The Sun.
London, England, 1858-04-06 00:00:00

ADELPHI.

"The Poor Strollers" (in which Mr. Webster and
Madame Celeste made their rentr6e, and were welcomed
with the usual cordiality), was followed by the Easter
novelty—" A grand oriental ,pectacular operatic drama"
in two act 4, called "The Caliph of Bazthid," and stated
to be founded on 13oieldieu's opera of that name. It is,
in truth, just Boieldieu's opera, enlarged in dimensions
by the introduction of a good deal of Adelphi humour,
and with some porion. of B)ieldieu's music cut out to
make room for several modern interpolations which,
having an incongruous effect, might well have been
spared. The piece, however, was admirably got up,
went off with the greatest spirit, was most heartily ap-
plauded, and will prove a highly acceptable addition to
the Adelphi repertory.
Consiiering that the Adelphi does not profess to be a
musical theatre, the excellence of the performance was
surprising. The principal parts were not only well acted
' but well sung. The cnarac.:er of the heroine, Zutulba,
was sustained by Miss Roden, a young lady who made
her first appearance (we understand) with a success which
may well be called triumphant. Miss Roden is tall and
has a fine figure, with features not regularly handsome,
but sweet ar d intelligent ; and there is a corresponding
sweetness in the tones of her voice both in speaking and
singing. She is evidently quite without experience on
the stage, and her movements consequently were timid
and constrained, but without awkwardness. Indeed,
her whole demeanour had a natural and ladylike grace
which was very interesting. Notwithstanding the con-
straint with which she trod the stage, she spoke with
spirit and elegance, and when she came to sing she
showed that, so far from being a novice, she is an accom-
plished artist, whose talents have received the highest
cultivation. Her voice is a perfect soprano, ❑ot of
great strength or volume, but exquisitely soft, of
extraordinary compass, and as perfectly in tune as
any voice we have ever heard. She sings with
unimpeachable purity of style, possesses finished
execution, and her shake, especially, is of singular
clearness and brilliancy. To these gifts she adds the
highest gift of all, expression: feeling herself, she makes
others feel. In short, it is long since we have witnessed
a mote interesting debuf than that of Miss Roden.

Another debut; nt was Mr. Rolfe, a tenor, who had the
part of the Caliph, and acted andi sang in a manner
which gained the favour of the audience. Miss Mary
Kelley played the part of a soubrette, with her usual
arch vivacity, and sang some pretty music quite charm-
ingly. Mr. Paul Bedford, who is a sound musician and
an excellent singer, as we!l as low comedian, unrivalled
in his own peculiar way, filled the part of the Cadi with
Adelphi fun, and, at the same time, did justice to the
composer. The "spectacular" part of the entertainment
was capital. There was some beaut,ful oriental scenery,
and the costumes, decorations, pageants and dances were
not only brilliant, but in excellent to-te.
The first appearance of Miss Roden is thus favourably
❑oticed by our contemporaries :
( Prom the Times.)

The 'Caliph of Bagdad," trout the quality of the
music, and the admirable manner in which the chief
parts were played, was eminently successful. To that
result no one contributed in larger proportion than Miss

Roden, a young lady who appeared last night for the
firi-t time on any stage. Eler voice, though not power-
ful, is remarkably sweet, and she sings with much taste
and feeling. She did ample jusiice to the character of
Zetulba, and well merited the applai.Pe so frequentl.)
bestowed up,n her by the audience, as well as the nu-
merous bouquets which graced the triumph at the con-
clusion of the performance.
(Prom, the Morning Post)

"The Caliph of B tg,elad ,as generally well pei-
brmed ; but will the dcbutqnt of the evening,
Roden, if it was only because I- he was a debutant, claims
a few special word 4 of t.raise and enc turagement. Mi
Roden possesses a very sweet and sympathetic sopran
voice, and has evidently been trained in a good scboot,
although nervousness very naturally prevented her doint,
ample justice to herself on this occasion, and waking