The Sun.
London, England, 1838-08-31 00:00:00

MISS S HIRREFF.

The brilliant and overflowing assemblage that collected on
Thursday night, to pay a parting tribute of admiration and
esteem to this charming songstress, will not easily be forgotten
by those who were present, and we are sure will live long in
the recollection of the fair actress herself. It was a high and
unequivocal testimony of her merits, and an equally convinc-
ing proof of the taste and judgment of the citizens of Cork.
The performances commenced with La Sonnambula, and we
never saw anything more soft and touching than Miss Shir-
reff's A mina. The part itself is one of the loveliest creations
of fancy, and she, indeed,
" Invested it with all that's wild and sweet,"

in a manner which we have no hope of again seeing equalled.
Her execution of the music was a blending of the most con-
summate skill with the most refined and exquisite taste.
Her voice also seemed to us to possess even more than its wonted
power and sweetness,and every air called forththe tnostlavish ap.
plause. Her singing, more especially in the beautiful Cavatina,
" Whilst my heart its joy revealing," the Aria" Oh, I cannot
give expression"--the Quartette of " Hear me swear," and
the delicious finale, " Oh I do not mingle," was hailed with
boundless enthusiasm. After the curtain fell at the termina-
tion of the Opera, there was an universal call for Miss Shirreff,
and her appearance seemed to throw the house into a perfect
ecstasy. The plaudits were altogether overpowering, and
garlands and bouquets were showered profusely on the stage,
till after reiterated acclamations from the audience and acknow-
ledgments from her, she was at length suffered to retire.
Manvers, as Elvin°, got on creditably enough for a first per-
formance, but appeared exceedingly nervous. Stretton also
pleased us well as Count Rodolphe. The Concert which fol-
lowed the Opera contained an excellent selection of songs, &c.
" What a perilous thing is the blarney," was sung most fasci-
natingly by Miss Shirreff, and she gave an effect to " The
rapture dwelling," which, notwithstanding an invidious
comparison made between her and another lady lately on our
boards, was triumphantly successful. She was loudly encored
in both. A little song called " The flower of Ellerslie"
was given very sweetly by Manvers, and also encored.
Stretton was very good in the duett of " Claudio, Claudio,"
with our fellow-towasman, Mr. Alex. Roche ; but some bal-
lads by the latter, given with the purest taste and the most
exquisite simplicity, were amongst. the greatest charms of the
evening. His " Aileen Mavourneen" was particularly pleasing,
and produced a warm encore. The music of this and of
" The Blarney" are his own composition. After the concert
there was a call for the old favourite, " I'm o'er young to
marry yet," which was, however, unheeded, and the orchestra
was directed to play " God save the Queen ;" but loyalty
itself was forgotten in the enthusiasm, not alone of the Olympic
inhabitants, but even of those in the more lowly regions,
and we doubt if even the trumpet or big drum heard a
note of its own music. Up went the curtain amid the most
charming aggregation of discords, and forward came the
performers in the Weathercock, but neither the dumb show
appealing of the actors, nor the authoritative mandate to
" go on with the afterpiece," was of the slightest avail, and
those who thought to thwart the feelings of the fair vocalist and
the wishes of the house were forced to yield. She again gladly
appeared, and sung it twice in the most enchanting manner,
and at the conclusion, pit, boxes, and gallery fell into such a
paroxysm of huzzaing, cheering, and waving of hats, that we
verily believe had it occurred in the olden time she would run
the risk of being burned as a magician. They ceased at length
from downright exhaustion; but whether in her course over
the waves of the Atlantic, or in her wanderings in a distant
land, we are sure that her last reception by the people of Cork,
can never be forgotten by her. We have only space to add,
that Miss Romer, Templeton, and Balfe are re-engaged far
four nights. The merited celebrity of the latter as a composer
ought alone to draw crowded bouses.—Cork Paper.