The Sun.
London, England, 1854-03-25 00:00:00

ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA.—Covent Garden.
—Season 1854.—The Directors beg leave most respectfully
to inform the Nobility, Gentry, Subscribers, and the Public, that the
"SS= will commence on THIIRSD XV, March 30th, 1854, being a
Subscription night, In lieu of Tuesday, March 28.
The Directors have the honour to present the Prospectus of the
2,lghth Seam of the Royal Italian Opera, and trust it will be consi-
dered by their Subscribers to be an evidence of their continued efforts
in 007 OUt the original design of this great Lyrical Establishment.
The prospects of the, forthcoming Season are of unusual interest,
and the, btrecters feel assured that the Subscribers and the Public
will share with themselves the feelings ofgratification at the arrange-
matte 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 Cruvelli, whose eminent talents are
already so highly esteemed in this country, will appear for the first
time at the Royal Italian Opera. Signor Lablache will also, for the
lint 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 safest attractive caste of characters. In addition, Made-
moiselle Masai, a young Artiste of great promise, who has already
made very successful debuts both at Saint Petersburg and Vienna,
will appear for the first time in England ; also Signor Susini, for
the first time at the Royal Italian Opera.
Madlle. Bodo, who, during the past winter has acquired fresh
laurels in the French capital, continues her engagement. Those un-
rivalled Artistes, Signor Mario, Signer Ronconi, and Signor Tam-
berlik, together with Signori Tagliafico, Polonini, Luchesi, Stigelll,
Re., 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 of Characters in the Operas Le Nozze di Figaro,
Don Giovanni, I Puritani, Fidello, n Matrimonio Segreto, quite un-
precedented.
The forthcoming season, however, brings with it one subject of re-
gret, viz., the retirement from the lyric stage of a lady who for many
years has been one of its brightest ornaments.
Towards the end of July Madame Giulia Grist 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, for 21 successive seasons, the highest and
most ardous characters of the Lyric Drama, and most certainly never
with such unanimous commendations as have been unceasingly be-
stowed on Madame Grist.
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 masical affairs of this country.
It is the wish of Madame Grisi, during this her laq engagement, to
repeat those impersonations in which it has be- n her good fortui,e to
obtain her greatest successes, and it will accordingly be the care of
the directors to contribute every possible eclat to these performances,
relying with the greaest confidence that the subscribers, the patrons
of the opera, and the public, will on these occasions still extend to
their long-tavoured Artiste the cheering influence of tneir countenance
and support.
The Repertoire of the Royal Italian Opera sow comprises FORTY-
TWO OPERAS, the whole being complete with Costumes, Scenery,
and Decorations.
During the Season, of the following Operas, Three will positively be
produced :

VESLALFLA ..... .............. . Spontinl. ,
(As lately performed at the Academie Royale, at Paris), the principal

part by Mademoiselle SOPHIE ;RUVELLI.
LE DOMINO NOIR . ................ Auber.
DON SEBASTIAN.. ................•• Dmrzetti.
MATILDA DI SHABRAN" ...• .• •• •• •• Rossini.
DON PASQUA.LE .
OBERON
The Engagements for the present Season are :

SOPRANI.
Madame
(Being most positively her last Engagement in England.)
Madame VIAR oOT,
(Her First Appearance these Three Years.)
31Ackrnoiselle MARA,.

(From the Imperial Theatres of St retersbirg and Vienna, her
First appearance in England )
Mademoiselle ALI3[NI
Mademoiselle GELINA 110510,
and
Mademoiselle SOPHIE CRUVELLT,
(Her First Appearance at the Royal Italian Opera.)
CONTR. -ILT3.
Mademoiselle N.ii VIER DIDIER.
SECONDE DO NN
Mademoiselle COTT I, -4
and
Mademoiselle ,FIELLINE.
TENOR'.
`,lgrior MARIO.
Signor STIGEL
signor SOLDE,
Signor LUGI mEr,
Signor LUG HES!,
ani
Fignor TAMBER7.IIi..
BAS•tI BARITONE.
Signor RONCON I,
and
Signor TORTONI,
(His First Appearance at the Royal Italian Opera )
BASSO PRoFivspr.
Signor L ABL
(His First Appearance at the Miyal Italian Opera )
Signor TA GLIAFICO,
Signor GREGORIO,
Signor POLONINE.
Monsieur ZELGER,
and

Signor
(His First Appearance at the Royal Italian Opera.)

The Orchestra and Chorus will be on ;he same scale of efficiency
as heretofore.
DIRECTOR OF THE MUSIC, COMPOSER AND CONDUCTOR,
Mr. COST A .
The Military Band will he under the superintence of
Mr. (')DFREY.

Maestro al Piano .......... • • • • ••Signor PANIZZ t.
Chorus Master . ...... •• • •• • Mr. SMINISON•
Prompter ••••••• • • • • • • • • • •• . • -•• .. S•gnor AIONTERAiI,
Poet. •.. • • •••• • • • • .•• • • ...... • ... Aignor MAGUIONI.
ENGAGEMENT; FOE TETE BALLET.
Mademoiselle BATTALINI,
Mademoiselle A STOB
3lademoisede ELIZ t YEAR,
(Their First appearances in England,)
Mademoisellz SANTE,
Mademoiselle ESTER,
and
Mademoiselle PLUNKErr.
Maitre d e Ballet .......... ••• • .. Mons. Desolazes.
Leader of the Ballet .. • ...... Mr. Alfred Mellon.
Director of the Mise•en-Scene .... Mr. A. Barris.
Scenic Artist .......... ..... Mr. William Beverley.
Costumiers •• •• ................ Madame Marzio.
Decorator .• • • ..... Mr. Prescott.
Machinist . ..... ................. Mr. Allen.
The Box Office is open fl•om 11 to 5 o'clock.
Royal Italian Opera, Covent Garden,
March, 1854.

THEATRE ROYAL DRURY LANE.-
Mr. E. T. SMIfiI, 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
FUR will he held on tie 13th and 1 ith of April, under the follow-
ing Royal and distinguished patronage :
Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge
Her Royal Highness 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 Flam,lton
Her Grace the Duchess of Beaufort
Her Grace the Duchess of Montrose
Her Grace the Duchess of Inverness
Her Grace the Duchess of Somerset
Her Grace the Dttelless of Richmond
The Meat Noble the Marchioness of Londonderry
The Most Noble the Marchioness of Blandford
Tne Most Noble the Marchioness of Aylesbury
The Right lion. the Countess of Chestsrfleld
The Right Hon. the Countess of Kinnoul
The Right lion, the Countess of Glengall
The Right Hon. the Countess of Beasborough
The Right Hon. the Countess of Derby
The Right lion. the Countess of Shelburne
The Right Hon. the Countess of Wilton
The Right Hon. the Countess of Desert
The Right Hon. the Countess of Denoughmore
The Right Hon. the Viscountess Palmerston
The Right Hon. the Viscountess Maidstone
The Right Hon. the Viscountess Newport
Lady Sophia Des-Vceux
Lady Colville
Lady Raglan
The Hon. Miss Anson
Mrs. Disraeli
Mrs. J. Stanley.

Every appointment and appearance of the Theatre will be called
into requisition on this important and interesting occasion ; decora-
tions are preparing. The pit wi'l be covered for promenade, and an
efficient band provided fl the execution of choice and new origins!
music. Ladies desirous of ading by thejr presence this benevolent
demonstration are respectfally reminded that they should make early
application for stalls. A hook is now op.n in the lobby of the grand
entrance to receive contributions in the shape of articles intended for
bale on the occasion.

THEATRE rt)TAL DRURY LANE

Lessee, Mr. E. T. Smith.

List Week of Mr. G. V. BROOKE'S Engagement previous to his
sailing for California and Australia.

THIS EVENING, MARCH 25,
Will he performed the Tragedy of HAMLET. Characters by
Mr. G. V. Brooke, T. Mead, and G. Bennett; Mrs Vickery, and
Miss Featherstone.

After which, a Grand BALLET DIVER PISSEMEN r.

THEATRE ROYAL HAYM iRKET.

Under the management of Mr. Backatone.

TEIIS EVENING, Mica 25,

Will be performed a new comic drama, called RANELAGH.
Cnaracters by Messrs. Vandenhoff, W. Farren, Buckstone, Tilbury,
and Rogers; Miss Reynolds, Mrs. Fitairilliatn, &c.

After which, WILLIKIND AND HYS DINAH. Supported by
Messrs. Buckstono and Corti ; Miss Louisa Howard, Mrs. Fitzwil-
Ilan, and Mrs. Caulfield.

HARLEQUIN
which, the opening Scenes of the PANTOMIME, called
'''ItLICQUIN AND THE THREE BEARS; or, Little Silverhair
and the Tables.