The Sun.
London, England, 1851-07-09 00:00:00

ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA

Ronconi made his re-entrée last night, the opera chosen
for the occasion being the Puritani, in which he played
Riccardo. It is not in this character that this clever
musician displays his best and most valuable powers, but
his skill and accuracy as a singer, his large and em-
phatic style, and his full, dramatic feeling, are as appa-
rent here as in anything that he undertakes. With so
few physical advantages as this gentleman possesses—
his voice being coarse and unmusical, and his presence
anything but commanding and attractive—it is extraor-
dinary how completely ho overcomes these natural de-
fects by strong mental superiority and by adroitness as
an actor. Certain of the parts in the lyrical drama may
almost be said to belong to him alone, so vividly original
is his portrayal of them; and we need only point to his
Figaro as a proof of the variety and picturesqueness of
his genius. Riccardo, in the Puritani, obviously does not
provide him with the particular scope that he requires.
His performance last night nevertheless, we repeat, was
earnest and sensible, and he sang the leading morceaux
with breadth and clearness. Grisi, whose vocalism
this year seems more excellent, if possible, than ever,
was in superb voice, and we never heard her sing
the light melodious music belonging to one of the most
popular of operatic heroines with greater and
more fascinating brilliancy. Mario does not yet lose
the traces of the illness which has this season more or
less deprived his efforts of their customary lustre. Ho,
however, gave the principal tenor pieces with the taste
that no physical deterioration can conceal, although
robbed in some degree of their former alluring beauty.
The house was quite full. His Royal Highness the
Prince of Wales honoured the performances with his
presence. His Royal Highness was accompanied by the
Marquis and Marchioness of Douglas (nie Princess Marie
of Baden). Among the fashionable company attending
the theatre we remarked their Graces the Duke and
Duchess of Roxburghe, the Duke and Duchess de Zogo-
rola, the Marchioness of Ailesbury, the Marquis of
Northampton, the Marchesa Branceleone and Mdlle. de
Branceleone, the Marchioness Dowager of Conynghans,
the Countess of Malmesbury, the Earl and Countess of
Besborough, the Earl of Belfast, the Countess von Fur-
stenberg and the Baroness von Stenz, the Earl of Cardi-
gan, the Earl of Durham, Viscount Exmouth, Lord and
Lady Poltimore and Lady Rachel Russell, Viscount
Mandeville, Viscount Cranbourne, Lord Arthur Hay,
Viscount Sydney, Viscountess Neville, Lord and Lady
Carrington and Lady Algernon St. Maur, the Ladies
Henrietta and Geraldine Somerset, Lady Adelaide Paget
and Lady Alfred Paget, Lord Clarence Paget, M.P.,
Lord and Lady Robert Grosvenor and Miss Grosvenor,
Lord and Lady Ernest Bruce, Lord Ward, Lord Henry
Gordon Lennox, M.P., Lady Augusta Gordon Lennox, &c.

flowVeArUsXboHwA,L,
oLf GheAßre
DasEoNns.t—ookh place T o nndigh"t.nocTthuernex al-
hibition received contributions from all the eminent florists
p second
t
t
and gardeners in the neighbourhood of London, and was in
all respects excellent and creditable. There were three
classes of prizes : Class Ist, in which nurserymen and pri-
vate growers competed together; Class 2d, in which private
lesseeas ‘9lf. the
growers only competed; and Class 3d, in which nursery-
men only competed. The total amount of prizes awarded
Was l3sg.,ardthenes.sui,nrhbeeiantgtengdivaennce blyvaAsir
good, Wardell, th 0
notwith-
standing the unpropitious weather; and late in the evening,
when the crowds began to flock in, this " floral fete by
night," well lit up, formed a very pretty picture. There
were, of course, in addition to the flowers, the usual amuse-
ments which render Vauxhall so popular a resort to so
many classes.

SCOTTISH FETE.—The arrangement of that de-
partment of the fete which embraces the morris dance, May-
pole (lance, and other pastimes of " the olden time," has
been undertaken by Mr. Flexmore, the eminent pantomimist.
This unrivalled buffo,. whose agile feats are the source of
for superintending
.an entertainment of this
nightly wonder and delight at the Princess's Theatre, is the
Mr. Richard
fittest person of all others, both from theoretical and practical
gHP,
e has secured the services of a thouro.ufvhrliygheffit,ckeen.t,
nature.kn o w l e d
caGonardiriis
hndeeeraballet,
by comprisingone of
his
sMessrs.
cleverestßologna,
pupils,
The Duke of Beaufort continues in such improved
health that his Grace takes daily airings in the parks ; but
the Noble Duke is understoodto have declined invitations for
the wont own.