The Sun.
London, England, 1858-03-01 00:00:00

JIEB MAJESTY'S' THEATRE.

The brief extra season, at reduced prices, which was
brought to a termination on Saturday night, has been
successful beyond Mr. Lumley's extremest hopes. Tie
last four nights' indeed, attracted such crowds as are
rarely witnessed at any theatre. Hundreds were turned
away last night from the pit and gallery, and every seat
in the house was let, in boxes, stalls, and amphitheatre.
The principal attractions, of course, were Mdlle. Picea.
lomini and Signor Giuglini. Much, however, may be
attributed to the cheap prices, and something to the
ensemble, which, though far from first rate, was yet good
in the main, and included the honourable names of
Atdlles. Spezia and Sannier—tbe latter a new corner of
the year, and Signors Belletti, Luchesi Vialetti, Aldig-
hiere, and Castelli—the last an artist of whom the
manager does net yet seem to know the real value.
The features of the past season have been the reviva
of " La Sormarnbula" for Mademoiselle Piccolomini--
rather a hazardous 'venture, but fully justified by the
result—and the production of Balfe's "Bohemian Girl"
in an Italian dress. Both these speculations proved
fortunate, although a priori success could hardly have
been anticipated for either. The other operas belonging
to the old reiverisoire —"La Traviata, Il Trovatore, Lucia
di Lammermoor, and La Figlia del Reggimento"—were
all successful, more particularly the first and third,
Mademoiselle Piccelomini's claims as a tragic artist
have been more universally coaceded than her claims ac
a comedian; a verdici, as may be gathered from
eur notices, in which we do not fully concur.
Although by no means her most perfect performance,
perhaps no part in which Mademoiselle Piccolomini has
appeared before a London public has been of more ad•
vantage to her than Lucia in "Lucia di Lammermoor,"
as showing how readily she can escape from that
brusperie of manner and excess of display with which
her least ardent admirers charge her acting, and
with what earnestness and docility she can assume
the bearing and deportment of a lady when it is
necessary. The demonstrative qualities exhibited in Zer.
ling and Maria are imperative according to Madlle.
Piccoloraini's views of the characters, and so we think.
Others, nevertheless, would prefer to witness these
favourite parts acted in a more gentle and lady-like
manner, which others again affirm that neither poet nor
musician intended. A mere walking lady on the stage
has ere now, by the force of her vocal talents alone,
sustained both parts admirably ; but Zerlina and Maria,
notwithstanding, should be acted as well as sung.
Judged by the singing, or more properly the voice,
merely, Donselli's Don Juan would be superior to
Tatnburini's, to which no one ever thought cf compar-
ing it. As Sir Roger de Coverley has it, " Much may
be said on both tides."

The immense success attending the last few nights has
induced Mr. Lumley to add three more performances to
the extra season, with which the series will in reality
conclude. These will be given on Tuesday, March
ltlth, Thursday, the 18th, and Saturday, the 20th.
The intervening time will be occupied with performances
at Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Amongst the numerous distinguished individuals hen.
outing the theatre with their presence on Thursday and
Saturday last, we remarked the following : —The Duchess
of Richmond and Lady Caroline G. Lennox, the Duchess
of Montrose, Lord Ward, the Marquis of Sligo, th•
Earl of Lonsdale' the Countess of Craven, the Earl and
Ccantess ofLanesborough, Earl and Countess of Bective,
Viscount legestre, M.P., Viscount Exmouth, Lord E.
Thynne, Lady Agnes Graham, Lady Des Veen', Lady
Clerk, Lady E. de Roe, Lady Boyle, Lady Howard ,
Lady Margaret Butler, Lady Colville, Lady Craven,
Lady Pigot, the Right Hon. W. G. Hayter, M.P., the
Hon. Otway Toler, Sir Ralph Howard, Bart., Sir Chas.
Des Vase; Sir C. M. Clarke, Bart., Colonel Torrent',
Major Pole, Captain Lyon, Captain de Roe, Mr. Wm.
Roupell, M.P., Mr. and Mrs. Dalrymple and party, Mr.
C. Roupell, Mr. D. Baillis, Mr. W. Deladeld, Mrs.
Prideaux Brune, Mr. Alpheus C. Billing.