The Sun.
London, England, 1858-04-16 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, APRIL 16, 1858,

HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

Our expectation that the grand opera of Les
Huguenots would be more perfectly given on the
second representation, was thoroughly realised last
evening ; when a full and enthusiastic house con-
firmed the brilliant success of the opening night.
Madlle. Titiens had lost all the slight trace of ner-
vousness which even the greatest artiste experiences
as a debut before a London audience, and poured forth
her gushing tone of song in rich freedom. The qua-
lity of her voice is superb, and its power completely
under control. The upper register of her notes is
singularly broad in intonation, and capable of
yielding the extreme of the range without impress-
ing the listener with the slightest notion of strain-
ing or effort. The way in which Madlle.
Titiens holds on C in alt, the precision and
distinctness of her chromatic passages, and the
infallible clearness of her transitions, remind us
somewhat of the glories of Malibran and Pasta.
The extent of her capabilities is vast, for her dra-
matic claims as an actress demand commensurate
appreciation with her rank as a vocalist. We be-
lieve that her • Fidelie and Lucretia Borgia
will fully equal—if not excel—her Valentina,
and wo earnestly hope that opportunity will
be afforded of testing the validity of our faith. A
new ballet divertissement was produced, entitled
Calisto ; ou le Renvoi de l' Amour, in which Madlle.
P,cchini appeared as the nymph Calisto, and fas-
cinated those who are susceptible of the influence
exerted by Terpsichore.
The dancing of this lady is florid and sparkling
in its character, and her action elegant and
graceful. Some of her steps are wonderful, and
calculated to astonish where they may fail to de-
light. Madlle. Annetta made her debut as Venus,
and elicited a fair share of admiration and applause.
The rest of the "fantastic toed" agents were
supported by M. Caron, who is great in the twist-
ing and twirling style of choregraphy ; Madiles.
Pasquale, Morlacchi, and Bioletti. Her Majesty
agaiu honoured the performance with her presence,
appearing much gratified with the singing of the
prima donna.

ST. MARTIN'S BALL.

MR. CHARLES DICKENS.

Our great and truly vernacular writer road, last even-
ing, in this hall, Lis "Christmas Carol." He gave his
gratuitous services in aid of the funds of the Childrens'
Hospital. The combined attraction of the transcendani
merits of Mr. Dickens, and of the claims of the charity,
resulted in an audience literally packed as close as her-
rings. _ _

And what an intellectual treat awaited the audience

Mr. Dickens enters so completely into the lights and
shades of his characters, to whom he has given "a local
habitation and a name"—is such a consummate master
of the various infections of the voice—does so abound
in that geniality which literally radiates from him as
from a centre, and possesses such a hold en our sympa-
thies, that his audience is perforce spell-bound. Hie
style is therefore the antipodes of the mannerist, and
yet he never degenerates into caricature. Mr. Dickens
indeed commands at once our sunniest laughter, and our
least selfish tears. No words can describe the effect of
Mr. Dickens' sway over an audience ; to be appreciated
it must be felt, and we congratulate the community at
large on the fact that Mr. Dickens intends to instruct
and charm the public—his public—which is the whole
empire, by giving a series of three readings at St.
Martin's Hall, commenoing with his "Cricket on the
Hearth," on Thursday evening, the 29th inst.