The Sun.
London, England, 1858-08-16 00:00:00

ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA.

The season which terminated on Saturday night
was rendered chiefly remarkable by the inauguration
of the new and magnificent theatre, the return of
Tamberlik, the secession of Formes, the new treat-
ment of Mozart's "Don Giovanni" with an extra-
ordinary " cast " the production of one novelty,
Herr Flotaw's " Martha," the adaptation of Herold's
" Zampa," and the advent of a very charming and ac-
complished danseuse, Madlle. Zina.
The theatre is, of course, a great addition to the metro-
polis, and its artistic and social value, :combined with the
fact that it was erected in a wonderfully brief space of time,
will suffice to render the Royal Italian Opera season of 1838
memorable, and honourably perpetuate the name and fame
of the spirited founder and director of "New Covent-

garden."
Signor Tamberlik's reappearance in the character of
Otello, after an absence of two years, was very
enthusiastically welcomed. All the energy and dig-
nity, the vocal skill and trembling, which be for-
merly displayed, were again present, and so, too, was
the famous C sharp. Signor Tamberlik's subsequent im-
personations of Pollio (which nobody plays so well) and
Don Ottavio served to sustain his reputation until near
the end of the season, when he materially increased it by a.
very admirable performance of Zampa.
Madlle. Zina bounded at once into the good graces of
the general public, whilst she charmed the most critical
in the ballet-divertissement entitled " La Bresilienne."
Nladlle. Zina proved in this instance, as she sabsequently
did in others, bow happily she can combine grace
with aplomb—agility with picturesqueness ; and that she
is a highly expressive pantomimist, no less than a skilful
dancer.
"Don Giovanni" had, we believe, been long an " idea "
of Signor Marie's; and he probably looked forward plea-
santly to the moment of its realisation. It was an idea in
which there was more enthusiasm than judgment, more
confidence than reverence, more of Mario than of Mozart.
The result, however, was curious, for it showed us as little of
the singer as it did of the composer—both having been sadly
crippled and disfigured by the arranger, Signor Mary, to no
purpose. The result, then, was more than curious—it was
quite unsatisfactory ; and the best friends of the astonished
and disappointed tenor could do no more than vindicate his
right to spoil Mozart's music upon the very reasonable
ground that other singers, including Mr. W. Harrison, bad
done so before him, and compose epitaphs upon the fatal
performance in the softest and most obliging terms they
could find. But if Signor Mario was unfortunate as Don
Giovanni, he was quite the reverse as the hen of Herr
Flotow's " Martha," a character which will doubtless be
permanently added to his repertory, if only for the rap-
turous and exquisitely graceful expression he throws into
the ballad "O, Marta—Marta," whilst his performances of
Raoul in " Les Huguenots," Count Almaviva ("

Barbiere"), Manrico (" I 1 Trovatore"), &c., again pre-
sented
all their great and well-known attractions.
Madame Grisi kept her ground once more; which is
saying much, considering what uncommonly high ground
it is, and that she reached it a great many years ago. The
pleasures of memory were mingled with present enjoyment.
Gratitude for past hours of delight, respect for an artist con-
secrated by the voice of the public, appealed successfully
against any adverse decisions of criticism, and gave addi-
tional interest and value to every still great performance. As
Norma (" Lucrezia Vslentina ("Les Hugue-
nots"), Leonora (" IlTrovatore"), Dcsdemona(" Otello"),
and Donna Anna (" Il Don Giovanni"), Madame Grisi
again appeared, and with all the success which has attended
these familiar impersonations during the last few years.
Madame Bosio, who has been steadily improving in her
art ever since her first visit to this country, distinguished
herself more honourably than ever during the past season.
As a singer, indeed, it would be difficult to exceed the point
of excellence she has already reached. Her brilliant fluency,
refined taste, and fascinating grace were most strikingly
displayed in the operas of " Fra Diavolo," " Ii Barbiere
di Siviglia," " Martha," and " La Traviata ;" whilst her
Zcrlina in "Il Don Giovanni" was remarkable for the
exhibition of purer and more musicianly qualities.
Signor Gardoni had, unhappily for the public, but little
to do throughout the season; but still, fortunately for him,
be did it so well as fully to sustain his great reputation, and
excite a general feeling of regret that he was not allowed to
appear more frequently.
Madame Didi(!e, with her skilful singing and highly in-
telligent acting, her personal prettiness, and graceful
deportment, did all the justice in her power to the page
in " Les Huguenots" and other parts entrusted to her.
Signor Tagliaßco began the season hoarsely, but soon re-
covered the use of his sonorous and metallic organ, and sang
as well as ever. His acting, too, was again marked by un-
flagging spirit, and careful attention to the details of " stage
business."

Signor Ronconi not only renewed his old successes
as Figaro (" 11 Barbiere ") Lord Alcash ("Fra Dia-
cola "), but materially increa:?.d his fame by two new
efforts, namely, his admirable impersonations of Leporello
(" II Don Giovanni") and Dandolo (" Zampa").
Signori Graziani, Zelger, Polonini, and Neri-Baraldi
also distinguished themselves honourably in the various
parts entrusted to them, and the same praise is likewise due
to Madlle. Marai.
A word of special eulogy is clue to Madlle. Parepa in her
quality of debalante—for, having appeared but once
before (at the commencement of last sewon), she
can scarcely be considered in any other light—and
it should be recorded that her success as the heroine of
Herold's " Zampa" was complete.
The nonappearance of another young singer, Miss Vic-
toire Balfe, who made so brilliant a debut last year as
Amina in "La Sonnambula," created some surprise and
disappointment, especially as her name bad been announced
in the prospectus for the season just terminated. We trust
Mr. Gye may think fit to let us hear more of this accom-
plished young lady next year.
Great credit is due to all parties connected with the
admirable miss en scene of the various works produced,
especially as their various tasks must have been beset by
difficulties of no ordinary kind. The chorus, ably directed
by Mr. Smythson, was, as in former years, highly efficient,
and the magnificent band, under the masterly guidance of
Mr. Costa, formed, as usual, one of the leading attractions
of the season.
Their Royal Highnesses the Duchess of Cambridge and
the Princess Mary and her Royal Highness the Grand
Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz honoured the performance
with their presence on Saturday evening. Among the
fashionable company also present were—His Excellency
the Ambassador of France. the Duke and Duchess of Wel-
lington, the Duchess of Inverness, the Earl of Bessborough,
the Earl and Countess of Westmoreland, Count Louis Corti,
the Earl Beauchamp, Count Chotek, Lord Chelmsford,
Lady Dufferin, Lady Lawley, Lady Ernest Bruce, Lord and
Lady Burghersh, Lady Georgiana Codrington, Lord Duf-
ferin, Lady Caroline Lascelles and the Misses Lascelles,
Hon. Mr. Coke, Hon. Cecil Duncombe, Hon. Mrs. Cust,
Hon. Frederick Nyng, Hon. Otway Toler, the Hon. Major
Cal thorpe, Hon. Henry Elliott, Hon. Spencer Ponsonby, Col.
Martyn, Capt. Peel, Capt. Forde, Capt. Farquharson, Major
Ogle Hunt, Col. Haygartb, Capt. Wynne, Capt. Pothering-
ham, Mr. and Mrs. William Russell and Mss Russell, Mr.
Greville, Mr. Vyner, Mr. Forster, M.P., Mri Napier Sturt,
M.P., Mrs. George Carpenter, Mr. Billing, Mr. Norbury,
Mr. Edwin James, Mr. and Mrs. Howell, Mr. Penney, Mr.
and Mrs. Newton Scott, Mrs. Graham Smitb, Mr. A. K.
SAoirm.byrae,nell,lrm. Cr.hcasla.yStaornto,rmiusr,.
Woodford, &c•°Mort:,
11‘,11,Ar.11:31
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ROYAL DRAMATIC DRAMATIC COLLEGE.-T hechcaiorlmenaenl,
thße.
Webster, Esq., has received a letter from
Hon. Sir Charles Phipps, K.C.8., dated Potsdam,
August 13, announcing her Majesty's gracious in-
tention of becoming the Patroness of the Dramatic
College, and enclosing a cheque for one hundred
pounds as her donation thereto.
TIIE CHANNEL ISLANDS SUBMARINE TELEGRAPH.
—The electric telegraph is now continuously completeand
d
from Portland to Alderney, Alderney to Gtu•rnsey,
thence to Jersey, where the end of the wire ii made fast on
the shore in a small inlet of the cliff at Grosnez. The inland
portion of the wire is still unfinished, and only about two
miles of cutting and five of laying remain to be accom-
plished. The cutting will be completed by about Tuesday,
t Countessl n niloil
iulsss
Excellencyl
Excellency
line
ec
ren l
and the placing the wire will soon after be accomplished.
Last Thursday night the wire was at St. Peter's, and as two
or three miles can be laid in a day, it Is probable the con-
s 1
nce will
e tfonob
rrcelt
hareadyterthehceeo
passing ofllrni
anrneunisstths.hi Wednesday,
ll i
s
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the arrangements will be completed to transmit messages to
London and back.
return
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few days gahnt
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Minister
Minister at
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The Du
of Carlisle and the other and has joined the Earl
members of the. family At caetle
ilowArd, York§bire, from sound.