The Sun.
London, England, 1857-12-08 00:00:00

THE ITALIANS IN .HAMBUGREI.

(From, a Correspondent of tht Musical World.)
The Piccolomini and Giuglini troupe, as you already
know, have been giving concerts and operatic perform.
ances in Hamburgh. The success of the Italians at our
theatre was decided. Here all classes of the community
congregate, and here the company from her Majesty's
Theatre achieved •ne of the greatest "hits" in my recol-
lection.

I attended the performance of "Il Trovatore " last
night, and on the whole was greatly pleased. Madlle.
Piccolomini essayed the character of Leonora for the
first time, and in many respects surpassed expectation.
I need not inform you original this young lady's notions
are in all she undertakes, and you may surmise that she
found many new effects, and that her performance dif-
fered materially from her predecessors. The first move-
ment of the cavatina, " Tacea la notte," was most expres-
sively sung, and accomplished by thatearnesttruthfulness
of gesture for which Mdlle. Piccelominee acting is
always remarkable. The cabaletta is somewhat too.
florid for her style, and consequently not quite so effec-
tive as the slow movement. The audience, however,
appeared thoroughly gratified, and Mdlle. Piccolomini
was recalled at the end. The trio for the Count,
Manrico, and Leonora, did not create a profound im-
pression, and the first act terminated somewhat coldly.
In the second act Mdlle. Piccoloinini produced new
effects in the finale, which took the audience by surprise,
and the curtain fell amid applause from all parts of the
house, and a general recall for the artists.
In the third act Signor Giuglini created a furor in the
declamatory "Di quells pira," which he gave with im-
mense power. The house " rose at him,' encored him
tumultuously, and recalled him three times. He also
delighted everybody with the beauty of his voice and his
expressive singing in the air, "Ah ! ben mio !" The
act terminated in a genuine triumph ; and I have riarely
seen a more excited audience out of Italy.
The fourth act was Mdlle. Piccolomini's great achieve-
ment. Here she surpassed herself in the estimation of
all who had previously seen and heard her. The d net
with the Count was a great success, and her repetition
of the word " Vivra, vivre," enraptured the house.
Even with the last scene of the " Traviata" and. the
" Martiri" fresh in the memory, you could have formed
no previous notion of this display. She was recall ed at
the end once, twice, thrice—indeed I forget how n
times. The " Miserere," and the subsequent duet
with Giuglini were equally happy, and the death-sc one
was worthy of any actress I have seen. The sensat non
at the end was prodigious.
One feature in the demonstration was altogether
strange to an English theatre. Several times during th, e
evening, when the fsvourites were recalled, a flourish 'l.f
trumpets proceeded from the orchestra and added greatly
to the excitement of the scene. Ido not think I exag-
gerate when I state that Mdlle. Piccolomini and fii,gnor
Giuglini were auhamood forward thirty time, 1

Since the separation of the Provisional Battalion
at Chatham into three separate battalions increased
facilities have ben given for the instruction of the
officers and men of the Indian depots in the Minie
rifle, each battalion being &tie to furnish the same
number of men for training by the several instruc-
tors of musketry ; and from 500 to 1,000 troops
complete their Enfield rifle instruction during each
mouth, and are fit for embarkation for India as
often as reinforcements are required.
Yesterday the first detachment of sick an d wounded
troops from China arrived at Fort Pitt, Chatham,
having disembarked from the Northfleet at Ply-
mouth. The Northfleet sailed from Hong Kong on
the Bth of August, having on board 72 non-commis-
sioned officers and invalid troops of the 59th Regi-
ment, in charge of Captain M. Pennefather Lloyd,
of that corns, besides a large party of sailors and
Marines who were left at the Cape. During the
voyage, which was very protracted, six deaths
occurred on board. On disembarking at Plymouth
the invalids were forwarded to Chatham, which they
reached yesterday afternoon. Another large party
of sick and wounded troops from China and Persia
will shortly arrive at Chatham.
The effects made on Sunday to raise the Cuckoo
steamer, at Chatham, proved successful, and as
the tide rose that evening the powerful lighters
to which she was fastened succeeded in lifting
her from the dangerous • position in which she
had been lying. The lighters were afterwards
floated up to the Gun-wharf, where they were made
fast, and during the whole of yesterday relays
of workmen were employed in pumping the water
out of the Cuckoo at low tide, in order that she
might be floated off. This was a work of much
difficulty, as, from the injuries she has received,
the water appears to gain almost-as fast as pumped
out. Tha-ataamer has received considerable injury.
Rear=Admiral Sir Henry Leeke,-ICH., visited
Portsmouth on Saturday on his return from the
command-in-chief of the Indian navy. A cordial
greeting was given him by all who knew him and
his successful operations in the Persian Gulf, where
the Indian navy so pre-eminently distinguished
itself under Sir Henry's command. Rear Admiral
the Hon. Sir Henry Keppel, K.C.8., visited
Portsmouth yesterday, on his arrival from China,
and also received a most hearty greeting from all
classes who knew him.

The Curacoa, 31, steam-frigate, Captain T. M.
Mason, was masted yesterday at Portsmouth.
The DiAdam, 32, Captain Moorsom, C. 8., re-
mains at Spithead. She saluted the Queen yester-
day as the Royal yacht passed through Spithead
for Osborne.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.