The Sun.
London, England, 1848-05-12 00:00:00

ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA.

Mozart's Nozze di Figaro was played last night for the
first time this season, and Mademoiselle Steffanoni made
her rentree in the part of the Countess. This lady has a
very agreeable soprano voice, and sings with much
feeling,
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intonation
uncertain; but nervousness is apt to render her
uncertain; this was apparent in both her airs, " Porgt
amor," and "Dove sono," and militated against much
that was expressive and graceful in her execution. In
other respects this comic masterpiece of the greatest of
musicians was rendered with remarkable completeness
and efficiency. The Susanna of Grisi and the Count of
Tamburini have been long acknowledged perfect, and
it is enough to say they exhibited last night all
those vocal and dramatic excellences to which they
owe their fame. Alboni's Cherubino is a later acquaint-
ance, but deserves to rank in the same line; her
acting throughout is full of life and spirits, and the pas-
sionate melodies which Mozart has put in the mouth of
the enthusiastic youth were never uttered by a voice
more eminently fitted to interpret them. Marini's
Figaro is considerably better in every respect than it
was last season; Rovere's Bartolo careful and effective,
and the Basilio of Lavia thoroughly artistic. The bass
and tenor airs, " La Vendetta," and " In quegli anni,"
could hardly be better sung than the two last-mentioned
artists. The whole opera went off with immense spirit;
the ensemble of the orchestra and principals in the two
splendid finales was all that the most fastidious critic
could desire; and the customary encores were awarded
to the overture, " Voi the sapete" (Alboni), " Non piu
andrai". (Marini), " Crudel perche" (Grisi and Tambu-
rini), and " Sul aria"(Steffanoni and Grisi), all of which
were well deserving the compliment, although the per-
formance, intrinsically a long one, was protracted, in
consequence, to an unreasonable hour.

POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION.
Dr. John Ryan still continues his interesting course of
lectures on domestic chemistry. In his illustrations this
week of the doctrine of the laws of heat, he has especially
directed his audience to the phenomena of radiation, re-
flection, and absorption, as applied to tho warming of
rooms, public buildings, &c. &c. Dr. Bachhoffner is en-
gaged in an elementary course on electricity, in which
the Learned Gentleman enters deeply into the delightful
science, but by the simple and popular manner in which
he lectures, renders his discourse of great value and
utility to the numerous classes which visit this admirable
establishment. The institution has never since its esta-
blishment been so crowded as at present, nor has it eNer
had so large and so select a combination of works of art
and of ingenuity. Numerous works of art and ingenuity
are carried on here; gem and seal engraving by Mr.
Gifford, sculpture by Mr. Rivers, glass blowing, cotton
spinning, &c. The addition of the specimens of English
manufactured porcelain, from the works of Alderman
Copeland, are greatly admired for their beauty and ele-
gance of design. We are glad to see the directors thus
encouraging native talent and enterprise. The new
mode of illustrating the dissolving views by historical and
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FALL IN PIM NICE OP BREAD.—Yesterday morn-
ing the cheap bakers in the Blackfriars-road and sur-
rounding neighbourhood reduced the price of the 41b.
loaf to 4c1., and some even to sd.