The Sun.
London, England, 1852-04-19 00:00:00

THEA TRICAL INTELLIGENCE.

THE " TWO HOUSES" AND AIDLLE. WAGNER.—
The theme which now gives rise to so much conjec-
ture and much surprise in the musical world is the
announcement at each operatic establishment of the
forthcoming appearance of Mdlle. Johanna Wagner,
the prima donna of the Berlin Opera, whose fame
has already been loudly trumpeted in England. The
facts of the matter we believe to be as follows, and we
merely state what is now reported as the true version
of a somewhat curious incident. By the en-
gagement drawn up between Mr. Lumley
and Mdlle. Wagner, it was agreed that, as an
assurance of good faith on the part of the former,
a certain amount of deposit money was to be paid to
the prima donna on a certain day, by the non-fulfil-
ment of which agreement the engagement was ren-
dered void. The directors of the Royal Italian
Opera, it would appear, learnt the conditions insti-
tuted, and had their doubts as to the probability of
their final settlement ; in the meantime they so
arranged their plans that some one possessing
their authority was upon the spot when the
deposit money became due. Mr. Lumley's
representative arrived in Berlin late in the even-
ing of the day appointed, and deeming it advisable
not to disturb the prima donna at so late an hour, de-
termined to fulfil his mission on the following morn-
ing. In the meantime, the emissary from the
management of the Royal Italian Opera, finding, on
application, that the deposit had not been made, im-
mediately offered Madlle Wagner an engagement,
which was as promptly accepted. Stich we be-
lieve to be the facts of the matter, and
from these only can we draw our con-
clusions. In the case of two operatic establish-
ments, instituted the one in direct opposition to the
other, we hold that each is possessed of full right to
take advantage of the slightest failing on the part of
its rival, and for this reason we cannot blame the con-
duct of the directors of the Royal Italian Opera ; but
having been previously, and in the first case,
applied to by the lessee of her Majesty's
Theatre, the hasty
.conduct of Madlle. Wag-
ner cannot be possibly justified, and casts a
repulsive shade upon her character as a lady,
which is by no means likely to benefit her at
the moment of her forthcoming appearance. The
consequences, in the case of the above facts being
fully true, are likely to prove seriously injurious to
Mr. Lumley, who is, under the circumstances, en-
titled to the kindliest consideration from the public
and the press. We may, perhaps, be premature in
the expression of our opinions, but we derive our con-
clusions from what we believe to be the facts of the
case.

HAYMARKET.—A new three-act comic drama,
written by Mr. Mark Lemon, and entitled Mind Your
Own Business, is in rehearsal at this theatre. Mr.
Webster having given English opera a full and
fair trial at this theatre, finds that it does not
command sufficient public patronage to warrant
bis continuance of it. If the public and the patrons of
native talent" do not support that talent when a ma-
nager produce at a heavy expense the best that the
country affords, the fault rests only with the public,
and the lessee must be absolved from blame, if he
ceases to expend his money upon an unremunerative
species of entertainment. We fear that the difficul-
ties of managers in the endeavour to maintain an
operatic company are greatly aggravated by the con-
ceit, the arrogance, and the stupid impracticability of
certain artists, whose abilities by no means entitle
them to extraordinary consideration.
JENNY Linn..---The most strenuous efforts are
making to induce this lady to lend her all-powerful
aid in support of her Majesty's Theatre during
the present season. At no previous period in
the history of Italian opera has this establish-
ment stood so much in need of the co-operation
of those who should be interested in its
being upheld. Without detracting in any way from
the eminent position of this distinguished vocalist, it
cannot be denied it was here she first achieved her
English fame, and it would be a proud reflection for
her in after life, that by her assistance this time-
honoured resort had been enabled to withstand the
difficulties and obstacles by which it is now sur-
rounded.

The New York Daily Times states that Jenny
Lind Goldschmidt and her husband will sail for
Europe, in the steamer Atlantic, in May, but that
previous to their departure they will give three con-
certs in New York in the latter end of the present
month.
__

ENGLISH VOCALISTS IN NEW YORK.—The fa-
vourite opera of The Child of the Regiment has been
performed at Niblo's. Madame Anna Thillon, Mr.
Hudson, and Mrs. M'Kenna, formerly Miss Melton,
sustaining the principal characters. The last-named
lady is a vocalist and actress of considerable talent,
who has not appeared on the stage for some time ;
she was a great favourite at the Theatre Royal Dub-
lin, previous to her departure for America, where she
sustained her professional reputation in various theatres
of the union.

THEATRE ROYAL, EDINBURGH.--A large audience
attended on Monday night, the occasion being Mr.
Glover's benefit. The performance commenced with
the new melodrama of The Corsican Brothers. After
the ghostly melodrama Mr. Barnett appeared in the
little interlude of Monsieur Jaques. A more finished or
artistic piece of acting, in its own line, than Mr. Bar-
nett's portraiture of the poor old Frenchman it would be
difficult to conceive. It is an exquisite cabinet pic-
ture, so to speak, made up of many minute and deli-
cate touches, yet not over elaborate, and full of true
feeling and quiet pathos. Not a few of the audience
testified by their tears to its touching truthfulness and
power, and the call for Mr. Barnett at the end was
enthusiastic.

EMILE P 11,IIDENT, the justly-famed pianist and
composer, is now in London, and purposes giving a
grand concert at the close of the present month.
FERDINAND HILLER—This gentleman, whose fame
as a composer i▪ s acknowledged throughout Germany,
has arrived during the past week, with the object of
superintending some of his musical works, to be pro-
duced during the present season.
Ma. AIA CARTHT.—This old and favourite actor,
whose delineati▪
ons of Irish character have been highly
appreciated by the public, is about making a profes-
sional tour through Scotland and Ireland with his
daughter, Miss Macarthy.
ROBERT I:Toupin, the famed conjuror of the Palais
Royal, is performing his wonders before large an-
dieoßnycEaelx% aor.
tthe Rotunda, Dublin.
—Meyerbeer has written a cantata for the
celebration of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the mar-
riage of Prince Charles of Prussia. This new composi-
tion of the great master is to be executed during
the sejour of the Empress of Russia.--
The Philharmonic Society gave its last con-
cert for the season on the 24th, under the
dhtiorewecrntdsiohin of M. Leopold Ganz. At the Frederick-
'William College the students of the first class have
given a performance of the tragedy of Antigone, as
originally written, and in the Greek language, with
the chorasses of Jstlendelssohn. The Theatre Frederick-
Williamßeginine. -
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iptrotclhuecedwithgr.eat
himsuccessgreatestsuccess.Switzerland engagements.
TnE
Royal, wll4,ouE, APRIL 10.—The French Theatre
of the Roiie-11 has been closed for more than four
months, has
dieusi re-opened with. the three act opera
oheme, by Saint Georges, and the
M. Lazsre Martin. The house was well
m attended.usi music
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CONSTANTINOPLE.—
Our theatre is getting on more
prosperously than for some time past. The young
violinist, Horace Polls,
ard, has been giving concerts
here with great success,
spowt,A recent tourist. in Germany gives the
following interesting notice of this talented musical
known all. over the country gs
" $e is
composer :