The Sun.
London, England, 1839-05-03 00:00:00

THEATRES

COVENT-GARDEN.
The management of this theatre has again been in-
strumental in the production of a native opera ; and
poor as this country has hitherto been in musical com-
posers, we rejoice to see proofs afforded that the
cause is not in incapacity, but an absence of na-
tional encouragement. The author of Amilie, which
had so splendid a " run" here last season,
has been incited by the glorious success of that, his
first effort at operatic composition, to venture another,
which promises to be equally successful—though, as
to the comparative merits of the two, we think opi-
nion will be divided. The opera is entitled Hcnrique ;
or, Me Love Pilgrim—the " Pilgrim" being a
King of Arragon, who falls in love with the
daughter of an exiled Minister of Juan, Mo-
narch of Castile, and in disguise seeks her affec-
tions. The story is founded on the various perils
which he thereby encounters, and on the disco-
very which is thereby made of the treachery through
which the exile has been ruined by a Grandee,
who is willing to betray his country to the Moors ;
the conclusion being that the design is counteracted,
and that the King of Arragon weds the daughter of
the now restored Minister. The plot is rather intri-
cate, and the opera wants that dramatic interest which
is essential to give it great attraction—besides which, in
length it is dangerously tedious at times, and impera-
tively requires the improvement of curtailment,
But it is the music, of course, which is the main point.
And we must at once say that we think Rooke suc-
ceeds best in expressiag the more homely, simple,
natural, domestic, feelings and sentiments, than the
romantic and chivalrous associations which bang
around ancient Spanish legends. Our composers, such
of them as do aspire at originality—and Rooke
is one—should draw boldly on the resources which they
will find in genuine English character, and endeavour to
form a kindred school of music. Let not this observa-
tion, however, be taken as intimating a bad opinion, or
even of " weak praise," respecting the new opera ; on
the contrary, as a whole, as an English composition—
though we need hardly say how deficient in that soul-
stirring expression, so noble and refined, which charac-
terizes the Italian masters—it was deserving of the
highest commendation ; and throughout there abounded
passages of melody as fine, and often as touching as ever
were framed by English composers. Rooke was fortunate
in having the aid of a youngsinger, who made last night his
debut, and appears likely to be one of the greatest acqui-
sitions the musical stage has received for a long while.
His voice is a delightful tenor, beautifully flexible and
clear in its intonations, and possessing an exquisite
softness, which is very rarely equalled. He has that
that, too, which our English singers sadly want
in general—and that is, feeling, taste, expression. His
first duet with Miss Rainforth (who sung admirably,
but perhaps with hardly spirit enough), was cha-
racterized by these qualities to such a degree, and the
music was of so gentle and pathetic a nature,
that an enthusiastic encore teressettlits close ; and
various were the charming airs in which sioger and
composer gained a similar honour. Besides- this he
displayed, in that difficult test of vocal power, the reci-
tative, an ability, an energy, which was most striking.
Miss Horton sang very prettily and H. Phillips splen-
didly. Thus act after act went on with still increasing
applause ; till at the fall of the curtain, the house rose
en masse, and tremendous cheering compelled not only
the debutant, but the composer, Miss Rainsforth and
Phillips successively to appear, and receive trium-
phant gratulations. Phillips, by the bye, had a cold,
on account of which he excused himself.