The Sun.
London, England, 1858-04-01 00:00:00

HER MA

"EdTBE.

This great lyric theatre will be reopened for the regu-
lar season shortly after Easter. During the recess, Mr.
Lumley (we need scarcely inform those acquainted with
his energy and enterprising spirit) has not been idle. He
has visited every part of the Continent in search of
attractive novelties, and secured the services of several
artists who, if report speak truly, will prove most valu-
able additions to a company already rich in talent of
the highest order. These continental celebrities, new to
the London public, are—Madlle. Lucioni, contralto ;
Madame Ghioni, prima donna comprimaria ; Signor
Mattioli, high baritone ; Madlle. Orsini, prima
ballerina, from La Fenice, at Venice ; M. Caron
and M. Durand, dancers, from the Parisian Acad6-
mie ; and Madlle. Theresa Miens, princi-
pal soprano of the Imperial Opera, Vienna. Of the
last-named artiste we have heard the most favour-
able accounts. Rumour de-cribes her as a singer and
actress of the highest order, possessing a genuiue soprano
voice of extraoriinary power anti comoaBs, and rewari,
able personal attractions. Her repertoire is unusually
extensive, for she has appeared in Germany with the
greatest succe,s in no less than 17 operas, belonging to
widely different schools—namely, " Lucrezia B.,rja,"
/sr.)rma," "Il Trovatore," " Ennui," " Les Vespres
Siciliennes," "Oberon," " Don Giovanni," " Le Nuzzo
di Figaro," "Die Zsuberfl "Entlubrung aus dew
t Serail," "Robert le D:able," " Euryalithe," " Der
Frei-chutz," "Iphigeuia in Antis," " Jes.onda," "Fer-
dinand Cortez," and "Les Huguenots," in which later
work she has gained special fame as the representative of
Valentina. Althoug h,judging from this longlist of operas,
MadlluTitiens must posse',,s great versatility,itap peat s that
her forte lies in the gusto grande, and that if the celebrated
artiste be great in toe ligtit comositions of the modern
Italian i,cdool, she is still greater in the more classic pro-
ductions of her compatriots, the Germans, for Madlle.
Titieus is a German (born at LI ,mburg), although Hun-
garian by name and descent. The engagement of this

lady may, it is presumed, lead to the production of some
very fine operas which have been long neglected, or are
totally new to our stage. May we hope for the long-
promised " Iphigenia" of G!uck at last? In any case we
are sure that the new prima donna will be introduced to
the London public in one of her very best parts, namely,
Valentina in "Les Huguenots," which has been for
some months in preparation at her Majesty's Theatre
—and, with new scenery, dresses, and decorations, a
powerful cast of the principal characters, band and
chorus improved and augmented, will be one of the
earliettt novelties of the approaching season, Of the
new contralto, Madlle. Lucioni, we have heard that she
possesses a fine fresh voice, and acts extremely well,
while report says as much for Signor Mattioli, with this
addition, that his florid execution is particularly good.
Ot these established favourites, Madlle,
Sptzia, Madlle. Ortolani, Signor Giuglini, Sig-
nor Belletti, Signor Beneventano, Signor Bnlar, Signor
Vialetti, and Madame Alboni, all of whom w II re-appear
in the course of the season, we need say but little.
Signor Giuglini is to personate on the opening night, for
the first time in England, a character which he has

already sustained with the greatest success in Milan and
other Italian cities—namely, Raoul de Nangis, in "Les
Huguenots," and to which he is certainly cadable of
Join ample justice. Madlle. Ortolani—w hose admirable

delineation of Donna Elvira, in " Don Giovanni," is
doubtless fresh in the recollection of all opera-goers—
will perform for the first time on any stage the part of
the Queen of Navarre. The entire ca;t of •he principal
characters in Meyerbeer's famous opera will, in short,
be most probably as follows :—Valentina, Madlle.
Talons ; tho Queen, Madlle. Ortolani ; the Page, Madlle.
Lucioni ; Raoul de Nangis, Signor Giuglini ; Marcel,
Signor Vialetti ; Nevere, Signor Aldeghieri ; and Count
St. Bris, Signor Belletti.
Another highly interesting novelty will be the first
appearance of that universal favourite, Madlle. Picco-
lornini, as the heroine of Verdi's "Lulea Miller," the
libretto of which is founded upon Schiller's celebrated
drama, "Kabal uud Liebe." Tee work is quite new to
this ceuutry, and the principal character, if it but faith-
fully resemble the charming conception t f the great Ger-
Joao dramatist, must be perfecqy well adapted to the
genius of Mdlle. Piccolowini. Balfe's " Bohemian Girl"
is also to be repeated. Of Mdlle. Speza we only hear
tnat she is to appear in her " favourite parts." The
public will doubtless always be glad to hear this admir-
able singer and actress as Leonora in "La Favorite,"
Leonora in "Il Trovatore," Donna Anna in " Don
Giovanni," and in other parts, by her admirable per •
fermance of which she has earned celebrity in this coun-
try ; but, nevertheless, Mdlle. Sprzia'e numerous ad-
mirers would probably like to view her rare talent
through some new medium ; and as novelty seems to be
a strong point in Mr. Lumley's present schemes, we
trust he will not forget the strong claims of Mdlie. Spezia
to a participation in all the advantages it may confer.
The ballet department will be unusually attractive, for
no less than five first-rate dancers—Madlle. Pocchini,
Madlle. Marie Taglioni, Madlle. Orsini, IVladile. Bos-
chetti, and Madame R.e-ati, besAee those lesser but stiii
very brilliant stare, Mesdames Rolla, Pasquale, and
Morlecchi—are already engaged. Signor Bonetti will
reeume the directorship of the orchestra immediately
after the ternainetion of his present engagement at the
Italian Opera of Paris, and in the mean lose his impor-
tant post is to be filled by Signor Arditi. The band and
chorus, as we have already stated, is to be augmented
and improved, and amongst the valuable engagements
already effected for the f firmer we may mention those of
M. Lavigne, the celebrated oboe p aver, M. Schreurs,
ano M. Duhem, the almost equally renowned performer,
on i he violin and truinet.
The scenic epertneent will again be under the direc-
tion of Mr. Mar,hall, and Madame Copere will, as in
former years, superintend the costumes.

ROYAL CR .'t,i.roayz GA L DZYS.

These gardens, which, apart from the variety of en-
tertainments they offer to visitors, form in themselves
one of the most attractive objects to the population of
London—open for the coming holidays on Good Friday
and Easter Sunday. The opportunity fit promenade,
of which the general public so readily avail themselves,
will he afforded ; and on Monday the usual a-nusements,
consisting of a vocal and instrumental concert, a comic
ballet, an al fresco ball on the illuminated Chinese plat-
form, and an early display of fireworks, will be given,
interluded with a variety of minor but interesting ex-
hibitions. We uederstand the proprieter has taken
advantage of the fine weather, and this year will pre
sent the property throughout in a state nearer approach-
ing to the finish c f summer than the partial prepara-
tion of.spring. On the Friday the Aehburnbam pavilion
will be occupied by a party of gentlemen who have
associated for the purpose of testing the variousndquaa
H as
of fowling pieces. Much interest has been ex-
cited by writers on the field on this subject, a
we understand that entries are made from many parts
of the United Kingdom by scientific and sporting gen-
tlemen, we are inclined to believe the gun trial wilt be
well attended. The targets will be placed in the pavi-
lion, and the public will be admitted to reserved places
at a moderate charge. •
The improvements and additions contemplated for
the summer are said to be very important, and the
new paintings, statues, and transparencies principally
relate to India and its heroes.
The lovers of American flowers will no doubt be
gratified to find that the permanent season will be in-
augurated by a repetition of Messrs. Waterer and
Godfrey's show, which two years since secured such
distinguished patronage.

THE PYNE AND HARRISON CONCERTS.—The third or
these entertainments was given at Drury-lane last night.
Miss Louisa Pyne who had previous;y been prevented
from singing by a heavy domestic affliction, now ap-
peared, and was welcomed by the audience with the
warrne(t demonstrations of enthusiasm: The concert
was excellent. A mong several fine instrumental pieces
there was Monnelea's concerto in E—the once im-
mensely popular piece which contains the "Grenadier's
March," played by Miss,Arabella Goddard, who, is addi-
tion to her superb performance, had the merit cf reviv-
ing a most masterly work, which has fallen into un-
deserved neglect. Tbere was an ample selection from
"The It -se of Camille," and a numier of miscellaneous
vocal pieces, well chosen, and wel. performed. It is a
subject of regret that the name of that very charming
artiste, Ma.dlle. Finoli, is no longer in the programme.
We still hope again to hear her before the tertntnation
of the series.

DISMISSAL OF THE SECRETARY OF THE GREAT NORTH-
ERN RAILWAY.—It is understood that Mr. Mowatt, the
secretary of the Great Northern Rail say Cumpanv, was
dismissed yesterday from his position in that establish.
ment. The circuensiances connected with this step are
likely, it is said, to be fully laid_ before the publio by Mr.
Mo watt, who was recently de-ignated by Mr. Denison,
the chairman, as one of the most able officers of the com-
pany; but towards whom a sudden change of feeling
seems to have occurred.-7imes.
REPRESENTATION OF GREENWICH.—it is rumoured,
and generally believed throughout the borough of Green-
wich, that a vacancy will very shortly occur in its repre-
sentation, consequent upon the unfortunate position of
one of the prrsont members, Mr. Townsend. For several
days past it had been advertised that the whole of the
furniture at Mr. Tuwnsend's residence would be sold by
auction, under a judge's order. Such sale, whion was
fixed for yesterday, did not, however, take place, in con-
sequence of subsequent proceedings in the Court of Bank-
ruptcy. Such is the prevalent belief in an approaching
election, that the friends of Mr. M. Chambers are again
on the qui vivo, and several committees are in existence
for securing the return of that gentleman on any future
occasion. _

RUNAWAY BANKRUPTS.—Complaints continue to be
made of the ease with which defaulters in England escape
their creditors by availing thern,elves of the Scotch
Bankruptcy Law. A respectable firm, who had previously
suffered in a similar manner, have just been defeated in
an attempt to counteract a movement of this kin I'he
debtor was a London attorney, against whom they ob-
tained a judgment. lie claimed, however, to be pro-
tected by virtue of a sequestration obtained a few months
previously in Scotland, and which he had been able to
manage without opposition, since, while his real place of
business was Bucklersbury, he was described in the offi-
cial notices as of ,Stornaway, in the county of Ross,
without any mention of his profession or occupation. The
English Court was accordingly applied to to overrule his
plea, on the ground that he had not been fitly and suffi-
ciently described, but the result was unfavourable. It
was decided that he had obtained his final discharge,
and thus new confidence will be given to that numerous
class of adventurers who cultivate a knowledge of the
law to avail themselves of the endlei-e facilities it offers
for securing immunity to rogues, and punishing tuose
who for the sake of public morality may endeavour to
bring them to their deserts.—Times Oily Article,