The Sun.
London, England, 1854-03-22 00:00:00

ROYAL ITALIAN OPZRA..—Covent Garden.
—.Season 1854.—The Directors beg leave most r,.spectiolly
to inform the Nobility, Gentry, Subscribers, and the Public, that the
Season Commeace on TIMRSD Y, March 2.01 h, 1814, being a
Subscription night, in lieu, of Tuesday, March 2.8.
The Directors have the honour to present the Prospectus of the
Zlifilth Season of the Royal Italian Opera, and trust it will be consi-
dered by their Subscribers to be an evidence of their continued effort
to carry out the originil design cf this great Lyrical Estanlishment.
The prospects of the forthcoming Season are of unusual interest,
and the Directors feel assured that the Subscribers and the Public
will share with themselves the feelings of eratification at the arrange-
znents which they have succeeded in making. It will be seen that
that great artiste, Madame Viardot, after an absence of three years,
Will return once more to shed lustre on the representations of the
Theatre. Mademoiselle Sophie Cruvel i, whose eminent talents are
dreads so highly esteemed in this country, will appear tor the first
time at the Royal Italian Opera. Signor Lablache will also, tor the
Bret time, lend his powerful aid in supporting the efforts of the
Directors, and will enable them to produce many of the most popular
Works with a most attractive c iste of characters. In addition, Made-
moiselle Maral, a young Artiste of r. seat promise, who has already
made very successful debuts both sit Saint Petersburg and Vienna,
will appear for the first time in England ; also Signor Swirl', for
the first time at the Royal Italian opera.
Madlle. Bosio, who, during the past winter has acquired fresh
laurels in the French capital; continues her engagement. Those un-
rivalled Artistes, Signor Mario, 14ignor Roncon,, and Signor Tam-
berlik, together with Signori Tagliatico, Polonini, Lnehesi, Stigelii,
&c., who have so long assisted to maintain the reputation of Covent
Garden, have been re-engaged, while the Directors still have the
advantage of the invaluable services of Signor Costa.
The above assemblage of the most eminent Artistes in Europe
will render the Caste or Characters in the Operas Le Nozze di Figaro,
Don Giovanni, I Puritani, Fidelio, Il alatrimenio Segeete, quite un-
preced _nted.
The forthcoming season, however, brings with it one subject of re-
gret, viz., the retirement trod' the lyric stage of a lady who for many
years has been one of its brightest o-..naments.
Towards the end of July Madame Giulia. Grisl will make her last
appearance before an English audience.
It has probably never before fallen to the lot of any candidate for
public favour to sustain, fir 21 successive seasons, the highest and
most ardour characters of the Lyric Drama, and 'nest certainly never
with such unanimous commendations as have been unceasingly be-
Stowed on Madame Grisi.
The Directors are convinced that not only will the Subscribers of
the Royal Italian Opera, as well as the musical amateurs of the me-
tropolis, participate in their sentiments on this occasion ; but they
feel sure that the retirement of Madame Grist will cause one general
feeling of deep regret in the minds of all those who take any interest
in the musical affairs or this country.
It is the wish of Madame Grist, during this her last engagement, to
repeat those Impersonations in which it has heal her good fortute to
obtain her greatest successes, and it will accordingly be the care of
the directors to contribute every possibre eclat to these performances,
relying with the greatest confidence that the subscribers, the patrons
of the opera, and the public, will on these occasions still extend to
their long-favoured Artiste the cheering influence of tneir countenance
and suppert.
The Repertoire of the Royal Italian Opera now comprises FORTY-
TWO OPERAS, the whole
being complete with Costumes, Scenery,
and Decorations.

During the Season, of the following Operas, Three will positively be

PrChIUCCd

. _
LA VE5LALE........... Spontini.
(As lately Performed at the Academie Royale, at Paris), the principal

part by 3laclemoiselle SOPHIE CRUVELLI.
LE DOMINO NOIR . ................ Auber.
DON
...... . ... Donizettl.
MATILDA DI SIIABRAN •• •• •• " " Rmini*
DON PASQUALE ...................... Donizetti.
OBERON . Weber.
The Engagements for the present Season are

SOP RANI.
Madame GRIST,
(Being most positively her last Engagement in England.)
Madame VIARDOT,
(Her First Appearance these Three Years.)
Mademoiselle ALARM,
(From the Imperial Theatres of St. Petersburg and Vienna, her
First Appearance in England.)
Mademoiselle ALBI N I.
Mademoiselle ANGELINA BOSIO,
and
Mademoiselle SOPHIE CRUVELLI,
(Her First Appearance at the Royal Italian Opera.)
CONTR kLTO.
Mademoiselle NAN ma DIDIER.
sECONDE DONNE.
Mademoiselle COTTI,
and
Mademoiselle BELLINI.
TENORI.
Signor MARIO.
Signor STIGELLI,
Signor SOLDI,
Signor LUGI MEI,
Signor LUCHESI,
and
Signor TAMBERLIK.
BASSI BARITONI.
Signor RONCONI,
and
Signor FORTONI,
(His First Appearance at the Royal Italian Opera )
BASSO PROFONDI.
Signor LABLACIIE,
(Ills First Appearance at the Royal Italian Opera.)
Signor TAGLIAFICO,
Signor GREGORIO,
Signor POLONINI.
Monsieur ZELGER,
and
Signor SCSINI.
(His First Appearance at the Royal Italian Opera.)
The Orchestra and Chorus will be on the same scale of efficiency
as heretofore.
DIRECTOR OF THE MUSIC, COMPOSER AND CONDUCTOR,
Mr. COSTA.
The Military Band will be under the superintence of
Mr. GODFREY.

Maestro al Piano ...• • • . •••• • • • • .... Signor PANIZZ A.
Chorus Master •••••• • • •• . ..... • • Mr. SMITHSON.
Prompter •• . ••••..••• • • .. - • • .. Signor AIONTERASI.
Poet ••..•• • • • .
ENGAGEMENTS FOR THE BALLET.
Mademoiselle BATTALINI,
Mademoiselle A STORI,7
Mademoiselle ELIZA. NEHR,
(Their First Appearances in England,)
Mademoiselle S ANTI,
Mademoiselle ESPER,
and
Mademoiselle PLUN.I. CETT.
Maitre de Ballet ................Mons. Desolaces.
Leader of the Ballet . •
Director of the Mise.en-Scene Mr. A. Harris.
Scenic Artist • • .. • Mr. William Beverley.
Costumiere Madame Marzio.
Decorator Mr. Prescott.
Machinist ....... •••• • . • .. Mr. Allen.
The Box Office is open from 11 to 5 o'clock.
Royal Italian Opera, Covent Garden,
March, 1854.

THEATRE ROYAL DRURY LANE.-
Air. E. T. SMITH, Lessee, has the honour to announce that
he has placed the above-named Nati, nal Establishment at the ser-
vice of the FUND in AID of the FAMILIES of the EXPEDITION-
ARY ARMY. In pursuance of this desirable object, a FANCY
FAIR will be held on the 13th and lath of April, ut.der the follow-
ing Royal and distinguished patronage:—
Her i?oyal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge
Her Royal Hi‘liness the Duchess of Kent
Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Glocester
Her Royal Highness the Princess Mary of Cambridge
The Right Hon. the Lady Mayoress
Her Grace the Duchess of Hamiton
Her Grace the Ductless of Beaufort
Her Grace the Duchess of Montrose
Her Gra a toe Duci.ess of Inverness
Her Grace the Duchess or s‘imerset
Her Grace the Duchess of Richmond
The Most Noble the :Marchioness of Londonderry
The Most Noble the Marchioness of Rl indf .rd
Tne Most Noble the Marchioness of A.yles.itiry
The Right MI. the Countess of i;hetirerfield
The Right Hon. the Countess of Kinnoul
The RI ht Hon. tie Countess of Glengall
The Right Hon. the Countess of ittesborough
The Right Hon. the Counte.s of Der-,y
Th Right Hon. the Countess of Shelburne
The Right Hon. V.e Outlines-, of Wilto
The ,Ight Hon. the Cennitess of r)esart
The Ri.fht Hon. the .'onntess of De.tourtnw.ire
The Right Him. the Viscountess l'iilme...ston
The Right Hon. the Vhcount.,ss Maidstone
The Right Hon. the Viscountess Newport
Lady So: hla Des-Vcews
Lady Colville
Lady Raglan
The Hon. Miss Anson
Mrs. Disraeli
airs. J. Stanley.

Every appointment and appearance of the Theatre will be called
Into requisition on this important an i interesting oc,casiou ; decora-
tions are preparing. The pit will be covered for promenade, and an
efficient band provided f)r the execution of choice and new ori4inal
music. Ladles desirous of aiding by their presence this benevolent
demonstration are respectfully reminded that they should make early
application for stalls. A book is now open in the lobby of the grand
entrance to receive contributions in the shape of articles intended for
sale on the occasion.

THEATRE ROYAL DRURY LANE.
Lessee, Mr. E. T. Smith.
Last Week of Mr.' G. V. BROOKE'S Engagement previous to his
;sailing for California and Australia.
THIS EVENING, 3fsiten 22,
Will be performed LEONIE. Principal characters by Mr. Elliot
Older and Mr. Henri Draytin ; Misses Lowe and Featherstone.
After which, a Grand BALLET DIVERTISSEMENT.
To be followed by the new Farce, called MY CO:a AND HOUSE-
KEEPER. Principal characters by Messrs. Younge and Belton ;
and Miss Featherstone.

THEATRE ROYAL HAY MARKET.
Under tho management of Mr. Buckstone.

THIS EVENING, Macs 22,
Will be performed GUY MANNERING. Supported by Messrs.
fith, Albyn, W. Farren, Compton, Rogers, Howe, Clark, Corri, and
finllenford; Miss Cushman (as Meg Merrilies), Miss Jolla Harland,
*nd Mrs. L. IL Buckingham.
After which, WLLLIKIND AND HYS DINAH. Supported by
Ifessrs. Buckstone and Corri ; Miss Louisa Howard, Mrs. Fitzwil-
Ram, and Mrs. Caulfield.
...41ter which, the opening Scenes of the PANTOMIMF., called
nARLEQUIN AND THE THREE BEARS; or, Little Silverhair
and the Fairies.