The Sun.
London, England, 1839-05-17 00:00:00

THE ITALIAN OPERA.

The admirers of Mozart mustered in great force last
night, in consequence of the announcement of the most de-
lightful of comic operas, Le Nozze di Figaro. The pit
was crowded, and (though it was not a subscription night)
the boxes were filled, excepting those usually occupied by
the fashionable amatows of modern music who do not pa-
tronise the antiquated strain's of Mozart, and who are be-
ginning to vote even Rossini tot pcu passe. The opera
was admirably performed, and went off with great anima-
tion. The plaudits were incessant, and the overture and
all tlze principal airs and ducts were warmly encored. A
damp was thrown over the early part of the perSormance
by the indisposition of Grisi, who (as was stated by wny
of apology for her) had been suffering under a severe cold
and fever. At first she appeared weak and languid, ar►d
was, at times, almost inaudible; but she became by degrees
animated by the spirit of her captivating part, and, though
she did not recover her usual strenghth of voice, sang and
acted it delightfully. It even appeared that the subdued
sweetness of her tones gave a charm to her singing, which,
when in full possession of all its power and brilliancy,
it sometimes wants. She omitted the most difficult air of
the part ; but in the many beautiful things she had to do
in the second act, she left nothing to be desired. Persiani,
as the Countess Almaviva, acted with dignity and pro-
priety, and sang exquisitely. Her two airs, " Porgi
amor," and " Dove sono," were models of execution, taste,
and expression. Lablache, as Figaro, and Tamburini, as
Count Almaviva, were, as asual, admirable. The Page (a
part seldom done justice to) found an agreeable representa-
tive in Ernest Grisi, the young relative of our great eanta-
trice. She was very timid ; but timidity, mingled with es-
pieglerie, is a feature of the Page's character; nor was the
scenic illusion impaired by the evidentand pleesing anxiety
which Madame Grisi showed for the success of her youthful
protegee. The subordinate parts were well sustained by
Mrs. Seguin, Morelli, and Tad ; and the concerted
pieces, in which the voices of all the perform* were com-
bined, were magnificently sung.
An opera so gratifying to the public, and (we should
presume) so profitable to the manager, ought to be fro,-
quently repeated. It is one of those things which caneot
be repeated too often.

The Duke of Wellington gives a grand ball
this evening at Apsley House, in compliment to the Grand
Duke. From the preparation it is anticipated that k will
prove the most splendid fete this season.
TILE HEREDITARY GRAND DUKE OF RUS-
SlA.—Yesterday his Imperial Highness the Grand Duke
Alexander, accompanied by Prince William Henry of the
Netherlands, attended by Lord Torrington, Lord in Wait-
ing on her Majesty, M. de Tolstoy, Prince Bariatinsky,
Prince Dolgourouky, M. de Patkul, Col. Yourievitch, M.
d'Adlerberg, Sze., left Mivart's Hotel shortly after one so
visit the Mint. Their Highnesses stayed nearly two hours .
in inspecting the process of coining, and, as we understand,
-were highly amused. Oa leaving the Mint, his Imperial
Highness, and the Prince of the Netherlands, and suite,
proceeded to the manufactory of Messrs. Storr and Morti-
mer, in Harrison-street, Gray's Inn-road. Mr. Mortimer
received the Grand Duke, and showed his Imperial Highness
every process in the manufacture of plate, and to whose ex-
planations his Imperial Highness paid great attention. His
Imperial Bigness, and the Noblemen and gentlemen in his
suite, appeared particularly interested at the facility with
which a medal, bearing the likeness of the Grand Duke, was
modelled and cast in his presence. His Imperial Highness
was presented with the medal by Mr. Mortimer. His Imperial
Highness and attendants did not ride in the Park yester-
day. The Grand Duke entertained his Royal Highness
the Prince William Henry of the Netherlands at dinner
yesterday, when the Russian Ambassador, 'M. de Kisseleff,
Count Alexis Stroganoff, M. de Benkhausen, and a select
circle, joined the party. Covers were laid for twenty-four.
In the latter part of the evening his Imperial Highness and
the Prince of the Netherlands witnessed the performance 4
at her Majesty's Theatre.
Despatches were forwarded yesterday, from the
India Board, for Lord Auckland, the Governor-General of
India, and for the officers administering her Majesty's
Government at the Presidencies of Madras and Bombay,
and from the Colonial Department, for Sir John Colborne,
he Governor of the Canadas.

The venerable Earl.. of Mount Edgecumbe ar-
rived at Mivart's Hotel, yesterday, from his seat in Su rrel•

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