The Sun.
London, England, 1815-01-11 00:00:00

THE ITALIAN OPERA:

The ci-devant King's Theatre in the Haymarket
opened fOr the Season last night, with more of.no-
velty, we cannot say of improvement, than ithas
of late years exhibited. Indeed, the Manager has
kept his word—it is " all foreign :"—ornaments
foreign to British taste,, singers
_foreign in every
respect, dancers every one of them foreign, mu-
sic by a foreign composer, played by an orchestra
led by a foreigner, dresses foreign to England
and to the Opera repreSented—this Is-- the FO-
REIGN THEATRE.

The Hotise,has beery cleansed. and- purified,- a
ceremony of Which it stood greatly in-.need, and
What with new painting, washing, and varnishing,
this magnifiCent structure has assined a decent
appearance instead of being the receptacle-of im-
measureable dust and dirt. The box-fronts have
been painted in richer colours than 'before, and
have a good effect. The cieling has also been
embellished with a new allegorical subject, the
drift of which is - not very comprehensible,
nor the design very strongly indicative' of
taste or genius. It is a gaudy daub glittering.
to please themultitude, but- far inferior in classic
elegance to its • more dingy predecessor.
Of a piece with- this is the Curtain. Covent-.
Garden • Theatre' has set the example of eye-
offending French frippery in this respect, instead
of the soft and solacing green, on Which the
nerve, affected by intense application to the scene,
delighted to repose, and we ought not therefore
to he surprized, that 'a Foreign Stage should be
ambitious of similar ornament. This represents
crimson velvet, flaming with tinsel and: spangles,
and otherwise un-naturalized. 'ln itself, however, it
is a clever production, and only objectionable in
the use to which it is appropriated. Some beau-
tiful chandeliers complete the boasted " improve-
ments." They looked well, and poured down so
plenteous,a waxen shower upon the circumference
of the Pit, that many a timid fop retired from that
situation, converted (to use a vulgarism) into • a
perfect Lad o' Wax. This descent of spermaceti,
is so offensive, that the candles must either be
surrounded with glass bells, or the audience must
place themselves under the shelter of umbrellas
and parasols, which will have an entertaining ef-
fect, and add to the coup d'cril—a phrase so much
in the mouths of our best critics.

The Opera was new j the Music by MEYER.
The fable is, M usual, insipid :

Adelasia, the daughter of the Emperor Otho, marries,
against her father's will, 41eramo, a Nobleman, whom the
machinations of Rumballo, the confident of Otho, have
caused to be suspected of treason. Theiovers fly from the
wrath of the Emperor to a forest in a distant part of his do-
minions, whete they live, as peasahts, for some years. They
are, however, at length discovered by Ralubaplo, who informs
the Emperor. Ateramo is taken- prisdner. and his death is
determined on ; but, just as the Emperor's- decree is on the
point of -being carried into execution,* Roberto, the brother
of 41ercpizo, proves Rambutdo to be a traitor,who had leagued
with the Saracens to drive Otho from the throne—and the,
piece concludes with the reconciliation of the'EMperor to his
children, and the punishment of the infamous Rambaido.

Madame SESSI, the new serious Prima. Donna,
(FEaLENnts, we ta;:e it, is to be the Prima Buffa),
performed ..4de/asia. She
.possesses a rather squat
and inelegant person, which . was rendered more
observable by unbecoming dress ; neither has she
youth on her side, but her voice is of good qua-
lity and great compass. She is au augmented BER-.
TINOTTI, more powerful, though not so sweet,
and true to science in .every; note she utters.—
GENI (Otho), the principle tenor, resembles
SIBONI in • his vocal powers. He is a tall
figure and . full of the, fantastical gesticulation of
the French school. GRAA:u (Aleramo), is also a
tenor, and in our opinion the most •promising De-
batant of the night. He is young, and possesses
already a fine tone, ability in its management, and
skill to throw in a few graces of the best order,
'and not overdone. His reception was deserVedly
favourable. VASSEUR (Rambaldo), is a base, infe-
rior as we think to RovEnmo.

AVe shall hereafter notice the new Ballet Corps,
but at prese:a have no opportunity of saying more
than that they do not possess any striking merit.
Like the Singers, they are respectable in their
line, but are deficient in rhat pre-eininence which
we have witnessed at this Theatre.

, First-rate talents are lamentably wanted, and
the present.Companyean never satisfy the Pahlie,
unless it thinks that half a dozen of tn-,>diocre per-
formers (A.nr at best just rising above mediocrity)
are sufficient for this tmntexpensive Establish
uncut.

The Opera re.setnbles the Performers—it is
moderately gifted in musical cuirditics, and
deitittite of any thing very effective pr imposing.-