The Sun.
London, England, 1849-08-15 00:00:00

SUN,

HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.
Last night Le Nozze di Figaro, that chef d'ceuvre
of Mozart, the, without exception, most perfect comic
opera in the world, was produced at Her Majesty's
Theatre in a style of perfection, alike
worthy of the opera and of the establish-
ment. The cast was the strongest, perhaps, ever
known—Sontag was Susannah; Alboni, Cherubic!;
Parodi, the Countess; Beletti, Figaro; Coletti, the
Count; and Lablache, Bartolo. That the Susannah
of Sontag should be, as a piece of vocalisation,
perfection, was to have been predicated ;
she is an accomplished musician, one of
the few who can thoroughly understand and
appreciate Mozart, and the music is so exactly suited
to her voice, that had Mozart composed it purposely
for her he could not have fitted her better ; but there
was some anxiety felt as to her histrionic impersonation
of the character ; and, notwithstanding her admirable
acting, the lady-like Rosins, the simple Linda, and
the impassioned Desdemona proved that she had made
vast progress in the histrionic branch of her art, yet
the character of Susannah was so different from any
in which she had hitherto appeared that there was
some, not perhaps quite anxiety, but intense curiosity,
experienced to ascertain how she would acquit her-
self. The very first scene with Figaro, however,
satisfied all who assisted at the representation (and
seldom have we seen such an assemblage—long before
the commencement of the overture access to the pit
was impossible) that they had before them
not only the Susannah of Mozart, but the Susan-
nah of Beaumarchais also. Never has the
spirituelle camereriste of the poet been re-
presented more spirituellement. As a piece
of acting, the Susannah of Madame Sontag, is
a nearer approach to the Susannah of Made-
moiselle Mars than any that we have ever seen,
Her opening duet with Figaro was admirably acted
and ,sung. The following scenes with Bartolo and
Marcelline, with Cherubini, with the Count, and with
Figaro, were admirably given. Her scene with
Cherubini and the Countess was admirable, and
never have we heard the "Venite inginocchiveti"
so exquisitely given ; it created quite a
furore, and called forth a rapturous encore. In
the terzetto which follows, "Susanna via sortite,"
in which, hid behind the. curtain, she overhears the
scene between the Count and Countess, her clear
beautiful tones produced a most delicious effect ;
and, in the opening duet of the third act, the
far-famed Crudel
again rapturously encored, although
in the last instance Coletti is entitled to
his full share of the honour. The guar.
tette " Voliamo ad informer," between Susannah,
the Doctor, Marcellina and Figaro, was, however, the
great triumph of the night. It was three times re•
demanded, and, on each repetition, the enthusiasm
was increased; notwithstanding the power of the voices
of Lablache and Beletti, the beautifully-sustained
shake of Sontag could be heard above all. The
" Deh Viene" in the last act was most exquisitely
and most expressively given, and was of course
rapturously encored. Taken as whole, Susannah
is perhaps the best character in which Madame
Sontag has yet appeared. Certainly she is
the best Susannah on the stage. The Countess
of Parodi was a beautiful piece of acting, full of
feeling and pathos. We have never heard the " Dove
seno ' more exquisitely given. She had here an op-
portunity for the display of her histrionic powers, of
which she knew well how to avail herself. The Che-
rubini of Alboni stands alone. She is the only
person on the stage who can sing the music of the
part as Mozart wrote it. Her " Non se piu," and
" Voi the sapete," are things to be remembered ; it
is an epoch in a musical existence to
have heard Alboni sing either of these
exquisite arias, and never did she sing them more
deliciously than last evening. The Count of Coletti
was a fine manly performance ; he gave the
" Vedro month- io" most effectively, and his
fine voice told admirably in the concerted pieces.
Belletti was the very broad/on of a barber that
Beaumarchais intended to draw the comet of the social
system--his acting and singing were admirable. It
is seldom that the tar-famed "Non piu Andrai" has been
given with such truth and spirit Its he exhibited last
night. The Bartolo of Lablache was magnificent.
" La Vendetta" was superbly given, and his acting in
the quartette in the second act was full of humour.
The choruses were excellently drilled, and Balfe de-
serves infinite credit for the admirable manner in
which the orchestra performed their duties. The
principal artistes were all called for at the conclusion,
and had been several times individually called on
during the course of the performance.

LONDON,

73
54
14%
13%
9%
94

37g

BOW-STREET.—(THIS DAY.)
Thomas Gibson, a tail, powerful man, about 40 years
of age, was charged before Mr. Henry with feigning
attacks of cholera in the streets, for the purpose of ex
tortirg alma.

It was proved that last night, between one and two
o'clock, the prisoner was seen to lay himself down on
the footway in Bow-street, near Broad-court, and
writhing with terrible contortions of his limbs, and
moaning dismally; he was soon surrounded by a consi-
derable crowd, amongst whom were some gentlemen,
who sent immediately to the station-house for the
stretcher, to convey him to the hospital, at the same
time pronouncing his cwe to be a decided one of cholera.
But the prisoner found power to express himself to the
contrary, and to make it known that he was subject to
such attacks, and that brandy was the only remedy, and
was invariably of immediate efficacy. The gen-
tlemen kindly procured instantly a large glass
ful, which he drank off before the police
arrived with the stretcher. He then made great re-
sistance to being carried to the hospital, and when
brought there the surgeons pronounced that there was
nothing the matter with him but what was the effect of
drinking. As he seemed much excited a copious appli-
cation of cold water to his head was prescribed, and he
soon became calm enough to be permitted to depart. At
half-past two o'clock this morning(about an hour after his
leaving the hospital) be was seen by a policeman to lay
himself down on the footway in Log acre, in the wit)
of some gentlemen who were approaching in the same
direction, when he began to kick- and writhe about,
moaning fearfully, and foaming profusely at the mouth.
The policeman coming up to him, observed him put some-
thing into his mouth, and, suspecting what it was, con
trived to get his fingers in, and take out a piece of soap.
The prisoner, who made a violent resistance, was ulti-
mately taken to the station-house.
his defence was, that he was subject to epileptic fits,
and he said he " could not believe any one that he had
a piece of soap in his mouth."
The policeman, however, produced it, and his evidence
being corroborated, Mr. HENRY committed the prisoner
to the House of Correction fur one month with hard
labour.

MARLBRO'-STREET-(THIS DAY.)

A " GBNT."—A little short man, of rather seedy
appearance, who gave the name of Lewis Seville, of
No. 15, Curzon street, May-fair, and who Nas described
on the charge-sheet as a gentleman, was brought before
Mr. Hardwick, charged with having been drunk and
disorderly in Oxtord-street.
Police-constable 208 D, stated that about four o'clock
this morning he was on duty in Oxford-street, whet] he
saw the defendant, who was very drunk, cresting a dis-
turbance with two prostitutes. On desiring him to go
away he became very abusive, and said he was a gentle-
man, and paid rates and taxes in order to support such
a one as him. As he persisted in his disorderly conduct,
witness took him to the station.

The defendant denied the truth of the constable's
statement, which he alleged was totally false. He was
perfectly sober at the time, and knew very well what he
was about. Defendant added that the constable had not
done his duty, inasmuch as he was eating a piece of
cake, which he (defendant) had treated one of the
women with. Now he should like to know if that was
part of a constable's duty.
Mr. HARDWICK said, defendant had done wrong in
not obeying the constable, and the latter had acted per-
fectly right in taking him to the station. As he had
been locked up some hours, which was a sufficient pu-
nishment, he (Mr. Hardwick) should discharge him.
A LIISUY SGLICITOII.—A gentlemanly-looking man,
who gave the name of -Frank Williams, but whose real
name is Gill, a solicitor, residing at No. 16, J. rm) n-
street, was charged with having been drunk and dis-
orderly.
Chvekley, 142 C, said he was on duty in Charles-
street, St. James's, this morning, about half-past two
o'clock, when be observed the defendant, who was
much the worse for liquor, knocking at a door in that
street. He told him to go away, and on his refusing so
to do he took him to the station.

The defendant who seem* d rather embarrassed at his
present posiLion, expressed his regret for his conduct,
and assured the magi,►rate it was his first appearance.
Mr. HARDwrcx fined him ss. for being drunk.

MR. HARRIS'S CONCERT AT DRURY.LANE.-111r.
Harris, to whom the frequents rs of the Royal Italian
Oi.era, Covent Garden, are under great obligations for
the perfect manner in which the pieces represented at
the theatre have been placed on the stage, under his
superintendence, takes a benefit concert at Drury lane
Theatre this evening, in which Madame Grisi, Mao:111e.
Angri, Madame litmus Gras, Miss Catherine Hayes,
Corbari, Madlle. de Meric, Miss Poole, Mrs. Weiss,
and Madame Viardot. Signor Mario, Signor Marini,
Signor Ciabatta, Signor Taghafico, Signor Polonini,
Signor Yaglieri, Mr. Weiss, and Signor Tamburini, will
appear. The orchestra► will consist of the artists of the
Ro)al Italian Opera, and Mr. Lavenu will act as
conductor.

DEATLI OF MR. JOHN J. GALWXY, i 3
with the sincerest regret we announce the death of Mr.
Juhn J. Galway, a member of the Town Council, and a
citizen remarkable for his zeal in the cause of the poor.
He died this morning of cholera, a disease which is now
making fatal ravages in the northern district ot this city,
the district in which AIL Galway resided.—Cork Ex-
aminer of MondAy._

CHESTER AND HOLYHEAD RAlLWAY.—Traffic for
the week ending August 12, 1849:—Coaching traffic,
209
8,
l Ic., 45.2714d1..;
Ipzre2edls.,;
steatu-boats, 1584 2s. 6d.—
&c., 441. 19s. I Id.; goous,
cattle,
Total, 2,5091. I Is. 2ci.
The ship Essex, from Gravesend to Calcutta, with
head-quarters 8 rth regimenh,wab sßultep June, in
lit, 2G 58 Null), log. Z 2 2D, All well.