The Sun.
London, England, 1860-05-14 00:00:00

_TIER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

A brilliant auditory came together on Saturday
at her Majesty's Theatre to witness the debut of
two artists new to the operatic world, the one
Mdlle. Maria Brunetti, in the interesting role of
Gilda, the hapless daughter of Rigoletto, the other
Signor Sebastiano Ronconi, in the part of the
court jester.

The aria d'intrata of the Duke, " Questa o
quella," set Signor Mongini at home with his
audience, and the following scene which brings
Rigoletto prominently forward, satisfied them that
Sebastian Ronconi inherits the histrionic talent of
the family. The court ball was illustrated by the
admirable dancing of Mdlle. Pocchini, whose
fascinating pas were immensely applauded, and
two of the more striking choregraphic efflrts
vehemently encored. The length of this diver-
tissement caused the drop-curtain to fall at the close
of the scene, thereby finishing the first act, and thus
adding a fourth to the opera. The second act ac-
cordingly opened with the house of Rigoletto; and,
after Signor Ronconi had earned applause in the
fine tragic recitative and interview with Sparafucile
(Signor Vialetti), wherein he hires that ruffian to
assassinate the Duke, the new ivinza donna, Mdlle.
Brunetti, burst upon the admiring audience, bring-
ing with her that irresistible " letter of introduc-
tion," a charming and intellectual countenance, a
stately and graceful figure, luxuriant fair hair—a
fresh, youthful, and transparent complexion. In
the words of Coleridge, there she

" Stood a lady fair to see,
And beautiful exceedingly,"
To say that the sternest of musical critics can be
insensible to such advantages as Mdlle. Brunetti
possesses, would be to deny him the admiration for
beauty as addressing the eye, in proportion to his
perception of beauty as impressing the mind
through the kindred sense of hearing. But on
this point also—despite the fact that a first appear-
ance is not a fair criterion of an artist's talent—we
were soon agreeably assured. Mdlle. Brunetti, in
the fine and trying scene with her father, showed to
much advantage. Her voice is a pure, fresh, and
pleasing soprano, flexible, sweet, and sympathetic.
The lovely duo " Veglia o donna," Rigoletto and
Gilda, was immensely received ; and her sur-
prise when the Duke interrupts her rhapsody
at the point of her declaration of love for the
stranger who has met her at her devotions, was
worthy of an experienced actress, in voice and
gesture. The aria, " Caro noate it mio cor," was
sung with finished taste, and its bravura passages
with clear and flexible facility; its close, as well as
that of the preceding " addio" with Mongini, being
followed by a call and a recal, and the former with
a shower of bouquets.

The triumph of Mongini came with "La donna a
mobile," which raised a furore, the great tenore robusto
pouring forth the passage " muto d'acoento"fortissimo
and electrifying the house. The song was encored,
sung completely through, and Mongini once more
recalled. The quartett, "Bella figlia, dell 'Amore,"
the Duke, Madalena (Madame Lemaire), Rigoletto,
and Gilda, went most accurately and effectively.
The barbarous death of Gilda, the song, e dentro, of
the escaped Duke, and the discovery of the body of
the fair Gilda in Sparufacile's sack, with the crown-
ing " Maledizione" of the horrorstruck Rigoletto,
brought down the curtain. Again did the leading
singers walk across, and the success of Mdlle.
Maria Brunetti on her first appearance was a fait
accompli. We await with some interest the ap-
pearance of this elegant cantatrice in other music
than Verdi's, convinced she is an acquisition to the
powerful corps of her Majesty's Theatre.
MARINE INSURANCE CONPANIES.

Although three marine insurance companies have
lately been introduced, it has been known for some
time past that a new one, with powerful provincial
support, was in course of formation. The prospec-
tus has been issued, and the undertaking, which is
to unite the interests of London, Liverpool, and
Manchester, is to be called the Thames and Mersey.
Marine Insurance Company. The proposed capi-
tal is £2,000,000, in shares of £2O each, on which
£2 will be called immediately, and an additional £2
after the lapse of six months. The direction is re-
markable, and perhaps unprecedented, for the num-
ber and aggregate wealth of the firms represented,
comprising 33 names, of whom 11 belong to London,
12 to Liverpool, and 10 to Manchester. Thus a
board is to be constituted at each of the three great
centres of commerce, " so as to afford in each loca-
lity the same facilities for the immediate transaction
of business on a large scale, and to secure, by ex-
tending the basis of average, a corresponding in-
crease of stability and profit." Whether the annual
growth of insurance business is such as to call fo:•
another company, or whether any success that rimy
attend the Thames and Mersey will be mainly by a
proportionate diminution of the transactions of its
competitors, is a question for the various share-
holders ; but it appears certain that, in the present
instance, the directors will be able to control,
even from their own firms, an amount of business
sufficient for any ordinary company. They esti-
mate, however, in their prospectus, that the field
of marine insurance is extending at the rate of at
least 15 millions sterling per annum, and conse-
quently it is quite possible for the new interest to
be created without damage to the old ones. It may,
indeed, prove to the advantage of the latter, since
it is desirable that any fresh concern to be called
into existence should be with a capital and on a
scale such as must totally preclude the future con-
coction of an endless number of smaller schemes
that might otherwise be got up, not for the legiti-
mate satisf?.ction of large trading communities, but
merely for the purpose of the share-market.—Times.

ITAYIIARKET.—MR, BENEFIT.—Mr.
George Turpin, whose courteous and obliging conduct has
won him so many friends among the visitors to the 111:y-
-market Theatre,will take his annual benefit on Wednesday
next. A new comedy, by the author of "Box and Cox,"
is among the ontixtainments announced for the occasion.
We trust that the "benefit" will be, by the aid of his nu•-
merous friends, something more tb,a33„ 4 nierely nominal 9219.

LATEST NEW► 7.

LANDING OF GARIBALDI.
The following telegrams were received at Mr.
Reuter's office :

VIENNA, MAY 14.

It is stated in financial quarters, on reliable in-
formation, that part of Garibaldi's expedition dis-
embarked at Marsala on the 11th inst. from two
vessels.

The Royal ships were obliged to cease firing
during two hours, being, it is asserted, prevented
by English steamers. The firing could not be re-
sumed until the English officers had returned from
the shore to their vessels.

The volunteers who had landed were fighting
with the Royal troops at the moment of the mail's
departure.

(OFFICIAL.)
NAPLES, MAY 13, 9.3 P.M.

The firing of the two Neapolitan frigates off
Marsala has killed several of the Fillibusters. As
regards the two vessels in which they had arrived,
the Lombard was sunk and the Piedmont has been
captured. The royal troops marched on to meet
those who had disembarked,

PARIS, MAY 14.

The Constitutionnel publishes an article, signed
by M. Grandguillot, which says :—" The reply of
Count Cavour to M. Thouvenel proves that Pied-
mont as well as France energetically blames the
audacious attempt of Garibaldi. If the expedition
of Garibaldi is contrary to the interests of Pied-
mont, it nevertheless responded to the sentiment of
a part of the people of whom Garibaldi is the hero.
Piedmont could not constrain the man who repre-
sents so large a popular force. Such an act would
raise a dangerous reaction in Italy."
If the enterprise of Garibaldi is censured by
Europe, the state of things in the Two Sicilies is se
critical that the success of- the enterprise would
astonish no one.

Without foreseeing the issue of the expedition,
we cannot admit the supposition that it may lead to
an European conflagration.
The Constitutionnel, speaking of the reports that
England wishes to possess Sicily, says :—lt would
be no more easy for England to take Sicily than
for Russia to occupy Constantinople.
M. Grandguillot recals that France and England
have always acted in concord as regards Neapolitan
policy. No one ought, therefore, to suppose that
to-day they oppose one another.

M. Grandguillot concludes as follows :—We still
hope that the Neapolitan question will not be un-
ravelled by revolution, but in case it should it is
only by union and not by antagonism and rivalry
that the great Powers, particularly France and
England, could meet its dangers.

PARIS, MAY 13.

The lifoniteur de la Flotte of to-day says :
"It is announced that the Mediterranean squa-
dron had received orders to re-enter Toulon in order
to set out again on a more distant mission, respect-
ing which no particulars are known. We may, how-
ever, be permitted to suppose that if not destined
for the coasts of Sicily, the squadron would cruise
in the Levant, where agitations both political and
religious have recently arisen, which at no distant
period may necessitate the interference of the
Western Powers."

The Paine of this evening says—" The rumours
of Russian military movements in the southern pro-
vinces of the empire are entirely false. The number
of troops in those provinces does not exceed 50,000.
They have made no forward movement, neither is
there any sign of unusual activity."

PARIS, MAY 12.

The Patrie of this evening contains news from
Genoa to the 11th inst., stating that Colonel Medici,
the friend of Garibaldi, was forwarding the prepara-
tions for a second expedition, of which the colonel
would take the command, and for taking part in
which 6,000 volunteers have already been enrolled.
All the arms have been purchased of the manufac-
turers. Great excitement prevails at Genoa and
Lombardy, from which quarters almost all the
volunteers have come. It is asserted, however,
that the energetic diplomatic representations made
to Piedmont would decide the Government to pre-
vent the departure of a second expedition. The
Patrie adds that the Neapolitan Government is in
a position to resist all attacks.
The Opinione Nationale believes that General
Garibaldi would disembark near Terracina on the
frontier between the Neapolitan and Papal States.
Another version in the same journal affirms Calabria
to be the place of disembarkation.

MARSEILLES, MAY 13.
A letter from Talamon, written by one of Gari-
baldi's officers, says :

" The number of men who embarked at Genea
was 1,100. Double that number of volunteers pre-
sented themselves, but it was found impossible to
receive them on board the steamers.

" The expedition is commanded by Garibaldi
and Bixio. The volunteers were feted by the in-
habitants, who soon dispersed."
The Grand Duke Nicholas of Russia has arrived
here in a Russian frigate, and will, it is asserted,
leave this evening for Paris.

MARSEIELES, MAY 12.
Letters from Naples give a formal denial to the
reported protest of the consuls at Messina.

ROME, VIA MARSEILLES, TUESDAY.
Gen. Lamoriciere continues to concentrate the
Papal troops at Gubbio.
It is asserted that Gen. Allegrino, the command-
ing officer at Ancona, has been reduced to the non-
effective.

The King of Naples has subscribed one million
scudi to the Roman loan.

TOULOUSE, MAY 12.
The Spanish Princes slept here last night, and
continue their journey to Paris today.

TURIN, MAT 12.

Various rumours are current respecting General
Garibaldi's expedition. A few disembarkations are
said to have taken place on the coasts of the Ro-
magna and near Montalto. The cruising in the
roads of Malta and the Straits of Messina is very
active. Vessels of war are seen, at intervals of
about 30 miles, off the coasts of Sicily. The mem-
bers of the Chamber of Deputies have assembled in
committees for the examination of the treaty of
Savoy and Nice.

Sardinian Rente is quoted at 821 for money, and
82 for account.

The journals publish a proclame.tian of Garibaldi
to the Italians.

In this proclamation Garibaldi milts upon the in-
habitants of the Marches, Umbria, and Sabina and
the Neapolitans to revolt, in order to divide the
forces of the enemy.
Another proclamation, addressed to the Romans,
recalls the insurrection of 1849, and urges th•
Romans to act like their brethren who fell iri de-
fending Rome.

The French Government has fc r warded to the