The Sun.
London, England, 1855-04-20 00:00:00

ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA.

Last evening the Royal. Italian Opera was the
scene of a manifestation of unusual, and, as far as
the present generation can judge, of unprecedented
enthusiasm and magnificence. It had been an-
nounced that the Queen had commanded the per-
formances, and that her Majesty would visit the
theatre in State, accompanied by the Emperor and
Empress of the French. On such an occasion, it
was to be expected that the very etite,,of London
society would be present, in order to add one more
to the many.public greetings offered to our Imperial
guests.
The 'director of the Opera, Mr. Gye, had made
arrangements worthy the occasion. The sane,
always brilliant and magnificent, presented a novel
and still more gorgeous aspect. The whole of the
theatre has been re-decorated for the occasion ; the
solid spices between the several tiers of boxes were
covered with white satin damask, and hung with
festoons of floWers. An effect of lightness and ele-
gance pervaded the whole area. Of late years,
the old arrangements on the .occasion of Royal
visits to the Opera had been changed. Formerly,
the State Box was at the side of the theatre, ad-
joining the proscenium; but her Majesty has in-
troduced the Continental custom—that of placing
the royal visitors in the centre of the house,
facing the stage. The theatre was, in this re-
spect, arranged last night as on the occasion of the
royal visit iu 1848. Four boxes, two on the grand
and two on the first tier, were thrown into one
grand state box, immediately over the central pit
entrance. Thus a space was left large enough to
accommodate the royal party and their respective
suites. The box was hung with a canopy of cherry-
() 'loured satin, embroidered with gold, and sur-
mounted with an imperial crown. In front wore
f air chairs of state.
As the Emperor and Empress had returned
somewhat late from the City, and as there was
afterwards a grand dinner at Buokingham Palace,
the royal party_ were not expected until towards
half-past nine o'clock. The opening of the doors
and the Banamencement of the performances were
delayed, in order to afford the more time. Soon
after eight o'clock the theatre began to fill, and by
half-past it presented a scene of unsurpassed bril-
liancy. The stalls were a-parterre of beauty and
gay colours ; and every box was crowded with oc-
cupants, formed of the choicest of Louden society.
Shot tly after half-past nine, and after the
curtain had fallen on the first act of Fidelio, a
stir and a buzz of expectatim announced the arri-
val of the royal visitors. A moment after and Queen
Viet )ria was seen entering from the back of the
royal box, leading by the arm the Emperor Napo-
leon, whom she thus, as it wore, conducted to the
front, and in a manner presented to the audience.
Prince Albert escorted the Empress Eugenie. The
reception was enthusiastic. The whole audience
rose, and the effect was magnificent. As cheer on
sheer greeted the imperial guests, they repeatedly
acknowledged these marks of honour. While they
were still standing, the orchestra performed the air
" Partant pour la Syrie," and then the national an-
them was sung, Mdlle. Bosio singing the plincipal
verses, supported by Formes, Gardoni, and the
other chief singers._ At the close of the opera, a
similar scene of enthusiasm occurred. Then, "God
save the Queen " preceded the " Partant pour la
Syrie," with an additional, or rather a substituted
verse, expressly composed for the occasion. En-
thusiastic manifestations of loyalty to the Queen
andot welcome to the imperial visitors accompanied
this display.
Such an occasion does not afford much opportu-
nity for a critical notice of the performance.
Fidelio, the opera commanded by her Majesty, has
already been produced at the Royal Italian Opera
in a manner fully sustaining the high reputation of
this great lyrical establishment. The feature of
the evening's performance was the first appearance
of Mdlle. Jenny Ney as the heroine. This lady
comes to us with a high reputation gained in the
first lyrical theatres of Germany. Her performance
last night sustained it, whether she be regarded as
a singer or as an actress. The character, we need
scarcely say, taxes the highest powers of a lyrical
artiste. Mdlle. Noy is thoroughly German in her
style of singing and acting. She possesses consi-
derable histrionic power, and is an accomplished
vocalist. With a full soprano.voiee of great range,
power, richness, and volume, ishe is fully capable
of developing the deep passion with which the
music of the part of Leonora is charged. We shall
have other opportunities of critically noticing her
performance of this character. The scene of last
evening is rather to be regarded as a demonstration
—as one more phase of the ovation offez ed to the
Emperor and Empress of the French on the part
of the people of this country, and in this respect it
was fully equal to those other receptions in which
the people at largo have taken the principal part.

THE ILLUMINATIONS.
The visit of the Emperor of the French to this country
last night elicited from the people of the metropolis a fur-
ther desire to do honour to the occasion by an illumina-
tion of their houses, and many of these displays wore
conducted on a large scale. The following were amongst
the most prominent :