The Sun.
London, England, 1862-07-28 00:00:00

THEATRE

I cannot allow the opera season of 1862 to terminate
without tendering you my heartfelt thanks for the kind
support and liberal patronage you have accorded me during
this my first season of directorship at her Majesty's Theatre.
It would be in vain to deny that during the past season a
few shortcomings may be laid to my charge; but when the
magnitude of the undertaking, on which I entered at a very
short notice, is taken into consideration—two weeks only
having been allowed me for preparation—l trust they will
be deemed unimportant.

The chorus, during the early part of the season, was not,
on some occasions, all that could be wished, but I was corn •
palled to organise a new one, many of the members being
entirely unacquainted with each other. By next season I
shall be prepared with a chorus which I trust will be worthy
of your approval.

1 feel I may with pride draw your attention to the
orchestra, which includes some of the most accomplished
executants in Europe. In this respect I venture to claim
your approval, and to point to the unanimous opinions of
musical critics on its merits. I may also be permitted to
hope for your approval of the varied repertoire which 1
have been enabled to present to you. I do not dwell on
Signor Verdi's new Cantata, or MeyerLeer's chef d'oeuvre
" Robert le Diable," given with the greatest completeness
and effect, but I beg respectfully to point to the thirteen
different operas which have been brought out during the
first season of my management, and to the very al le
manner in which they have been supported. Such artistes
as Signora Giuglini, Vialetti, Gassier, Santley, Zucchini,
&c.; Mesdames Trebelli, Louisa Pyne, the Sisters Mar-
chisio, and Tietjens (incomparab y the greatest artiste on
the European lyric stage), together with Arditi, need no
eulogy from me. I content myself with drawing your at-
ention to the fact that the first representations of nearly
all these operas were given on subscription nights, and were
not reserved as attractions for extra performances, which in
many instances is now the practice,

It Is my intention, during the next six months, to make
myself acquainted i.ersonally with any talent that exists
abroad, in order that I may be ahe, next season, to t lace
before you a galaxy of talent unrivalled in London, sup-
ported by an orchestra and chorus complete in every parti-
cular. In the production of operatic spectacle I shall be
greatly assisted by some very extensive alterations that are
to be made in the theatre, which will render the stage more
capacious, and the task of producing each opera with com-
pleteness more easy of accomplishment.
I hope you will not deem me presumptuous in troubling
you with this short resume of what I have done, and what
I intend doing.

The position of director of so great an establishment as
her Majesty's Theatre is one which, while surrounded with
risks and troubles, is not unaccompanied with pleasures—
I may say honours; in both the latter I shall have largely
shared, if I have succeeded in gaining your approbation for
the past, and your good wishes and patronage for the future.

J. it MAPLESON.

At the close of the opera the National Anthem
was sung. A supplementary season of eight nights
is announced, at reduced prices of admission, to begin
to-morrow, Tuesday.