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

(From the Morning Advertiser.)

The greatest anxiety was displayed by the numerous
and fashionable audience by which the theatre was
thronged, to ascertain how far the vocal powers of Miss
Roden would be equal to the musical attributes of the
part which she had to sustain ; and it is only a mere
act of justice to her to say, that they quite surpassed
the most sanguine expectations of her friends. Although
she appeared for the first time on any stage last evening,
her very first song, "The Bulbul's lament to the Rose,"
was a triumph of chaste, elegant, and finished vocalisa-
tion, which brought down the rapturous applause of the
audience. She was equally succes=ful iu her recitative
and air, " Ab, balmy peace ; oh, what rapture," which
she rendered charmingly ; and, indeed, her singing
throughout displayed the qualities of a most exquisitely
attuned soprano voice, not certainly cf an ex remedy
powerful range, but oue which possessed great El. xibility
and sweetnes,, the whole being set off by undoubted
artistic excellence. A sbo wt.r of bouquets greeted Miss
Roden at the close of the piece, when she was recalled
to receive the compliment which she so well deserved.

(From the Morning Herald )

In this opera a young lady, quite new to the stage
Miss Roden, made her debut, and, we are bound to add,
with success completely merited.

STRAND,

This theatre re-opened its doors last night with an
entirely new management and company, Miss S wan-
borough having
,become the lessee and manageress, a
circumstance which must be pleaAng to playgoers, as it
assures to them anothPr theatre where taste and talent
will provide agreeable fare far them. Everything
betokens that the most will he made of the
theatre, both before and behind the curtain. The
opening piece was a neat lit-le comedy by Mr. Stir-
ling Coyne, founded on a French anecdote, and entitled
" Nothing Venture, Nothing Win," Tae imbroglio on
which it rests is a variation of the never-ending Claude
Melnotte deception. Two young office:a take on then:-
selves to deceive a handsome and rich young countess,
by one of them assuming the name of the Duke de Ven-
dome, whose glory has enchanted her. Seeking her
treacherous lover in the camp, she falls in with the real
Duke, and the young captain is condemned to death for
his temerity and desertion of duty, but the lady saves
him, and betrays that she even loves, by marrying him
The piece is cleverly constructed, and took firm ho d of
the audience, especially in the second act, although it
laboured under the extraordinary disadvantage of Mr.
Swan borough having to read the principal part at an
hour's notice, owing to Mr. Leigh Murray's disability to
appear. Miss M. Oliver played the part of the Countess
very charmingly, and Mr. Belfart gave full effect to his
ithort but characteristic part of the Duke ; whilst Mr.
Rae threw as much comedy as was possible into the
part of an old mercenary servant. The piece, even under
its extraordinary disadvantages, was perfectly success-
ful, and was much applauded, and the author being vehe-
mently called for, appeared and made his acknowleeg-
meets to the audience.

A burlesque followed, founded on Fra Diavolo, by
Mr. Byrne, which was successful, and it contains some
pretty scenery, dresses, and dances. The old favourite
farce of the " Lottery Ticket" closed the performance,
though we must not forget to record that Miss Swan-
borough recited a smart address, written by Mr. Albert
Smith ; and also that " God save the Queen" was sur g
by the whole company. There seems every prospect of
success attending this spirited attempt to restore this
heatre to a high position amongst its compeers and
neighbours, and every one interested in theatrical affairs
must wish the honourable endeavour may prove success.
ful.