The Sun.
London, England, 1862-04-28 00:00:00

HER MA.TE62'I'S 7HE.4TR.E.

The long looked-for opening of her Majesty's Theatre took
place on Saturday last, and never has there assembled
within the walls of this, one of the most celebrated theatres
in the world, a more brilliant and fashionable audience.
The aspect of the theatre with its numerous tiers of boxes,
each containing a group of the beauties of England, was
perfectly enchanting, and if the opening night can be looked
ipon as any augury of success—in this instance we think
it can—then a brilliant and successful season will be the
result of Mr. Mapleson's bold enterprize.
With respect to the company engaged, the new lessee has
surrounded himself with artistes of the greatest eminence,
at the head of which stands Madlle. Titiens and Signor
Guiglini, and amongst whom is Signor Geraldoni, a new
baritone, who made a most favourable impression on
Saturday evening, as also did a Madlle. Doria (one of our
own fair countrywomen, we believe), who possesses a clear
and highly-cultivated soprano voice.
The opera chosen to inaugurate the season was Verdi's
latest and best, namely, "Un Ballo in Maschera," one, it
must be acknowledged by all present on Saturday evening,
admirably adapted to the art Estes at " Her Majesty's "
'1 he plot of the opera, of course, will be familiar to all
playgoers, operatic or dramatic, it being, in fact, the same
as that performed with so much success years ago at
Covent • garden and Drury-lane under the title of " Gus-
tavus HI., or the Masked Ball."
The reception given to Madlle. Titiens was one of those
hearty outbursts which an English audience knows so well
how to bestow on an established favourite; it was long,
loud, and enthusiastic, ten thou and times to be preferred
by a genuine artist to the fashionable bouquet-throwing
system now so much in vogue.
The Amelia of Mademoiselle Titiens in the opera is no
novelty to the London public. The, genuine hit she made
in it last year at the Lyceum is doubtless fresh in the recol-
lection of our :musical readers, and as
,her performance
was highly eulogised in our columns on that occasion,
more than the passing remark that it was as good as ever
will not be required. Her singing was superb, and her
acting magnificent. Signor Guiglini's exquisite singing of
the air "La rivedia nell' estasi " was one of the
most delicious bits of vocalisation ever beard. It
enchanted the audience, and of course had to be
repeated to quiet the enthusiastic applause it elicited.
Signor Geraldoni is an artiste of uncommon ability; he can-
not but be a most valuable acquisition to the English Italian
stage.

At the conclusion of the opera the National Anthem was
given with great effect—the solos being given by Madame
Titiens and Madame Lemaire.

The highest praise must be awarded to Signor Arditi and
his splendid band. He conducted it in a masterly manner,
and the special recognition he received, when he appeared
in the orchestra, was well deserved.

Her Majesty has intimated that it is her Royal
pleasure to bestow the vacant garters upon Lord Canning,
the Duke of Somerset, Lord Russell, Lord Shaftesbury,
and Lord Fitzwilliam.

The Crown Prince of Prussia will take up his
abode at Buckingham Palace, where a suit of rooms will
be prepared and placed at his disposal during his stay in
this country.—Court Circular.

His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, at-
tended by Sir Richard Airey and Colonel Forster, left the
Pavilion Hotel, at Folkestone, on Saturday, after a stay of
four days, while on a tour of military inspection in the
neighbourhood.

His Excellency the Marquis d'Azeglio has left
town for Turin, in consequence of the demise of the Mar-
ehesa d'Azeglio, the marquis's mother.
The Duke and Duchess of Argyll will arrive to-
Jay at their villa at Caropden-hill, from visiting the Duahess
(Dowager) of Sutherland, at Cliefden, near Maidenhead.

The Duke of Devonshire and Lady Louisa
Cavendish are expected at Devonshire House to-morrow,
from Lismore Castle, near Waterford.

The Duke of Rutland arrived at his residence, in
Cromwell••road, on Saturday, from Belvoir Castle.
The Duke of Newcastle will arrive in town to•
day, from Clumber Park, where his grace has been passing
the holidays.

The Marquis and Marchioness of Bath have
arrived at their residence, in the Stable-yard, from Long-
leat, for the season.

The Marquis and Marchioness of Drogheda are
expected in town in a few days, from Ireland, for the season.

The Earl and Countess Grey arrived in Paris on
Thursday last, from Nice, and are expected to reach London
to-morrow.

The Earl and Countess of Fife come to town
to-day, from Buckingham, where they have been passing
the holidays.
The Earl and Countess of Devon have arrived at
their residence in Berkeley-street from Powderham Castle.

The Earl and Countess Stanhope came to town
to. day from Chevening Park, Sevenoaks.
Viscount Castlerosse bas returned to town from
his seat at Killarney, where his lordship has passed the
Easter recess.

Viscount Hood and Captain Malet arrived in
town a few days ago from Canada, the former on leave of
absence, and the latter officer from impaired health.
Lord Brougham has arrived in Paris from
Cannes, The noble and learned lord is expected to arrive
in London on Friday or Saturday next.

Lord and Lady Chelmsford will arrive at their
residence in Eaton-square to-•day from Paris.
Lidy Egerton of Tat ton hes issued cards for an
assembly en Wednesday, the 6th of May, at her residence
in St, James's-square.

Baron and Baroness Meyer de Rothschild come
to town to-day from Mentmore.

Sir Robert and Lady Emily Peel are expected at
their residence in Whitehall-gardens this evening, from
their chateau on the Lake of Geneve, where they have been
spending the holidays.

Sir George Cornewall Lewis, M.P., comes to
town to-day, from visiting the Eti and Countess of Claren-
don, at the Grove, near Watford.
Mr. and Lady Isabela Schuster and family
passed through town yesterday en route fox Chalfont Park,
Bucks.

The reception of the Japanese Ambassadors at
Court is of course exciting a great deal of curiosity and in-
terest ; but at present it is not known whether her Majesty
will receive the Envoys previously ts‘ her departure for the
North, or after her return from Balmoral.— -Court Circular.

THE NEW CHANCELLOR OF CAMBRIDGE.—The
installation of the Duke of Devonshire as High Steward of
the borough of Cambridge is to take place on the 7th of
May. A meeting of the town council is to be held early in
the day, and the Mayor will afterwards give a dejeuner
dinatoire Advantage is to be taken of the occasion to in•
augurate new public rooms which have been for some time
in course of erection in the town ; and in the evening there
will be a public soiree at the School of Art, at which the
Duke of Devonshire will distribute medals and prizes to the
most deserving students. The Luke will also during his
stay at Cambridge distribute the prizes and certificates
awarded to the successful candidates at the Non-gremial
Examination held in December. On Tuesday, the 10th of
June, the installation of his Grace as Chancellor of the
University of Cambridge will take place in the Senate-
house, when an ode written by Professor Kingsley and set
to music by Professor Sterndale Bennett will be performed.
Various other proceedings will also take place on this inte-
resting occasion, a public breakfast being spoken of inter•
falai