The Sun.
London, England, 1867-06-19 00:00:00

Share

HER MAJESrY's THEATRE.

Last evening was a crowning triumph for Mdlle.
Christine Nilsson. She appeared again as Margue-
rite, and on the occasion she proved her right to
rank amongst the greatest artistes the lyric drama
has yet produced. The comparison of the new
singer with other great vocalists of course is ine-
vitable, but that can be fearlessly encountered with-
out in the slightest degree diminishing the unmis-
takable success Mdlle. Nilsion has achieved. She
seems to be the perfect embodiment of the
Gretscheu of Goethe—her slight and fragile figure,
her pale golden tresses are quite in keeping with the
creation, and an artless, natural demeanour all give
an additional charm to the character with which,
from henceforth, she will be eminently inseparably
connected. Favoured by nature with a voice of rare
and uncommon beauty, the accomplished lady uses
it with a skill and taste that is perfectly charm-
ing. She avoids altogether that disagreeable
vibrato which is so greatly used by many
who claim to rank amongst our greatest singers.
Mdlle. Nilszon's notes are clear, full, and exqui-
sitely in tune, whilst her execution is as easy
and delightful as the most ardent lover of music
could desire. " That her range is extensive is cer-
tain, for during the opera her voice at one time
touched the lower B flat, and at another reached D
in alt, with remarkable ease. The few bars allotted
to Marguerite in the second act were sung most
charmingly, but the great triumph, of course, was
in the succeeding act, in which we have the quaint
old ballad " C'era un re, un re di Thule,"
and the brilliant aira known as the jewel
song, both of which were perfect and absolute
triumphs, the latter being most enthusiastically
encored. The duct at the close of the act was
given with such exquisite expression and fervour
that it produced positively a great excitement
amongst the aristocratic, and generally somewhat
cool and quiet audience, and Mdlle. Nilsson had to
be led forward twice by Gardoni before silence
could be obtained. In the cathedral scene her
horror at the mockery of Mephistopheles was
intense, and her vocalisation was unsurpassable
and unparalleled. Marguerite's dying. appeal for
heavenly pardon, " 0 del ciel angeli im-
mortal," was given with a refined purity
and intense aspiration, that formed a worthy climax
to a performance that throughout was characterised
by earnestness of intention and thoroughly poetical
perception of the purest and most touching aspect
of the character, added to those sympathetic powers
of vocal expression and finished execution which
we have already stated are possessed by Mdlle.
Nilsson. Gardoni sang the music of Faust with great
taste, but Pandolfini, as; Mephistopheles, was per-
haps a trifle too comic in his idea of the character.
Santley's Valentine is so well known* and appre-
ciated that reference to it is perfectly needless.
Madame Trebelli Bettini sang the music allotted
to Siebel charmingly, and in the minor parts Marta
and Wagner were well supported by Mdlles.
Bauermeister and Bossi.

Every seat' in the immense theatre was occupiod
at the commencement of the opera.

WIMBLEDON PRIZE MEETING.

The following are the days on which the prizes
will be competed for :

The shooting will commence on Monday, the Bth
of July, at 10.30 a.m., on other days at 9.15 a.m.
Monday, Bth.—Oxford and Cambridge Bronze
Medal ; Middlesex Bronze Medal ; Tower Hamlets
Bronze Medal ; All Corners' County Match ; the
Bass Prize; fourth series, extra prizes.
Tuesday, 9th.—His Royal Highness the Prince
of Wales's Prize; St. George's Challenge Vase, Ist
stage ; International Enfield Trophy, 3 p.m. ;
Alexandra, Ist stage, 500 yards ; the Bass Prize ;
fourth series, extra prizes.

Wednesday, 10th.—Queen's Ist stage, 200 yards ;
Alexandra, Ist stage, 200 yards ; Daily Telegraph ;
extra prizes.

Thursday, 11th.--Queen's, Ist stage, 500 yards ;
Alexandra, 500 yards, Ist stage ; Daily Telegraph;
extra prizes.

Friday 12th.—Queen's, Ist stage, 600 yards;
Alexandra, Ist stage, 600 yards ; Albert, Ist stage,
200 yards ; Carbine, Ist stage ; the Martin's Chal-
lenge Cup.

Saturday, 13th.—China Challenge Cup ; Belgian
Challenge Cup, volley firing ; the Martin's Cup ;
Albert, Ist stage ; extra prizes.
Monday, loth,—Alexandra, 21 stage, 9 15 a_n3 ;
Dragon Cup, 10 30 ; Albert, Ist stage ; Windmill,
Ist stage ; special prizes for Belgians.
Tuesday, 16th.—Queen's, 2d stage ; Albert, Ist
stage ; Windmill, Ist stage ; Any Rifle 'Wimbledon
Cup ; special prizes for Belgians.

Wednesday, 17th.—Albert, 2d stage ;
Ist stage ; Five-grooved Rifle (probably) ; Rifle
Oaks; Enfield Wimbledon Cup; Chancellor's Plate,
Oxford and Cambridge ; special prizes for Belgians
(if necessary).

Thursday,lBth.—Elcho Challenge Shield ; Wind-
mill, 2d stage ; Rifle Oaks ; extra prizes.
Friday, 19th.—His Royal Highness the Duke of
Cambridge's Prize, second stage of breech-loading
prize ; Consolation Prizes ; Henry Peck Prizd ;
Dudley Prize ; Earwig, 2d stage ; extra prizes (if
necessary).

The Enfield Association Cup will be shot for
every day during the first week ; the Any Rifle
Association from Saturday, the 13th, to Thursday,
the 18th.

The first stage of the breechloading prizes will be
open from the Bth to the 18th inclusive.
Swiss Cartons prizes, the Running prizes, and
the Earwig, Ist stage, will be open from the Bth to
the 19th inclusive.

The Ashburton Challenge Shield and the
Spencer Cup will be competed fur either on the
16th or the 18th ; early notice of the day finally
fixed upon will be given.
Pools and Running Deer as usual.
Pool and sighting tickets shall be available
throughout the meeting.
The entries will close on the 22d inst.

TIIE KEBLE COLLEGE AT OXFORD.—The nego-
tiations for the purchase of a piece of ground at Oxford
for the Keblo College aro nearly completed. The spot
selected is the property of St. John's College, in the gar-
dens nearly opposite the museum overlooking the parks.
The architect will be Mr. Butterfield, and a commence-
ment will probably be made without much longer delay.