The Sun.
London, England, 1858-02-08 00:00:00

HER MAJESPY'S TEEATRE.

The Italian version of Mr. Balfe's " Bohemian
Girl"—originally prepared for Bologna, under the
supervision of the composer—was produced at her
Majesty's Theatre, on Saturday night, with well-
merited SUCCC3S.

Madlle. Piccolomini "created" the part of
Arline at Bologna ; and it was therefore not, at all
surprising that she should exhibit so thorough a
familiarity both with the music and the histrionic
requirements of the character. Her impersonation
of the suppositious gipsy was perfect ; while the
contrast between her unrestrained and joyous de-
meanour in the first two acts and the melancholy
reserve S 3 consummately assume 1 when the truth
is revealed that Arline is the daughter of Count
Arnheim—who has just condemned her for the
presumed crime of robbery—exhibited the subtlest
artistic discrimination. The singing of Madlle.
Piccolomini was equally to be admired from ano-
ther point of view. Whether in the simple, half
English, half Spanish billed, " I dreamt that I
dwelt in marble halls" (Italics, "In una reggia
aplendida"), or in the new romanza, composed for
her by Mr. Balfe, at the beginning of the third act,
" Sempre terns. ii mi pensiero," which is in a
more florid and " demonstrative" style, her vocali-
sation was equally pure and effective. In the first
Madlle. Piccolomini was rapturously encore I, and
in the second as rapturously applauded. But this
was not all. Every finesse of the character was
seized and made the most of by the gifted and im-
pulsive Italian. Mr. Balfe Maisel mast have
owned ttat, for the first time on the English stage
a wholly "ideal" Arline was before him.
Signor Giuglini, in Thaddeu, obtained even a
greater success. In the first and second acts the
hero of the opera is somewhat insignificant ; but in
the third he has the lion's share both of the vocal
and dramatic interest. And here Signor Giuglini
proved himself more than worthy of his reputation,
which is saying a vast deal. The familiar romance,
" Wht n other lips and other hearts" (Tu in'atui, Ali
si, bell'anitna), was sung with exquisite sentiment,
and encored twice with a,ccelatnations of applause.
" The fair laud of Poland" exhibited the fine
declamatory powers of Signor Giuglini in a no leis
forcible light, and this, too, was redemanded by
the whole audience. A greater success in a new
part was probably never obtained. The next
character of importance—that of Count Arnheirn
("die heavy father," to use the familiar language of
the coulisses) was sustained with the same excel-
lence ; and it will b-c readily believed that the ac-
consplished Signor Belletti sang the well-known
ballad of " Thsi heart bowed down" (D'Arlina, mi
rannnentati) with the utmost feeling and expression.
He was honoured by an uproarious encore.
The opera was carefully exesuted throughout, the
band and chorus, by their zeal and intelligence,
efficiently supporting the efforts of the principal
singers. The whole performance passed off with
immense eclat. Madle. Piccolomini, Signor
Giuglini, and Signor Bellotti were more than once
brought before the curtain ; and at the end, when
due honour had been paid to the chief singers, the
author himself wins loudly summoned. After some
delay Mr. Balfe appeared before the footlights, and
was cheered " to the echo."