The Sun.
London, England, 1858-06-09 00:00:00

RER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

The programme of the season contained a pledge
that Mdlle. Piccolomini should appear, at au early
date, in the character of Luisa Miller, wherein
she had achieved, in Italy, triumphs equal to those
which attended, and still attend, her performance
in " La Traviata;" and last evening the opera was
produced. Among Mr. Lumley's merits as a mana-
ger is conspicuous the tact with which he arranges
and varies the attractions of his theatre. He has
chosen for the production of this successful opera,
by Verdi, exactly the time when such a novelty
was eagerly desired, and was sure to be favourably
greeted. He has his reward in one of the most com-
plete successes of his three most successful seasons.
The story of " .Luisa Miller," as most of our
readers are probably aware, is taken from Schiller's
"Kraft and Liebe." It is simple, touching, tragic,
and very dramatic. A slight sketch of it will
facilitate a comprehension of the chief points of the
performance. Luisa is the daughter of Miller, a
vassal of Count Walter. She has been wooed and
her affections won by a young lover named Carlo,
who is unknown to the neighbours, but for whom
she has rejected a more ill-favoured suitor, Wurm.
This Wurm is a retainer of Count Walter, and be-
tween them there is some dark secret. Old Miller
has his doubts as to the young lover, which are
converted into certainty when Wurm communi-
cates to him the fact that Carlo is no other
than the young Count Rodolpho, son of Walter, in
disguise. Rodolpho, on the other hand, is beloved
by the Duchess Frederiea, a wealthy and beautiful
young widow, and Walter is bent on their marriage.
Rodolpho tells.the duchess the truth, and of course
only succeeds in rousing her to a frenzy of jealousy.
Miller now tells his daughter the true position and
character of her lover, but his denunciations are ar-
rested by the arrival of Rodolpho himself, who
avows his love and swears fidelity. At this point
Count Walter enters, upbraids his son, insults
Luisa, and is at once braved by old Miller. For a
♦assal thus to beard his suzerain is punishable by
death, and the old man is removed in chains. In re-
taliation, Rodolpho whispers to his father that he
is acquainted with his secret, which is nothing less
than that he has obtained his title and estates by
murdering his elder brother.

The second act developes the "Krafr," or in-
trigue. A plot is contrived by Count Walter and
Wurm to separate the lovers. The third act em-
bodies the tragic catastrophe. Luisa and her lover
die by poison.

The distribution of parts is as follows :—Luisa
Miller, Mdlle. Piccolomini; the Duchess Frederica,
Mme. Alboni ; Rodolpho, Signor Giuglini ; Count
Walter, Signor Vialetti ; Miller, Signor • Beneven-
tano ; and Wurm, Signor Castelli.
Piccolomini, in the character of Luisa, has more
than sustained her high reputation as a tragic
actress in' parts depending for their interest on the
development of the natural emotions and sympa-
thies of the female heart. She was ably seconded
throughout by Giuglini, who acted with even mole
than his usual verve and.spirit, and by Beneven-
tano, who, if he continues these successes, willsoon
monopolise the " heavy feathers" of the opera
stage, thus attesting the versatility which, at the
same time, makes him the best Don Giovanni we
have.

The scenery of the opera is admirable, and the
dresses new and brilliant. Supported as it is by
the superlative talent of Alboni, Piccolomini, and
Giuglini, it will probably " run" till the close of
the season.