The Sun.
London, England, 1864-10-17 00:00:00

Royal English Opera, Covent-garden.

The inauguration of the first season of the Royal
EngHata Cumpany (Limited) on Saturday was a
complete success. Long before the rising of the
curtain every seat of the splendid theatre was oc•
cupied, and on Mr Mellon taking his seat in the
orchestra he was warmly greeted.
In selecting Auber's opera of " Masaniello" for
the first performance, the directors acted very
wisely, because it enabled them to introduce one of
their new tenors, and at the same time to avail
themselves of the opportunity of presenting to the
public one of the grandest and most striking spec-
tacles produced during the last season at the Royal
Italian Opera.
After the performance of the brilliant and charming
overture, an encore for which Mr Melton could not
resist, the opera commenced, and the opening
scene at once showed the style and spirit
the company intend to produce their operas.
There was the peasantry, courtiers, soldiers,
and ballerini gradually filling the vast wing and
elevated terrace in the background with the admin.
able ensemble grouping and colours for which the
Italian Opera at Covent Garden has become re,-
nowned both at home and abroad. While on the
subject of spectacle, we may observe that a buzz of
satisfaction greeted the scene of the environs of
Portici, with the fishermen unloading the boats, &c.
on the rise of the curtain on the second act, and
then the admiration culminated at the life-like
bustle of the market place, and tremendous finale of
the revolt of the people, amid the flames of the
burning palace, of the Duke, and the barricades
and ground strewed with the wounded and the
dying.
Having thus briefly disposed of the scenic portion
of the opera we come to the most important in
gredient, viz., the singers. The part of the
hero, MaEaniello, was sustained by Mr. Charles
Adams, an Englishmen we believe, who
has just finished a successful engagement
at the Royal Opera, Berlin. His voice is a high
tenor, clear, and of considerab:e register. He is
slender in figure, but possesses a pleasing counte-
nance ; and although we should say he is on ordi-
nary occasions perfectly at his ease on the stage,
on Saturday night ho was evidently Buffering from
great nervousness. To that circumstance we attri-
bute the slight Effect produced in singing the cele-
brated barcarole at the commencement of the second
act. In the duet with Pietro he was some-
what deficient in energy ; but in the tender portions
of the part Mr Adams revealed the true quality of
his voice. In the air addressed to his sleeping sister
he sang with a richness of tone and feeling which
made it as charming as it was pathetic. Despite
all the drawbacks Mr Adams made a most success-
ful debtit, and one thing is perfectly certain, viz.,
that we have a most accomplished tenor, and one
whose real triumph has yet to come. Mr Herbert
Bond, another debatant, sustained the un-
thankful part of Alfonso, but he also produced a
most favourable impression. Hie voice is a tenor of
light quality, but capable, we should imagine, of
much better things than the part of the Count
affords. Mr Weiss, as Pietro, sang in his usual
style—the guitar song, in the fifth act, of course
brought down immense applause. The other male
parts were all well sustained. Madame Parepa'e
Elvira was the best we have heard on the
English stage, and although the part is one
far below the talents of the accomplished
ci
ei n t
die Rose
artiste, she sang the music) with as much
care and taste as if it had been one of the most
mim-
portant description. Perhaps the most difficult
character fur which to find an fan
representa-
tiveGra theiusd th dumbe m a
naggierml 1°
management
enel
have
succeeded l a
beyond all
but
Our hope. With the exception of the late Madame
Monte we have never seen the part more exquisitely
performed. _ _

The opera concluded most successfully, and all
that remains for us to do is to congratulate the
directors and manager of the company on the
brilliant commencement of their new enterprise.