The Sun.
London, England, 1848-10-10 00:00:00

COVENT-GARDEN THEATRE.
This theatre opened last evening for the perform-
ance of English opera—we might have said for the
performance of English opera and of the English
legitimate drama, but that the grasping avarice of some
few of the leading professors of the histrionic art,
whom the present dearth of histrionic talent has
accidentally elevated from the state of obscure medic).
crity to which in the days of the Keans and the
Kembles they would have been condemned—has pre-
vented the performance of the English legitimate
drama at this national theatre for the present. IN. e
say for the present, for we trust that Mr. Bunn
scour the country and secure the elite of provinci▪
al
histrionic talent for Covent-garden. We can
assure him that there is a mine of hi▪
s-
trionic talent—aye, and of histrionic genius,
too, in the provinces, which if transported to
t to metropolitan boards would make the fortune of
any manager, for of late years the London boards
have been tabooed to every actor who would not fall
dawn and worship Mr. Macready ; and thus the blun-
airing blockheads who mistake him for human na-
ture, and abominably imitate his abominable imita-
tions of humanity, have the exclusive monopoly
of the London stage. Under these circumstances
the decline of the legitimate drama is not surprising.
English opera, however, sustained by English artists
who will for the most part be employed in producing
the works of English composers, we shall have at
Covent-garden, and last night we had the chef
cr anivre of Wallace, M'aritana, in which the sister of
the composer sustained the character of the heroine,
and Miss Eliza Nelson, the daughter of Mr. S. Nelson,
who has composed several popular songs, appeared as
Lazarillo. It was the first appearance on any stage of
each ofthese young ladies, and we can congratulate each
of them on having achieved a complete and most legiti-
mate success. Miss 'Wallace possesses a good figure,
expressive features, and is most lady-like in her
manners—all essential requisites to success. Her
voice is a soprano of great compass, and which is
peculiarly beautiful in the middle tones (a most rare
occurrence in voices of this character, and possessing
such an extensive range as does that of Miss Wallace).
The great compass of her voice was evident in the
finale to the first act, which she gave with a
brilliancy and power most extraordinary. Her voice
is of great power, and as sweet and as flexible as it is
powerful. Moreover, it is impossible to hear her
sing three bars without at once perceiving that she
is a most accomplished musician—not a mere half-
educated singer only, as too many of those who
have aforetime aspired to the rank of English prima
donna have been, but one who has studied music
scientifically, who can give a reason for the faith
which is in her, and knows not only that certain
things are to be done, but why they are to be done,
and how they are to be done. In short, she is an
accomplished artiste, and we congratulate the lovers
of English opera on having obtained the services of a
musician so accomplished as Miss Wallace. She was
welcomed warmly on her first appearance, which
seemed somewhat to reassure her, for it was evident she
was suffering from nervouness to an extreme degree.
She, however, soon recovered, and gave the finale to the
first act magnificently. It was in this part of the opera
more particularly that the immense compass of her
voice gave her such an obvious advantage over all her
predecessors in the part. The celebrated scena with
which the third act commences was a perfect triumph
for Miss Wallace. Never has the delicious air
" Scenes that are brightest" been more deliciously,
more exquisitely, more feelingly given—the house
Was hushed into dead silence, hanging as it were in
breathless admiration on her cadences, and then at
the conclusion came the most rapturous encore
that was ever heard within the walls of a theatre.
In the finale to the last act she was also rapturously
and deservedly encored, and at the conclusion was
called for to receive that homage of bouquets and
applause which she so richly merited. At the con-
clusion of the beautiful air " Scenes that are
brightest," a solitary bouquet was thrown to Miss
Wallace, but it was one which she no doubt appre-
ciated more highly than all the others thrown to
her during the night. It was thrown by Mdlle. Pavan ti,
who has just returned from a most successful pro-
fessional tour in Italy. This compliment thus com-
ing from such an accomplished artiste must have
been most gratifying to the fair debutante. Miss
Eliza Nelson, who appeared as Lazarillo, is a young
lady of petite but perfect figure, with pretty and ex-
pressive features, and in her boy's costume she looked
perfectly charming. Her voice is a mezzo soprano of
moderate power, and of much sweetness. She sung
the celebrated melody which opens the second act
very nicely, and was deservedly honoured with an
encore. She was also encored in the second couplet
of the trio—" Turn on old Time thine hour-glass "
—an honour which she richly merited by the exqui-
site manner iu which she gave the music. Her acting
too, exhibited much archness and espieglerie. She
will make a great hit in the rile of pages. Harri-
son, Phillips, and Borrani sustained their old charac-
ters,. and the ,orchestra, under the able direction of
Schirra, was all that could be desired. The opera was
followed by the new ballet of The Amazons, which has
been recently, in spite of the revolution, the elections,
and the state of siege, attracting all Paris to
the Opera National, and sooth to say we are not
surprised, after seeing it last night, at its immense
success, for it is one of the most gorgeous and
splendid of spectacles, and is illustrated by some
of the most exquisite dancing ever beheld. Made-
moiselle Plunkett, who every year improves, was
the heroine Nisidia, the General of the
Amazons, and never have we seen her to such
advantage. The Deesscs de la danse, as
they are somewhat presumptuously called,
must look to their laurels, for here is a young god-
dess prepared to dispute with them the palm, aye,
and perchance to bear it away too. Her pas seul
Was a perfect marvel of Terpsichorean art, and was
encored with rapturous enthusiasm. In her Ama-
zonian costume she looked a goddess. The
effect , produced by the army of Amazons, 150
in number, defiling through the ravines of a moun-
tain pass, was superb ; they were all clad in armour
of the most dazzling brilliancy, and went through
their exercise with a precision that would have
done credit to a regiment of Prussians. The
scenery was superb, and The Amazons is one
of those hits which Mr. Bunn has so often
made in the production of
Queen"
and
n
effective ballets. " God save the
was sung
before the commencement of the
performances. At
the conclusion there was a call for Mr. Bunn, a call,
however, which he did not obey.
The following members of the aristocracy were
pre-
sent last evening:—The Duke of Leinster and
.4ordGerald Fitzgerald, Earl and Countess of Hardwicke
Marquis of Donegal, Earl and Countess of Glengall,
Lord Frederick Fitzroy, Lord Suffield, Lady Edward
Lees, Viscount Cantilupe, Hon. Spencer Cowper,' lion.
Frederick Cadog an, Captain Ryder Burton, General and
Mrs. Ashworth, Sir Henry Webb, Bart., Mr. Montague
Gore, Lieutenant-Colonel Knox, M.P. Captain Beau-
champ Seymour, Colonel Cartwright, Hon. Captain
Foley, Sir B. Smith, &c.