The Sun.
London, England, 1854-04-19 00:00:00

IS THERE TREASON IN THE CAMP

The soldiers of England would go to the war,
But some folks at home keep them back from the
Czar.

ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA.

Rossini's opera, Matilda di Shabran, one of the revi-
vals promised by the management in the present season,
was brought out here last night. This opera was com-
posed for the carnival at Rome, in 1821, and the opinion
then formed of it, according to a biographer of Rossini,
was, that " the libretto was execrable, and the music
charming"—a verdict which we are inclined to think
will be confirmed, after the lapse of thirty years. Shortly
after its production at Rome, it was given at the Italian
Opera in the Haymarket, but made very little impres-
sion, and subsequent revivals have not been more suc-
cessful, though on one occasion the renowned Persiani,
when.in,tliut height of her, popularity, selected it for her
benefit. Matilda di Shabran possesses little dra-
matic interest, its chief merit consisting in its gay
and sparkling music, which last night was bril-j
liantiy executed. The principal character (Corra-
dino) is a most inexplicable hero. The owner of a
Gothic castle, situated wherever the imagination of the
audience may decide, has a hatred for women, and j
is regarded as a ruthless tyrant by his neighbours.
Nevertheless, Matilda, daughter of the "illustre
Shabran," who, dying on the field of battle, recom-
mends his child to Corradino's care, resolves to gain
his affections, falls in love with him herself, and
ultimately succeeds in riveting the woman-hater to her
chains. Meanwhile a Contessa d'Arco, to whom Corra-
dino had been pledged, and whom it appears he had jilted,
is infuriated with. jealousy at the triumph of Matilda,
and vows to effect' her ruin. Edoardo, the son of
Corradino's greatest enemy, is a prisoner in his castle;
and, to further her designs, the Contessa procures the
liberation of the captive, making it appear that his
flight has- been contrived by Matilda. Corradino, in an
explosion of rage, condemns Matilda to death, and in-
trusts the execution of his will to Isidoro, a wandering
poet, whom he has taken under his protection. Isi-
doro, however, having a tender heart, allows Matilda
to escape, and, Edoardo himself becoming the means
of enlightening Corradino as to the fact of who is
really the guilty party, the latter relents ; his de-
spair at the supposed death of Matilda is turned into joy
on finding that she is still alive, and, a reunion taking
place, the delight of the lovers reaches its culminating
point in a brilliant rondo finale for the heroine. The
puerility of this story could hardly suggest music of any
real worth, but there are nevertheless some concerted pieces
which have great merit, betraying, as they do, the variety
of Rossini and the delicate taste of his orchestration.
The performance last night was on the whole highly effi-
cient and, interesting. Mdlle. Bosio has never appeared
to greater advantage than in the part of Matilda. She
is a perfect mistress of the Italian school of florid vo-
calization, and in most instances her singing was admi-
rable, in some parts magnificent. Millie. blarai, who re-
presented Edoardo, made another step in public favour.
The tenor part of Corradino is one of extraordinary
difficulty; and whatever may .be said of the voice of
Signor Lucchesi, which is defective in many respects,
those who are acquainted with the peculiarities of the
school to which this music belongs must in justice
accord him unqualified praise for the masterly ease
with which he executed it from first to last. Signor
Roncoui, as the poor poet, was irresistible. His was
a " wandering minstrel" very different from Mr.
Robson's, but quite as rich and graphic in its way.
In his first air, a kind of spurious edition of " Largo
al factotum," the whole character of the charlatan
was developed with wonderful humour. Isidore is
a capital example of the real buffo of the old
Italian carnival—a kind of mountebank of whom modern
opera knows little or nothing, but so droll, so fantastic,
original and amusing, that, while such a representation
of the genus exists as Signor Ronconi, it would be in-
deed a pity to lose him altogether. Signor Ronconi's
singing was "quite as .good as his acting ; it was the
essence of the buffo parlance style—more declamatory
than --meal -yet never, so much so as to deprive the
music of its effect. The part of the Contessa which
is rather insignificant, was allotted' to Made-
moiselle Albini,, and that of Aliprando, (Corradino's
physician and confidant), though hardly worthy of the
talent of Signor Tagliafico, was represented by that con-
scientious artist with a care and finish which give it real
importance. The music of the opera made a decided
impression. The singing of Mdlle. Bosio was unanimously
applauded ; more than one of the conceited pieces made
a furore, and especially the septet in the finale to
Act 1., which was encored, and Signor Ronconi, when-
ever he was on the stage, kept the audience in a roar
of laughter. At the conclusion, Mdlle. Bosio, Mdlle.
Marai, Signors 'Lucchesi, Ronconi, and Tagliafico, were
recalled before the curtain._ Too much praise can scarcely
be given to Mr. A. Harris, for the great ability apparent
in the arrangement of the raise en scene of the opera.
The pretty ballet of Fleurette followed, in which Mdlle.
Quineux made a successful debut. The assistance the
debutante received from the talented corps de ballet—one
of the best, if not the best, that has appeared at this
theatre—was to her of immense importance. The group-
ing, scenery, and decorations were exceedingly beautiful,
and here again was the master hand of Mr. Harris visi-
ble. The house was well filled.

Lady and the Misses Graham leave the Admiralty
to-day for Netherby.
Lord and Lady Seaton and the Hon. Miss Colborne
have leftSarrance'a Hotel, for Deer Park, Devon.
Lord and Lady Monteagle have left their residence in
Park-street,.oa a visit to the Lady Marian Alford, at
Ashridge Park, Herts.
The first new character in which Mdlle. Rachel will
appear in Paris is that of Medee, in a tragedy of that
name, by M. Legouv4, which is highly spoken of by
connoisseurs.

WINDFALL TO THE PRINCE OF WALES.—Mr.
ford, the rich merchant, who long resided in the
Regent's-parki died on the 9th of April, and has left his
large fortune tr. the Prince of Wales.
LETTERS FOR THE ARCTIC SHlPS.—Letters for
officers, seamen, and marines serving in the under-
mentioned ships will be in time to be forwarded if sent
to the Admiralty on or before the 26th of this month :
for Majesty's ships Assistance, Resolute, Intrepid,
oneer, North Star, Enterprise, and Investigator.
Loss OF LIFE ON THE RlVER.—Yesterday the body
of a man unknown was found in the Thames, at Shad-
well. The deceased was removed to Shadwell dead-
house to be owned, and for an inquest. A fine young
man, named David Watson, fell overboard from the
schooner Clunie, near the London-dock buoy, and be-
fore the boats that put off to his rescue could reach him,
he sank, and was drowned. The body was not re-
covered.

ACCIDENT TO AN EMIGRANT • SHIP.--PLYMOUTH,
TUESDAY EVENING. The Government emigrant-ship
Maria Hay, Captain Brown, 1,007 tons, which left
Southampton on Monday morning, with a full general
cargo and 401 passeng,ers, came in contact at 9 o'clock
in the evening with a strange steamer (probably the
Harbinger), which carried away her bowsprit close to
the stem. She entered the Sound this evening at six
o'clock, and to-morrow (Wednesday) morning will be
towed up to Catwater. Her repairs will occupy several
days. The stranger gasa large and powerful ship/
probably mail .paelset bound to Southampton.
• h. .