ruche Otyvee, was performed. The composer is M.
IY.Egville, and the new music, which is pretty and striking
enough, is by Bochsa. The ballet would be considerably
amended by curtailment. At present it is so long, that the
curtain did not fall till considerably past midnight. Ow-
ing to this circumstance, and some heaviness in the action
of the piece, there were occasionally signs of disapproba-
tion end impatience manifested by the spectators. Among the
new dancers.we particularly noticed Mademoiselle Brocard,
who has the advantages of a fine face and-figure, and dances
with great grace and elasticity. Mademcist lles Fleurot and
Pauline are also great acquisitions to the corps de ballet.
We were happy to observe among our old favourites Mon-
sieur Coulon, who danced inimitably ; and Monsieur and
Madame Le Blond (formerly Mademoiselle Amer), who
also displayed great ability, particularly the lady.
The house was fully and fashionably attended. AVe
noticed Mr. and Mrs. Hughes Ball in their box, appa-
rently taking considerable interest in the ballet.

Miss Foote has bean piaying at Huddersfield with nr.i,h

sucs.tss.
The following is given in a foreign journal as an ac-
count of the number of officers who have entered into the
service of the Greeks. French, '2 Generals, 3 Colonels, 7
Captains, and 2I Lieutenants and Sms-Lieutenants ;
Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and Piedmontese, 2l;enc-
rale, 5 Colonels, 33 Captains, Lieutenants and Ensigns ;
English and American 35, but respective ranks not stated ;
the number of subalt, MS of different nations exceeds 100.
The total comprises all who have entered into the service
during the last three yeirs ; dsaucting those who hare re-
turned to Europe, and these who have entered into
the Egyptian army, at least four-fifths have been lest to
the Greeks.
The canvass for the University of Cambridge is preced-
ing with unabated activity. The Attorney-General bas a
Committee sitting in London, and another at Cambridse.
where he has a second time persmally canvassed all the
resident voters. Lord Pahnerston is now at Cambritlse.
and Mr. Bankes returner these from Norwich a few dsys
since. Mr. Gonlhurn has returned to Ireland, but he hss
a Committee still assembled in London.
Lancelot Shadwell, Esq. of Lincoln's Inn. has just can-
vassed the free and independent electors of the borough of
Ripon, in the place of Mr. Gipps, who, it is understood,
will retire on the dissolution of Parliament ; which events
according to reports in that quarter where the intentions of
the Cabinet arc supposed to he sometimes known Wore
they come to the knowledge of the public, will take OW
in April next.—Geed., Mercury.
The revenue of excise in Scotland has been inereasinr.
because the quantity of legally distilled spirits has greatly.
Increased, and is every where increasing, to the exclusion
smuggled spirits.
A SINGULAR RESTORATION OF PROPF.RTY.—A robbery
took place a very short time ago in two Louses, adjoining
each other, in Liverpool : from one was taken a casket of
jewels and other ornaments, which the owner, on wanting
to use them, found were taken from the drowns, and the
other contents strewed about the floor. Search was made
without effect. The other was robbed of four soverognr.
taken frsm a bureau, from a parcel of eighty-four sove-
reigns, while the proprietor was asleep in bed in the Milt
room. Every search was made without ancavering thf
perpetrator of the robbery. A few evenings after a wr,l
dressed young man knocked at the door, with the
casket, as it was, the contents safe, and a note, stating
was his first attempt, and begged that the affair might not
be made public: a similar note, with the Pm. sovereigns
were also left at the next door. Who the party is, or hots
the robbery was committed, remains as yet undiacereted•