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

LOYAL ITAL [AN OPERA.—Covent Garden.
—Season 1854.—The Directors beg leave most respectfully
to inform the Nobility, Gentry, Subscribers, and the Public, that the
Season will commence ou Tll CTRS') kV, March 3Jth, 1854, being a
Subscription night, in lieu of Tuesday, March 28.
The Directors have the honour to present the Prospectus of the
Eighth Season of the Royal Italian Opera, and trust it will be consi-
dered by their Subscribers to be an evidence of I heir continued efforts
to carry out the original design of this great Lyrical Establishment.
-The prospects of the forthcoming Season are of unusual interest,
and the Directors feel assured that the Subscribers and the Public
will hare with themselves the feelings of aratification at the arrange-
inehte which they have succeeded in making. It will be seen that
thit great artiste, Madame Viardot, after an absence of three years,
return once more to shod lustre on the representations of the
Thettre. Mademoiselle Sophie Cruveri, 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
first time, lend. his powerfitl aid In supporting the efforts of the
Directors, and will enable them to Produce many of the most popular
works with a most attractive caste of characters. In addition, Made-
moiselle Mara', 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. Bosio, who, during the past winter has acquired fresh
laurels in the French capital, continues her engagement. Those un-
rivalled Artistes, Signor Mario, Signor Ronconi, and Signor Tam-
berths, ,together with Signori Tagliafico, Polonini, Luchesi, Stigelli,
&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 moat eminent Artistes in Europe
will render the Caste of Characters in the Operas Le Nozze di Figaro,
Don Giovanni, I Puritan', Fidelio, Il 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
publics 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 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 of this country.
It is the wish of Madame Grisi, during this her last engagement, to
repeat those impersonations in which it has been her good fortune 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 thegreatest 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 their countenance
and support.
The Reperto're 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
produced :

LAVESLADE ••••••••••••. . • • • • • • • • • • Spontini•
(AS lately performed at the Academie Royale, at Paris), the principal
part by Mademoiselle SOPHIE CRUVEL LI.
LEDOMINO NOIR . •••......... „•• Auber.
DON S Donizettl.
mATILDA DI SRABRAN Rossini.
DON' PASQUALE ••••08ER0N•••••••........... Donizetti.
Weber.
The Engagements for the present Season are :

SOPRANI.
Madame GRIST,
(Being most positively her last Engagement in England.)
Madame VIARDOT,
(Her First Appearance these Three Years.)
!Mademoiselle MARAI,
(From the Imperial Theatres of St. Petersburg and Vienna, her
First Appearance in England.)
Mademoiselle ALBINI.
Mademoiselle ANGELINA BOSIO,
and
Mademoiselle SOPHIE CRUVELLI,
(Her First Appearance at the Royal Italian Opera.)
CONTRALTO.
Mademoiselle NANT[ER DIDIER.
SECONDE DONNE.
Mademoiselle COTTI,
and
Mademoiselle BELLINI.
TENOR'.
Signor MARIO.
Signor STIGELLI,
Signor SOLDI,
Signor LUGI MEI,
Signor LUCHEST,
and
Signor TAMBERLIIC.
BASSI BARITONI.
Signor RONCONI,
and
Signor FORTONT,
(His First Appearance at the Royal Italian Opera )
BASSO PROFOND I.
Signor LABL AC LIE,
(Hls First Appearance at the Royal Italian Opera.)
Signor TAGLIAFICO,
Signor GREGORIO,
Signor POLONINI.
Monsieur ZELGER,
• and
Signor ,ILTAINI.
(His First Appearance at the Royal Italian Opera.)
- _

The Orchestra and Chorus will be on the sane scale of efficiency
Is heretofore.
DIRECTOR OF THE MUSIC, COMPOSER AND CONDUCTOR,
Mr. COSTA.
The Military Band will be under the superintence of
Mr. GODFREY.

Maestro al Plano ..... •••••••• •• .... Signor PANIZZA.
Chorus Master •••• • ... Mr. SMITHSON.
Prompter • • •• •• .• •• Signor MONTERASI.
Poet •• •• •• •• •• • • ••••• • • .• • • Signor MAGGIONT,
ENGAGEMENTS FOR TETE BALLET.
Mademoiselle BATTALINT,
Mademoiselle A STORI,:
Mademoiselle ELIZA NEIIR,
(Their First Appearances in England,)
Afademoiselle SANTT,
Mademoiselle ESPER,
and
Mademoiselle PLUNKETT.
Maitre de Ballet ...... ....•• •• Mons. Desciaces.
Leader of the Ballet .
Director of the Misc-en-Scene Mr. A. Harris.
Scenic Artist ••• • ••
CoettimiOre ............... ...... • Madame Marzie•
Decorator ............• •• • • • •
Machluist ...•••• ..... ......•
Tho Box Office is open from 11 to 5 o'clock.
Royal Italian Opera, Covent Garden,
March, 1854.