The Sun.
London, England, 1852-04-23 00:00:00

EVENING,

HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

The Barbiere di Seviglia was sustained last evening
at Mr. Lurnley's establishment in a signally effective and
satisfactory manner. The just and accurate obaervatiees
of a Contemporary on the exertions of the individual
performers so completely coincide with our own
impressions that we willingly transcribe them. The
Rosina of Mdlle. Cruvelli is, perhaps, her most successful
eff a't in opera buffa It is a genuine piece of comedy,
instinct with lite and animation. With the charm of
originality. it combines that of truth to nature. There
is a play ul coquetry in her bee-play
which carries out
her view of the character, and is only abandoned in the
last scene, when she fancies her lover has imposed upon
her with false pretences. Milile. Cruvelli gives a version
of
a the
mobpreo7dll; cavatina peculiarly her own. She varies
sad the text of
so brilliant and elegant that it is not easy to be angry
with them. Last night Mdlle. Cruvelli was remarkably
at her ease in all she attempted. Each daring roulade,
each elaborate and capricious ornament, was executed
with consummate addless, and succeeded to admi-
ration. The large melody eof the andante and the grace-
ful movement of the allegro were equelly well developed.
Rarely indeed has the famous " Urni voce poco fa" been
un
,more
signed
.o nt
s?n,vism,
so.ng, and rarely has it excited more
enthusiasm, Is the duet with Figaro,
, Danci ely
the original is more acceptable
than any possible transformation; and though it was
given with the utmost ipirit by Mdlle. Cruvelli and Sig-
nor Belletti, we should hve preferred Alboni's reading,
ci
le
which is neither more nor less than that of Rossini. la
the lesson scene Mae. Cruvelli introduced Rode's air
with variations, nieh, with the fresh remembrance of
Madame Sontag s faultless vocalisation, did not fail to
transport the audience, and the encore, discreetly de-
clined in the " "Una voce," was not to be denit d in this
Metance. The lea variation, in which Mdlle. Cruvelli
produced a new end legitimate effect, by giving the first
part alternately forte
and piano, was repeated with in-
creased success. Lableche was more than ever irresis-
tible in Bartel°, his impersonation of which, as a piece
of real burro acting, is unsurpassable. He kept the
audience, throughout the evening, in continuous
roars., of laughter. Signor Belletti's execution of
" Largo al factotum" of the duet with Alma:
viva, " All'idea di qua! metallo," with Signor Citizelart,
and, indeed, of all the music of Figaro, was the perfec-
tion of correctness. Not less excellent was the vocalisa-
tion of Signor Calzelari, in Almaviva, which, from. t.,"
he
graceful aria, Ewe ridente," to the trio, " Zan
with Mdlle. Cruvelli and Signor Belletti, was graceful
eaayeand artistic. Signor Ferlotti attempted to render
"
the character of Basilio as grotesque as possible, and
succeeded.
He did not however, succeed in being
funny; but, to make amends,
sang the fine air " La
exceediegly well. Mr. Balfe seemed to share
,
the general enthusiasm; the overture was admirably
played by the hand, the greatfinate to the first act was
given with striking effect. and rhe orchestral accompani-
ments were remarkable thoughout for delicacy and pre-
ciaion. Mdlle. Cruvelli came before the curtain, with
Lablache, Calaolari and Belletti, after each act, amid the
loudest applause.
Such a satisfactory first performance
of the Barbiere di Seviglia will doubtless insure a second
very ahortly.
to play on Thursday next her greatest part—that of
in Leonora,Meanwhile Mdlle. Cruvelli is announced
Beethoven's Fidelio.
Amongstthe noble and distinguished company honour-
ing the performance with their pretence, we r.-marked
the following:—His Grace the Duke of Wellington,
his Excellency the Russian Minister, the Bareness
Brunner, and Madlle. de Brunnow; the Countess of
Harriegton and Lady Jane St. Maur Stenhere and Fetel
Grey. Her mai,fity's box was occupied by Lady Caro.
line Barrington, the Counteav Grey, Lady Alice Lamb-
ton, the E of Durham, the Hon. Mr. Barrington and
party. There were also present Mrs. Hatton and the
Misses Hatton, Mr. Bathurst, Mr. Egerton, Lord George
Paget, the Viscount Enfield the Viscount Dupplin, the
Right Ron. Sir % illiam Somervillee.M. r. Thistlethwaite,
Mr. and Miss Holford, Mr. Martin, Mr. and Mrs.
Wheeler, the Hon. Colonel Boyle, the Marquis of Clan-
ricarde, the Countess of Bradford, Str J. Gerard, Bart.,
Lieutenant-General Sir Alexander Woodford, Bart.,
Lady Woodford, and Miss Woodford; the Countess
(Doe ag(r) of Herrington, Captain Smith, Mr, and Mrs.
Brenton Trelawney, Colonel and Mrs. Outram, Captain
Gordon, Mrs. Weston, Mr. Sheriff Cotterell, Mr. Storer
Miss Caroline Bellew, Mrs. Caldwell, Mr. C. Barry'
Baldwin, M,P., Mr. C. W. Packe, M.P., and Mrs.
Packe Reading, Mrs. Trelawney, Sir Claude Wilde, &c.

MADEMOISELLE JOHANNA WAGNER.

To THE EDITOR OF THE sun.
SIR,--The stavements contained in the letter signed
"Albert Wagner," which appeared in the papers of this
morning, are through,,ut completely at variance with the
facts, and also with letters in my possession from ?Addy.
Wagner and her hither. _ _

The real eireumstancs of the case will be immediately
laid before the public, when it will be found that Mdlle.
Wagner is most unjustifiably endeavouring to break a
wri:tcn contract, which was ratified many months ago,
nod to injure, so far as she has the power, both mybeit
and the establishment of which I am the director. I
shall, however, place myself, without fear, on the impar-
tial judgment of the pnblic.—l am, &c,,

B. LITIILEY.
Her Mejesty's Theatre, April 22, 1852.

NEW MUSIC.
SWEET DAYS OF YOUTH. Written by George
Soane, A. 8.; composed by T. Thorpe Peed.
This is a genuine English ballad, full of pathetic sen-
timent and delicacy of expression. The words are
simple, forcible, and harmonious (as words for music
should ever be). Mr. Thorpe Peed, in his arrangement
of them, has been singularly successful. The melody is
plaintive and fhwing, and is most gracefully introduced
tin" wecoulde"enin symphony ; so gracefully, indeed,
hat almost have %billed its repeti-
tion in place of the series of chords with which
he has marked the conclusion of each verse. Arranged
in two flat*, "Skeet days of Youth" is strictly one of
the class of pathetic ballads, and should, ere long, be
ranked among the most popular. The tone that per-
vades this very charming song is that of pensive ten-
derness, while it abounds at the same time with touches
of energy and passion.

CHANCERY.--(THIS DAY.)
(Before the LORDS JUSTICES.)
POWELL V BOLTON—HOWARD V EARL.
This was au appeal from a decree of the Master of the
Rolls, dismissing the two bills which had been filed in
the years 1832 and 1848, the first as supplemental
to or reviver of the first, against the plaintiffs, the ad-
ministrators of John Biaten.
The COURT this morning gave judgment, affirming
the decision of the Master of the Rolls, and dismissing
the apeeal with costs.
No buliness of importance was brought before the
other Equity Courts during the morning,

QUEEN'S BENCH.—(THIS DAY.)
(Sittings in asTICO before the LORD CHIEF JUSTICE, Mr.
Justice WIGHT:MAN, Brad Mr. Justice EBLE.)
BUSINESS OF THE COURT.
Lord CAMPBELL intimated this morning., that to-
morrow, after the cases on the Crown paper had be.n
disposed of, the Court would take the old and new trials
remaining on the paper. 00 Musday the enlarged rules
would be peremptorily called on, and each c.se would
be struck out in which counsel were not in attendance.

SECONDARIES.—(TfiI". DAY.)
(Before Mr. Secondary Purran.
LONGCROPT V. JACKSON.
This was an action brought by the indorsee of a
bill of exchange against the acceptor, to recover the
sum of 12/. 10s. on a bill of exchange.
The defendant pit-Ailed that he did not accept the bill.
Mr. Charles Stanley was called, and stated that he
was a solicitor. He had known the defendant for
twenty years, and believed the acceptance to be in his
handwriting. In cross-examination he admitted that he
had not seen defendant write for between fourteen and
fifteen years.
The defendant's ATTORNE submitted that the jury
ought not to rely on the.recollection of the witness as
to his knowledge of the handwriting after such a lapse of
time.
The Learned SECONDARY said that the recollection of
a handwii,ing might exiat tur a much longer time.
The jury, aster a short consultation, found for the