The Sun.
London, England, 1857-08-07 00:00:00

E SUN, I. NDON, FRIDAY 1-4,V FN (1, AUGUST 7, 1-t57

LINES LEASED AT FIXED RENTALS.

HER .MAJESTrS THEAT_Rte,

• C t deo i 0 I
A • oei .44)
t - 4
3.

Lensing
,3ompinles

Closin4 Prices
this day

Busin Ass
this day

The extra performances at this house terminated
last night;- with a miscellaneous entertainment,
which attracted a crowded audience. Thus ends the
season. of 1857—a season remarkable for the great
qnantity of new vocal talent made manifest to the
public. At the head of the triumphant candidates
for popular favour, we must of course, place
Signor Giuglini, than whom no artist ever at-
tain, d a more solid and legitirna'e success. The
time when Italy could coufer a musical reputation
has long gone by, and, consequently, though
Signor Guiglini brought with him ample -testimo-
nials from the principal Italian towns, people went
to hear him on the first night of the season (April
14) in just as unbiased a condirion as they would
have gone if the merest novice had been the hero
of the evening. No sooner, however, was he
heard in " La Favorita" than his position as a
vocalist was Fettled at once. The London public
was conscious that a great musical artist had been
secured, and Giuglini's triumph was the talk of
every operatic circle. People, however, are usually
afraid of administering praise in too unqualified a
a form, and hence, when it was settled. that Giuglini
was an admirable vocalist, the opinion that lie was
a cold and passionless actor was pretty freely ex-
pressed. On what this opinion was based we could
never find out, but certainly every one of Signor
Giuglini's subsequent characters might be regarded
as so many efforts to confute it. His Alfredo, Ed-
gard°, Arturo, and Man rico were a series of tr iamphs
over a general prejedice ; and when iu the third
act of " I Paritani" the young cavalier addresed
the obdurate soldiers with flash;ng eye and impas-
sioned voice the audience thought of the old charge
of frigidly and wondered. Signor Giuglini is un-
questionably, the great "fact" at Her Majesty's
Theatre in this good year 1857.
Another tenor, inferior to Signor Guiglini in
potency, but remarkable for the' sweetness of his
voice and the excellent -List° of his singing, has like-
wise achieved a decided success. But Signor Belart
came late in the season, when, throu4,h the mere
agency of time, operatic enthuiaasm began to cool—
to say nothing of the absorbing power possesse I by
Signor Guiglini. That he is an' actor as well
as a singer was amply proved by his able perfor-
mance of Basilio in "Le Nozze di Figaro.' The
character of Idaspe, in " Nino," does not yield
any very copious crop of laurels, but Mr. Charles
Braham, by his execution of the part, made for
himself a position that he had certainly not ac-
quired
last year by his Gennaro. We may, there-
fore, regard him as a sort of debutant.
Another artise;.cOmpletely new to the English
public and a valuable a idition to the company,
was Mademoiselle Spezia. The quality of her
voice prevented her from at once making the un-
equivocal impression produced by Signor Giuglini,
who had only to he heard to be acknowledged.
But, in spite of the terrors incident to a first ap-
pearance, she showed even in " La Favorita" that
she was an actress of great poWer and passion, and
as she successively appeared in "Il Trovatore"
and " Nino" she gradually convinced her audience
that she could adequately sustain those characters

that are looked upon as -Constituting the " high
tragedy" of the lyrical drama. for singing also
was well adtpied to dramatic exprersion, and
often the chilliest hearers have been startled into
enthusiasm by the passionate vigour with which
she has-enunciated some particular phrase: While
Madelnoi-ere Spezia has thus distinguished herself
in the large declamatory style, the florid school of
vocaliz ttion, generally associated with the name of
Persiani, has been represented by Mademoiselle
Ortolani, a young vocalist of great intelligence, who
at once gained the softrages of the public by the flu
ency of her execution as Etvira in "I Puritani."
When we have completed the above list of new
euga,Yernents by the addition of Signor Corsi, an
artist who gives efficiency to the less important per-
sonages of an opera, and Signor Vialetti, a "basso
pr.fondo" of more than average merit, who was
recently checked in his career by an unfortunate
accident, it will be seen that the quantity of fresh
lyrical stock is indeed considerable.
Mademoiselle Piccolornini had so firmly estab-
lished herself with the public last year that, as far
as her popular,ty went,' she had little to achievebe-
yowl the maintenance of her position. She had
already made pleasant the unpleasant "Traviata,"
and the agreeable "Rglia del Reg,dioeuto" had
been well seasoned by her own very efficient spice.
Neverthelesq, ,the favourable impression sl;e made
at the close of last season was rather dueto histrionic
talent thin to vocal proficiency, and hence her ad-
mirers, whose name is "legion," were delighted this
year to observe the great progress she has male as
a singer. The voice' and the management thereof
had both advanced since the rummer of 1856, and

not: only has dramatic expression been applauded,
but execution, considered apart from the utteranc3
of s .ntim-nt, hai been theme of almirafon. If the
idolatry of Ma,temoi.aelle Piccolomini is to be attri-
buted to some inexplleabla fa.sciattion, fascina.-
tion, at any rate, is proof against wear and tear,.
and the look and smile of Madetnoi,elle Piccolomini
are as potent now as they were when they first shone
upon the revived fortunes of a newly resuscitated
establishment. The production of "Le Nozze di
Figaro" proved a fortunate event for this charming
art.st, as. Susannah has been one of her most suc-
cessful impersonations.
Madame Alboni has varied the performances at
her Maje,ty's Theatre by exhibitions of that per-
fect vocalisation that seeks for opportunities of dis-
play in the earlier productions of the modern
Italian school rather than in the works that have
sprung in'o celebrity under the Verdi dynasty.
Hence her evenings have, as it were, stood apart
from those of ti,e general company, save in the case
of "Il Trovatore," in which she has most dEcieutlY
co-operated with Gingliiii an I Spezia.
Signor 13.-lletti, a loyal adherent to the establish-
ment since the days of Jenny Lind, has been ser-
viceat.le as ever this season? secure in the good
opinion of all who can appreciate a careful, c"-
ci, uti...ms, and thoroughly educated artist.
Signorßoneventano has rather advanced than receded in
public estimation, and Signor Rossi, whose visit to L
us was somewhat late, has maintained his characab-
ter
as a careful wearer of the mantle dropped by

The decreasing ability
lacl.e.
of Italy to furnish the
theatres of other countries with new lyrical dramas
has • long been a matter of note. Of ephemeral
successes in the native land of the composers we
hear much, but the shouts incident to the several
ovations are seldom*echoed in any Cisalpine r,giona
and we read of laurels profniels bestowed in Venice
or Milan, without caring to iaquire into the pro-
portions between merit and its reward. Not a
single new Italian opera has bee" produced in Lon-
don this year. At her Majesty's Theatra the favou-
ite works of the Verdi collection have still been " Il
Ti ovatore" and "La Traviate," and Bellini and
Donizetti are still represented V their most popular
operas. From the very frequent performance
of Don Giovanni during the season, and the great
success that at ended the revival of Le Nozze di
Figaro in the extra season, we may infer that
classical music is more highly valued in this country
than the gen erality of modern compositions.
Some years since the ballet was almost as im-
portant in the eyes of operatic patrons as the
lyricsl performance by which it was preceded. In-
deed, the acclamations with which triumphant
vocarsts were greeted, though p ?rhaps more re-
spectful, were les enthusiastic than those that
followed the achievements of the less successful
dancer. But Terpsichore is no longer in the as-
cendant, and if she is honoured as a pleasant
auxilia.y to the lyric muse she may deem herself
sufficiently fortunate. No ballet on the grand old
scale has been - produced- this year, nor. was any-
thing of the sort requ red, and yet there has b:-ea a
great abundance of choregraphic talent. Madlle.
Pocchini, who opened the season in an abridged
version of La Esmeralda, was not only a perfect
mistress of her art, but a thoroughly original
genius, whose Xraandaise, if executed a dozen
years ago, would haVe enhanced the price of
bouquets. Madame Rosati, who so exquisitely com-
bines the qualities of the dancer and the actress,
Mademoiselle Marie Taglioni, whet represents the
ssivere school of Terpsichorean art, and Madlle.
Boschetti, who has risen to unwonted• eminence,
have all contributed to make the past season illus-
trious ; and .as stars of the second magnitude
we have had Mesdemoiselles Rolla, Salvione, and
Katrine, sparkling on all beholders. Moreover,
there was a Peninsular party that took delight in the
I berian graces of Senora Perea Nina.
In cloing our brief record, let us not omit to
state that a strong sympathy with the manager of
the old establishment has been a leading sentiment
with the whole body of his patrons. The "resto-
ration," bailed with such enthusiastic cheers in
1856, has turned out to be the commencement of
a permanent state of things, and the operatic
"cavaliers" find
cause to rejoice in the unshaken
solidity of the ancient institution.

THE GREAT SHREWSBURY CASE.—Another important
paper has just been laid open the tab's of the House of
P,.eTerhse.
Clatße ofcon Lordsistsofl.6 pages folio, and is entitled
-Edmund Bernard Howard, an
infant, by his father, the Duke of Norfolk, petitioning
to be heard against the claim of Earl Talbot to the Earl-
dom of Shrewsbury." It follows up seriatim the various
genealogical points brought forward by Lord Talbot in
his ‘• case," which has already appeared in our columns,
and more especially adverts to the fact that the identity
is far from being satisfactorily established between
William Talbot, the father of the Bishop of Durham -of
that name and the William Talbot from whom the noble
claimant asserts his direct descent. The question has
now begun to assume a very intircate appearance, and
there is little doubt that no decision on the matter will
be given by the Committee of the House of Lords during
the continuance of the present 'session.

re: quintal if imported under national, and 22 reals 85
cents per quintal if imported under foreign flag.
BOARD OF TRAUL, WHITEHALL, AUG. 5.
The Right Honourable the Lords of the Committee of
Privy Council for Trade and Plantations have received,
through the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, a copy
of a despatch from her Majesty's Consul at Madrid, re-
porting the following alteration in the Spanish tariff :
Gaits pereba, gum elastic, quintawan, unrnanufactured,
15 cents. per lb , under national, and 35 cents, under
foreign flags.
Ditto, cut in strips or sheets, 2 reals 40 cents. per lb.,
under national, 2 reals 50 cents. under foreign flags.
Ditto, manufactured into any forms or objects, whether
vulcanized or not, and not included in other paragraphs
of the tariff; 6 reals par lb., under national, and 6 reals
50 cents. under foreign flags.

WAR-OFFICE, PALL-MALL, AUG. 7.
Ist Regiment of Life Guards—George John Brudenell
Bruce, Gent., to be Cornet and Sub-Lieutenant, by pur-
chase, vice Patten, promoteo,
2d Dragoon Guards.—Captain John Percy Smith to be
Major, without purchase; Lieutenant George Bushman
to be Captain, without purchase, vice Percy Smith ;
Ccrnet George E. Logan to be Lieutenant, without pur-
chase, vice Bushman ; Cornet George Frederick Ormsby
to be Lieutenant, by purchase, vice Powell, promoted ;
Francis O'Beirne, Gent., to be Cornet, by purchase, vice
Grant, promoted in succession to Lieutenant Bridgman,
promoted on the 16th June, 1r,57.
14th Light Dragoons—Lieutenant William D'Urban Blyth
to be Captain, without purchase, vice Gausson, de-
ceased.

Royal Artillery—Brevet-Colonel Robert Fitzjerald Craw-
ford to be Colonel, vice John Alexander Wilaot, de-
ceased; Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel Spencer Delves
Broughton to be Lieutenant-Colonel ; Second Captain
Dominick Sarsfield Greene to be Captain, vice Brough-
ton ; Lieutenant John Henry Brown to be Second
Captain, vice Greene; Second Class Staff-Surgeon John
Duff, M.D., to be Surgeon.
Grenadier Regiment of Foot Gulrds—Edmund C. Nugent,
Gent., to be Ensign and Lieutenant by purchaao, vice
Clive, promoted.
3rd Regiment of Foot—Ensign Charles G. J. Torriano has
been permitted to resign his Commission.
14th Foot—Staff-Surgeon of the Second Class George S.
King, M.D., from half-pay, to be Surgeon, vice Dwyer,
deceased.
19th Foot.—Lieutenant Elward Nassau Kindersley, to be
Captain, by purchase, vice Westropp, who retires.
20th Foot.—Captain William Lewis Devenish Mears, from
half-pay of the 20th Foot, to be Captain, vice Hay,
whose Brevet rank has been converted into Substantive

rank, under the Royal Warrant of Gth October, 1854 ;
Lieutenant Frederick Lockwood Eiridge to be Captain,
by purchase, vice McNeill, who retires ; Robert Foster-
Melliar, Gent., to be Ensign, by purchase, in succession
to Lieutenant Francis, promoted.
24th Foot—Lieut. Richard Henry Travers to be Captain,
by purchase, vice Mackechnie, who retires ; Arthur Wil-
liam FitzMaurioe, Gent., to be Ensign, by purchase, in

. . .
succession to Lieut. Travers, promoted.- - -
28th Foot—The exchange between Capt. H. F. Morgan,
from half-pay of the 28th Foot, with Capt. Malcolm, of
the 28th Foot, to bear date 14th July, instead of 24th

_
July, as previously stated.
36th Foot--Liout. Wm. C. Hill to be Instructor of Mus-
ketry.
55th Foot—Lieut. William Byrne Johnson has been per-
milted to retire from the service by the sale of his coin-

mission.
79th Foot—Major 'William Chauval Hodgson, from half-
pay Unattached, to be Maio-, vice INl`Call, whose Brevet
Rank has been converted into Substantive Rank under
the Royal Warrant of 6th October, Lis4 ; Capt. George
Alexander Harrison, from half-pay of the 79th Foot, to
be Captain, vice Hodgson, whose Brevet Rank has been
c,nverted into Substantive Rank under the Royal War-
ant of 6th October, 1851.
UNATTACHED. _ .

The undermentioned Officers to have their Brevet Rank
converted into Sub.tantive Rank, under the Royal Warrant
of 6th October, 1854 :

TO BE LIEUTENANT COLONEL.
Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel Wm. McCall, 79th Foot.
TO BE MAJORS.

Brevet-Major James Geo. Hay, 20th Foot.
Brevet-M..j a- W. C. Hodgion, 79th Foot.
FALKLAND ISLANDS.

Lieutenant Charles Compton Abbott, from the 75th
Foot, to be Commanding (Ancor of Detachment of Troops
to be employed i❑ the Falkland Islands.

HOSPITAL STAFF.
TO BE SURGEONS OF TUE FIRST CLASS.

Staff-Surgeon of the First Class George Anderson, from
half-pay.
Staff-Surgeon of the First Class William Denny, from
half-pay.
Staff-Surgeon of the First Class Patrick Gammio, from
half-pay.
St•tff-Surgeon of the First Class William Carson, M.D.,
from half-pay.