The Sun.
London, England, 1824-01-23 00:00:00

KING'S THEATRE.

This theatre was opened last night for the re-
ception of company, Oft a sort of private invita-
tion, to witness the rehearsal of a new Ballet
with which the season is to commence. Though
the assemblage was brought together ostensibly
as the representatives of the Manager's private
circle, yet certainly, in multitude, and prepara-
tion, the company partook as much of the cha-
racter of a public audience, as though the even-
ing had been included formally in the season.—
The stage above presented a variance from the
usual appearances of a public performance. The
m
performers, who were solicited to assume the dra-
matic costume, but refused, it is understood, obvi-
ously in consequence of the addition of unnecessary
trouble which it would heap upon them, all op.,
peered in their ordinary garb. The Ballet is
borategisht attention outo 1:a k o i t a more
a scale, and with a degree of ela-
to machinery and parade, that
promise
rromue
our public amusements than it has hitherto as-
sumed. The three new appearances—Madame 1
R. I,7EsTals, Mademoiselle Leoßos, and Made-
Altogether
all
o f
rtitiloei setilriset I Do
rAdleir"oGf I t
BEaNIEi
eat,
draonmc far—areePrs. is
there was il harmony and grace of movement
in the whole corps, that
can rarely be obtained
' amongst so large a group of persons between
whom differences upon so many points pre-
vail. The scenery, from the little specimen
that was sparingly vouchsafed to our eyes, we
presume will be found extremely effective. The
House, as it appeared under the brilliant diffu-
sion of light reflected from the golden embelliJi-
men ts that were placed every where to the
greatest advantage, and showing the rich tints as
they were brought out by the relief they gave
each other—these, with the Parade of rich attire
—and the animation imparted to the whole by

he moving of lovely forms, afforded all that.
pleasure to the mind which is derived from the
contemplation of brilliant variety unalloyed by
the sense of confusion. We have already de-
scribed the changes that have been wrought in
the interior. The two most striking objects, and
those which doubtless made the largest contri-
butions to the gorgeous appearance of the House,
where the new chandelier depending from the
centre of the ceiling, and the drop-curtain.--
The design of the former ornament is worthy of
universal admiration. The superior part re-
sembles a coronet, the feathers falling back
in a broad fold. The ring, which is the
middle or principal division, is an open circle
of vast diameter, connected with the upper part
apparently by cha►ns, which are formed of drops
of glass closely united, and these are again par-
tially veiled by deep festoons of the same ma-
terials. The burners are included within the
ring, and are there somewhat capriciously dis-
posed. The light thus passing through a tapestry
of transparent gems, is deprived of its dazzling
force, and weakened into a sedate and convenient
effect. The classical decorations which occupy
the ceiling are displayed to beautiful ad{ a tag,.
The drop-curtain is decorated in a manner
entirely new, but we think suitable to the
dignity of the place. It presents a deep
crimson ground, thickly covered with st:;ri
and roses in gold, alternately disposed. The
border is likf!svise of gold, and is of a depth
to exceed its proportion. A short curtain
depends from the proscenium of the same ma-
terial, and ornamented in the same manner, ex-
cept that it is shadowed very deeply, so as almost
to resemble festoons. Among the company pre-
sent we believe we might be justified in includ-
ing the whole of the Nobility in town. Rossini,
the celebrated composer, was present during a
great part of the night, and surveyed from a pri-
vate box, the brilliant crowd with the interest of
one who approaches the time when they will
yield a triumph to his exertions. A rehearsal of
the new Opera takes place to-morrow, under the
superintendance of this composer, and it is in-
tended that the secresy of the performance shall
be in no instance violated.