The Sun.
London, England, 1863-04-08 00:00:00

ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA.

COZvIMENCEM ENT OF THE SEASON.

The increase of a musical taste in Europe within
the last fifty years is one of those striking social
phenomena which have not faired to arrest the
attention of discriminate observers. They hare
detected in such a fact a further and important
addition to those evidences of progress which in
recent times have done so much to affirm both
the capacity and future well-being of man. They
have seen that there was something special in the
testimony of such a fact. Music is the language of
emotion, and the vehicle, accordingly, of our coal-
mon sympathies and aspirations. Whilst litera-
ture and science appeal for the most part to the
intellect, and create diversities of opinion which
tend to.make men aggressive—music, the language
of our common feelings, tends rather to allay our
social discords and to oppose to the strifes of in-
quiry a loving and harmonising influence. Espe-
cially do we hold this to be the function of dramatic
music, which, being the expression of the more
vigorous passions and sympathies of man, is calcu-
lated in that degree to effect its purpose more pro-
foundly. An opera—which is simply a drama that
conveys its poetry in music, and intensifies its pas-
sion is order more rapidly and generally to awak n
human sympathy—must necessarily be the medium
of all others to act with advantage on society, owing
to the ease with which it is enjoyed and the mass
that it appeals to.

With these convictions, we attach no little value
to the history of our Lyric theatres, and more espe-
cially in England, where the hardening influence
of the realistic and utilitarian age in which we live
makes an amelioration such as we have described
an indispensable necessity. If, on this ground, we
have felt delighted at the recent extraordinary
growth of a musical feeling in this country, as evi-
denced in the rise of our numerous societies, vocal and
instrumental—even more have we been gratified by
the higher form which has been bestowed on the
lyric drama of our time, which has at length been
treated as an art, whose claims rest on the complete-
ness as well as force of its particulars, and whose
aim must be always twofold whenever rightly exer-
cised—that of affording the world at large a source
of study as well as enjoyment. How well the
Italian Opera, under Mr. Gye, has become entitled
to this eulogium, we can scarcely have
any occasion to assert at the present hour.
His entire career of management has so abundantly
displayed his aim of raising the Italian lyric drama
to the high position it demands, and which, previous
to his advent, had never been assigned it in this
country, that we have only to refer to the leading
facts of every season he has directed to relieve our-
selves from the necessity of any further affirmation.
Alike in the solid merit of the works which year
after year he has presented, and in the incomparable
talent with which they have been sustained—as well
as in the wonderful completeness of every element of
their production, his sense of what was due both to
the composer and the public has been manifested
to an extent which would be very hard t 3 over-
rate. Mr. Gye is, in fact, entitled to the praise of
a double good—that which he has achieved in his
own theatre, and that which for the future
he has rendered indispensable in every other.
He has established a precedent in respect to pro-
duction which has so developed public taste as to
become incumbent on every manager who may
he destined to succeed him. Having once witnessed
and appreciated the merits of his system, the public
will by no means be disposed to put up with its
suspension.
Coming now to his present season, which com-
menced last evening with a most brilliant and
delightful performance of" Massaniello," the last,
most vivid, and one of the most perfect of the great
revivals which have marked his theatre, we need
not dwell on the vista of enjoyment which is un-
folded by his programme. We may remark, in the
first place, the broad distinction which will separate
his aims and exertions from thole of Her
Majesty's Theatre. The presence of Madlle. Patti,
who returns to him with nothing less than a
European reputation—her great success in London
confirmed by the more exacting standards of Ber-
lin, Vienna, and even Paris—necessarily tends to
devote his efforts more to the presentment of
comic opera, in recognition of that young lady's
claims as a great lyric comedian. Whilst
tragic opera will, of course, be given, owing to the
abundant talent of the company, and more espe-
cially in connection with the numerous debutantes
that are announced ; the genius of Madlle.
Patti mnat necessarily be in the ascendant,
and especially when supported by that
of Signor Ronconi, wile fortunately returns to us
once more to assume his acknowledged place as
the most universal of lyric artists. However
failure of voice may have impaired his tragic
powers, and permitted us only to appreciate his
masterly conceptions, his wonderful humour and
sense of character still remain to present an offset
which we fancy the world at large will accept
against all shortcomings. When we remember
further that with Madlle. Patti and Signor
RoNconi will be associated two such singers
and comedians as Signor Mario and Mons.
Faure—especially in the production of "Don
Pasquale," which will be probably the finest it has
ever had in England—we may be well contented with
what must form the leading distinction of the sea-
son. In support of it we are also to have the re-
vival of two such attractions as the " Elisir
d'Amore," and the " Figlia de Reggimento," for
the heroines of which Madlle. Patti is so especially
and, we may add, wonderfully adapted, and in which
she will also have support of the great talent that is
beside her. In addition to all this, we must not omit
the other features that promise to make the season
so successful—the entire novelties we are pro-
mised, such as the last work of Verdi, the
" Forza del Destino"—and the " Stradella," com-
posed by Flotow, both of which have won
acontinental reputation, as well as the grand revival,
acccording to the custom of the house, in " l'Etoile du
Nord" of Meyerbeer, which was produced at the old
theatre some few years ago, and was only performed
some seven times when the calamitous fire occurred
which laid the house in ashes. The reproduction
of this work will complete the list of
masterpieces which Mr. Gye has given
us from the same composer—" The Huguenots,"
" The Prophet," " Robert the Devil," and
" Dinorah"—and make a further addition to his
claim on the respect and favour of the musical
public.

As respects the superb performance with which
the season commenced last night, we have only to
say that it was in every respect the fac smile
of that of its production, save in the case
of Mons. Naudin, who made his first apperance
in the character of Massaniello, and of Mon.+.
Faure, who replaeed Signor Graziani in
the character of Pietro. Mons. Naudin is
a singer of great energy and feeling—if his vocal
power is not sufficient to sustain his mental and
dramatic. He acted the patriot fisherman
with infinite spirit throughout, and sang
much of the music with great taste and
expression. He is obviously so much an artist
as to prove an addition to the company.
Mons. Faure was perhaps more successful in the
rugged and fiery Pietro—his great dra-
matic feeling standing him in excellent stead
in every scene—though we could not but
miss the incomparable voice of his precursor.
His barcarole in the last act and vigorous share
in the duet of the second were among the best fea-
tures of the night. Of the merits of the magnificent
chorus we can have no occasion to say a word, nor
of the band, under the direction of the unrivalled
Mr. G)sta ; and as little are we called upon to repeat
our praise of the nnse en scene, which renders this
revival cue of the most picturesque, as well as life-
like of all the achievement of the modern stage. The
house, we have only to add, was crowded to the
ceiling, and the satisfaction of the audience was
loudly expressed throughout.
Th

e announcement that the railway between Bou-
logne and Calais will be opened very soon will be hailed
with pleasure by those who have had to undergo that
tedious, dusty journey by carriage.

Mr. H. O'Neil, A R.A., is painting a picture of
the Royal Landing at Gravesend.
The Windham divorce case will come on for hear-
ing in May,

• ---_-W4Op !MI br

HER MAJESTY.

WINDSOR CASTLE, April 7.
The Queen, accompanied by their Royal High-
nesses Princess Helena, Prince Arthur, and Prin-
cess Beatrice, drove out in a carriage and four
yesterilay afternoon, attended by Colonel the Hon.
A. Hardinge.

The Queen, accompanied by her Royal Highness
the Princess Helena, drove in the grounds this

morning.

Their Royal Highnesses Prince Alfred and Prince
Louis of Hesse rode on horseback.

To-day is the anniversary of the birthday of his
Royal Highness Prince Leopold.

THE PRINCESS LOUIS OF HESSE.

The following bulletin of the health of the Prin-
cess Louis of Hesse was issued yesterday morning :

" WINDSOR CASTLE, April 7, 1863.

" Her Royal Highness the Princess Louis of
Hesse and the infant princess are going on most
favourably.

" CHARLES LOCOCK, M.D.
" ARTHUR FARRE, M.D."

Presentation of the Norwich Gates to the

Prince of Wales.

The "Norwich Gates," which have been sub-
scribed for by the county for presentation to the
Prince of Wales, were presented to his royal high-
ness yesterday at Sandringham Hail by a deputa-
tion from the subscribers, consisting of the Earl of
Leicester, Lord Lieutenant of the county, Mr. J.
Scott Chad, High Sheriff, and the Mayors of Nor-
Lynn, Yarmouth, and Thetford, who arrived
at Sandringham Hall at a quarter past one, and
were introduced to their Royal Highnesses the
Prince and Princess of Wales in the drawing-room.
There were present besides, General Knonys, Capt.
Grey, Mr. Fisher, the Hon. Mr. Bruce, and Dr.
Stanley. The High Sneriff read the county address
of congratulation, which the prince received, and
returned a suitable reply.
The High Sheriff then read the following ad-
dress :

" May it please your Royal Highness,—As sheriff
of the county of Norfolk, I have the distinguished
honour to offer for your royal highness's acceptance
the 4 Norwich Gates' on behalf of the inhabitants
of the county, the city, asd boroughs, i❑ the hope
that this specimen of the manufactures of our city
may be deemed worthy of being placed at the en-
trance of Sandringham Park. The names of all the
subscribers to the preservation fund will be printed,
and a copy of the list offered for the acceptance of
your royal highness, in order that your royal high-
ness may see that all classes of persons have been
anxious to join in this token of loyal feeling. I
gladly embrace this opportunity of assuring your
royal highness, in the name of my county, of the
joy with which we welcome your royal highness
and your illustrious consort as residents amongst
us, and beg to express the loyal and affectionate
senti nents which we one and all entertain towards
you." _

His ROYAL EITGHNESS replied as follows:
" Gentlemen,—lt is with the greatest gratification
that I receive your present. I need hardly say that
the circumstances under which it is offered are of a
nature to make a deep impression upon me. Con-
nected intimately as I am with Norfolk, I regard
with pride so beautiful a specimen of Norwich work-
manship and art, end this feeling adds to the plea-
sure I could not fail to experience in accepting any
offering made by a large body of persons belonging
to every class, but animated by a common feeling
of affectionate good-will towards myself and the
princess."

After this brief ceremony (which was conducted
in a private manner), the gentlemen of the deputa-
tion lunched at the Hall.

Captain Grey has succeeded Colonel Keppel as
Equerry in Waiting upon the Prince, and the Hon.
Mrs. F. Stonor has succeeded Lady Morton in at-
tendance on the Princess of Wales.

His Excellency the Prussian Ambassador and the
Countess Bernstorff left the Prussian Legation, on Monday
last, on a tour of visits during the Easter holidays.
The Duke and Duchess of Sutherland, and the
youthful Marquis of Stafford, arrived at Safford House,
St. James's, yesterday, from Naples, after an absence of
several months abroad. The duke and du3hess came in
their steam-yacht to Marseilles.

The Merquis and Marchioness of Exeter and
Lady Victoria Cecil intend to return home from Italy to-
wards the close of this or early next month.

The Earl of Wilton left Egerton Lodge, Melton
Mowbray, on Monday last, for Newarket,
Viscount and Viscountess Palmerston are enter-
taining a pasty of friends at Broadlands, Hants. The
noble viscount is expected to return to town either on
Saturday or Monday next.

The Right Hon. Sir Robert Peel, Bart., M.P.,
and Lady Emily Peel, are expected to leave Nice on Friday
or Saturday next, for Paris, on their way home for the
season.