The Sun.
London, England, 1851-06-06 00:00:00

ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA.

The continued and chronic hoarseness of poor Salve-
tori has produced, as far as the subscribers are con-
cerned, one good effect; it has secured for them ono
more season of Tamburini. The great barytone has
been induced by the management to forego his intended
Italian journey, and to resume his place at the Royal
Italian Opera, where he made his debiit last evening,
in his old character of Don Giovanni. lie was in ex-
cellent voice and spirits, and acted the Don in the true
spirit of gentlemanly recklessness, which renders his
Don the first on the stage. Grist, as Donna Anna, was
magnificent; and Tamberlik, as Don Ottavio, dkeated a
sensation which will not easily bo forgotten. He under-
took the character at a short notice, in consequence of
the illness of Mario, and the indulgence of the audience
was requested; he, however, achieved a triumph greater
than has ever been achieved in that character. We ex-
tract from the Times the following critique on last
night's performance:—
Signor The re-appearance of Tamburini last night
was an event of twofold importance, inasmuch as it
restored to the theatre a dramatic barytone, of
which it has been greatly in want since the commence-
ment of the present campaign, and was the means of
Don Giovanni before the public for the first
bringing
time this season at the Royal Italian Opera. The house
was crowded to suffocation, and we understand some
hundreds of persons were sent away from the pit, unable
to find standing room. Signor Tamburini 's reception
was of the heartiest kind, and hie performance of Don
Giovanni, in which character he has no rival at present
on the stage, presented all those salient qualities to
which it owes its celebrity. The profligate nobleman,
with insinuating manners, imperturbable effrontery, and
daring courage, was portrayed to the life. The courtier-
like bearing of Signor Tamburini in the scenes with
Elvira and Donna
Anna,
in the duet with his bland persuasive-
ness Zerlina " L et darem,"
his reckless shamelessness in'a
the confiden-
tial interviews with Leporello, and his haughty
demeanour, in the final rencontre with the statue, were
as forcible and appropriate as ever. Though the ravages
of time may be traced in the voice of Signor Tamburini,
which has chiefly suffered in the higher notes, there is
no evident falling off in the taste and spirit of his sing-
ing, and the encores that followed the drinking song
and the serenade testified' to the genuine effect he pro-
duced upon the audience. In short, the successor of this
accomplished artist, in the arduous part of Don Gio-
vanni, has yet to be found, and until he bo found we
have reason to be well satisfied with what we have got.
The great novelty last night, in the execution of Mo-
zart's chef d'ceuvre, was the unexpected appearance of
Signor Tamberlik in the part of Don Ottavio, a circum-
stance explained in the following circular, which was
distributed in every part of the house:—
" The directors have extreme regret in announcing
that in consequence of the severe cold under which Sig-
nor Mario is suffering it is not possible for him to sing
to-night. The indulgence of the audience is, therefore,
respectfully requested towards Signor Tamberlik, who
has at a very short notice most kindly offered to perform
the part of Den Ottavio."
Tho immediate feeling was one of general disappoint-

went ; but the duet with Donna Anna, in the first
scene, convinced the audience that the favourite, Mario,
had found a worthy substitute, while the subsequent
scene with Donna Anna, where she recounts the
story of her father's death by the hand of the liber-
tine, and that of the grand finale to the first act,. in
which Don Ottavio defies Giovanni, were acted with
such unnusual energy, that disappointment was con-
!, verted into unanimous satisfaction. But the culminat-
ing point was, of course, the "II mio tesoro,"
which famous air it is our duty to sa;y, we
have never heard so magnificently sung by any other
singer. The style was perfect, the expression varied and
glowing, and the volume and quality of tone displayed in
the upper notes, especially in the well known passage (first
introduced by Rubini), where the sustained note Fis
carried on to the high B flat—we have not . heard
equalled even by Duprez when ho was the prince of
tows edi forza. The encore was tumultuous. The air
was repeated with increased effect, and Signor Tam-
who finished the second time on the high B flat,
with immense power, was once more recalled by the
amliPlice. In a word, his Don Ottavio is, without com-
parison, the best we have seen. There is no lassitude
or indifference in the opening scones; the points Mozart
intended are all there; and, insteed of a walking gen-
tleman with a song, as Rubini and others have made
it, we have a character for which the sympathies are
engaged from first to last, and when the grand point
arrives our admiration and delight are all, the greater.
There is not much fur Don Ottaviu to do in the majo-
rity of the scenes in which he appears, but, that what
there is may be rendered effective, Signor Tsmberlik
has proved beyond controversy. His performance
last night raised him to a point ie the estimation of
the audience beyond which none of his contemporaries
have been able to soar, and the " indulgence respecfully
requested" in his behalf, on the part of the management,
was accorded with enthusiasm. Another novelty in the
cast was Madlle. Bertrandi, whose Donna Elvira is de-
cidedly the best thing she has played. Without reach-
jug the excellence of Madlle. Corbari, the best Elvira we
have seen upon the stage, Madlle. Bertrandi sang the
very difficult music of that beautiful but ill-appreciated
character so correctly, and with such decision and in-
variable good taste, that the most exacting admirers of
Mozart must have felt entirely satisfied. The other
principal characters—the Donna Anna of Madame
Grisi, the Zerlina of Madame Castellan, and the Lepo-
rello of Herr Formes—need not be dwelt upon. It is
enough to say that they exhibited their accustomed ex-
cellence; that Grisi, in the recitative and aria of the first
act was as grand and dramatic as she is wont to be—that
the " Batti, batti" and " Vedrai eariao," sung with
great sweetness by Madame Castellan, were both en-
cored—and that the last scene of Leporello, perhaps,
the most original and elaborately-finished of all the
impersonations of Herr Formes, was never more striking,
impressive, and true to character and situation. We
have often praised the Commandatore of Signor Taglia-
fico, and his execution of the sublime music of the finale
to the second act: last night, confirmed ue in the opi-
nion that the part has rarely, if ever, found so efficient
a representative. Signor Polonini's Masetto is perfect
in its way; his acting is natural and humorous, and his
singing invariably correct and good. We should men-
tion that among the encores were the two songs of Sig-
nor Tamburini and the " trio of the masks," by
and Signor Tambezlik.
Ma-
dame Grisi, Bertrandi,
We must remark, however, that the singers are
too apt to respond to the demands of a minority in
coming forward to repeat their airs. The only unani-
mous encore last night—the only one that could not be
resisted with deference to the public—was that accorded
to the " Il mio tesoro," and it is worthy of observation
that among all the performers engaged in the opera, Sig-
nor Tamberlik was the slowest to accept the compliment.
The general performance of the cpera was admirable.
Mr. Costa and his orchestra shone to the highest ad-
vantage, and we have not heard the finale to the first

act, the sestet, " Sole or the great last mane,
with Giovanni, Leporello, and the statue of the Cora-
mandatore, go so unexceptionably well. The military
band, however, was more out of tune than ever, both in
the first and second acts. Surely some remedy might
be found for this. The effect of the trombones behind
the scenes, when the statue, in the churchyard, accepts
the invitation to supper of Don Giovanni, is very so-
lemn and appropriate ; but last night these instruments
were probably so far off; at the commencement, that
they were inaudible, and the statue had to
,sing his
first solo without accompaniments. Some reform in the
management of the supper scene is absolutely essential.
We are tired of stating that Don Giovanni should have
no company at table, since, as the book shows, his eh-
'nervations are exclusively directed to his servant,
Leporello, which would be a curious anomaly on the part
of so polite a cavaliq in the presence of ladies. But if
this point cannot be conceded, the table might be placed
elsewhere than in the middle of the stage, so as to do
away with the excessive absurdity of a number of domes-
tics coming in to carry off the remains of the feast, at
the approach of the statue, as though to clear the stage
for a pas de trois for Don Giovanni, Leporello, and the
ghost of the dommandatore. Such scenic mistakes go
far to destroy the awfuLeffect intended to be conveyed by
the music and the situation; and people are inclined, in
some places, to laugh rather than be impressed and edi-
fied at the fate of the unrepentant profligate. Moreover,
they are so egsy to remedy that their obstinate retention
is unpardonable. The principal artists were recalled at
the end of the first act, and after the second Signor Tam.
burini came on alone.

WATERLOO, BRIDGE iCOMPARY.—The half-yearly
meetirg of the proprietors of this company.was held yestert
day, at the Fremasons' Tavern, Mr. F. Jenkins in the chair.
TheTeport stated, that the receipts for tolls during the past
half-year amounted to 8,0394 165., while those of the cor-
responding period of the preceding half-year were .7,3671,
being an increase of 6721.' of which 480/. was fin. horses
and carriages, and 1911. for foot-passengers. A further in-
crease had also taken place in the receipts since February
last of 434/. The committee were aware that the numerous
visitors from all parts of the world to view the Great Exhi-
bition had tended to increase the tolls since February last;
yet as the amount received up to that period was in no
manner influenced by any casualty, it afforded satisfactory
evidence of progressive improvement in traffic. The bridge
and the roads remained in a most satisfactory state of
repair. The report was unanimously adopted. It was in-
timated that in all probability this bridge would ere long
be taken by Government and opened to the public, and this
seemed the more likely, taking it into consideration that
botk Blaekfriars and Westminster bridges were in a very
crit state.

1 TALL WISHES.—In no class shall we find a greater
exuberance of fancy or more exaggerated ideas in regard to
wealth than in the thorough-bred loafer. A few dap ago a
couple of individuals of this genus being seated in a sunny
nook, near a wharf, at which a California bound vessel was
lying, their conversation very naturally ran upon gold, as
neither of the twain was the possessor of a single red cent,
and they amused themselves by wishing for the precious
metal. " Bill," said one to the other, " I'll telr yer jest how
much gold I wish I had, and I'd be satisfied." " Wa,"
on
said the dividualTh appealed to, "go —lll see if you've
got the libral idees of a gentleman 7 " Well, Bill, I wish I
had so much gold, that 'twould take a 74-gun ship, loaded
down with needles so deep that if you put in another needle;
she'd sink—and all these needles to be worn out makin bags
to hold my pile." Bill threw his crownles.s hat upon the
pavement with indignation, and exclaimed, " darn it, why
don't yer wish for suetethia when yer undertake it! I wish
that 1 had as much as yours wouldn't pay the interest of
mine for the time you could hold a red hotkniiten needle in
your ear.”—A„nerican Paper.
HOW TO FEED FEEsII CAUGHT NIGHTINGALES.—
The birds, when secured, are placed in a store cage, and
,41.rihieczkel3;
acrotehti-
ee,ty etdh
et
ao Lphreu c
ebeidr d a
t d e
oa Inecres
ti
an
,t, lime e
aSte vtehne
raD iaairle4
This is accomplished thus :—Some fresh, raw beef is scraped;
andwater, all tib
and hardboiled
fibrous substance, it is
ymoilxke do
finto
egg,
soft
paste,btei ng
divested of
withca l
d
ee
This is put into a large tin bird pan. In the middle
v,the
stemle.iof this
food
.
sdneira 1
this
hiins ve i
glasst e d
alricluiir introduced three or
Mars,
four lively meal-worms, whose oft-repeated endeavours to
beak out of prison attract the attention of the nightingale.
s ispl brokenace placed
v a r
Under "
Net understanding how these worms are placed beyond his
reach, be continues to peck at them, until by degrees he
tastes the beef and egg, which is artfully rubbed over the
sides of the glass. This being pulateable, lie satiates his ap-
NiNs'OpnalSeatslc;
ap-
petite with it, and soon feels a zest for it—particularly as
lhaer I vile meal-`corms
ti hisv ea. t t eHmepnt so
now
o eatsge regularly—
ut
alwaysf f . prove
Fy
ial
lbi abor-
tive. rm-
Kidd in the " Gardeners' droniele."
ONLY ME.—A lady had two children,both '
girls.
The elder was a fair child, the
younger a beauty, and the
mother's pet. Her whole love centered 3 in it. The lder was
neglected, while "sweet" (the pet name of the younger)
received every attention that affection could bestow. One
day, after a severe illness, the mother was sitting in the par-
lour, when she heard a childish step upon the stairs, and her
thoughts were instantly with the favourite. "Is that you,
Sweet?" she inquired. "No, mamma," was the sad, touch-
ing reply, " it isn't sweet ; it's only me." The mother's heart
smote her ; and from that hour " only me" was restored to A
place in her affections.
THE FOLLY or FRETTING.—TWO gardeners, who
were neighbours, had their crops of early peas killed by.tlit
frost. One of them came to condole with the other. "An
cried he, " how unfortunate ! Do you know, I
neighbour,
have done nothing but fret ever since. But, bless
eratel; e YP
seem to have a fine crop coming up; what sort are y
" Why, these are those I sowed , Immediately
said ,lie fritter.
loss." " What ! coming up already? ' fretting
were I
" Yes," replied the other; " while you
was working."
grime few evenings Sinn.
THE TREATY STONE.----- ----,
apparently a native of
an interesting looking young yam"'
a country district, was observed hammering the " Treaty.
Stone," at Thomond-bridge, with a two poundiron weight,
and on being questioned as to her motive, she stated that she
had a brother in New Orleans, and that he had written to
her for a small piece of the Limerick " Treaty Stone," telling
her to kiss it before transmitting it to him, so that he might
not only have it for that reason, but also to exhibit it to his
friends in America. having procured a " bit" of the stone,
the young
woman went away, aPParently much delighted.—
Limerick .E 2 aezzner.
SOMETHING LIKE A RING.—We have seen a ring
manufactured by Jacks Brothers, intended and as a present
for General Lewis Cass, which not only from its beautiful
workmanship, but from its size and design, is an object of
much interest. It is of very large proportions, weighl,g 31Z
ounces and being of solid specimen gold. The plate is suk.
mounted by a specimen of gold-bearing quartz from Me
Angelos, with the name of " Lewis Cass" in raised letters.
It opens by a spring, and discloses four compartmentscovered
with glass and containing gold from Yuba, Feather River,
Mariposa, and Gold Bluff respectively. On the reverse of
the plate is the following inscription :—" Presented to Lewis
Cass by hi 3 friends in California." J. B. Bidleman, J. S.
Hager, J. R. ilarelenbergh, Charles J. Torbet, Daniel Henry.
Oliver Charlie, John H. Scranton, G. B. Post, Dr. J: Bush,
W. M. Eddy, F. D. Kohler, George 11. Blake.—This beau-
tiful specimen is to be sent by the next steamer.—San
Francisco Herold.
CHEESE.—An account bas been published of the
quantities of cheese imported into Great Britain during the
year 1850, and of all European cheese exported, exclusive of
British. The quantities imported each month have varied
from :39,266 cwt. 2 qrs. 161 b., in the month ending Novem-
ber 5, to 17,400 cwt. 1 qr. 141 b., in that aiding July 5. The
total quantities during the
year amounted to 347,802 cwt
3 qrs. 101 b., of which 184 cwt. 2 qrs. 181 b. were from the
British possessions, 78,707 cwt. 1 qr. . olb
, from the United
States, and 268,910 cwt. 3 qrs. 151 b. front Europe, &c. The
quantities of European cheese exported from the United
Kingdom amounted to 4,301 cwt. 2 qrs. 161 b,