The Sun.
London, England, 1857-12-21 00:00:00

LYCEUM THEATRE.-CLOSE OF THE
SEASON.

The brief but successful operatic campaign of
Miss Louisa Pyne and Mr. Harrison, and their corps
operatique, closed on Saturday night. The " Rose
of Castille," now firmly established in popular favour,
went admirably as on former occasions. A new
home for English opera was alluded to. We give
the parting address as read to the audience :
"Ladies and Gentlemen,—ln taking leave of you on
this, the last night of our operatic season, we cannot
allow the opportunity to pass without thanking you
most warmly and most sincerely for the very great and
liberal patronage you have bestowed upon our attempt to
re-establish an English opera in the English metropolis.
" We have both of us been all our lives firm believers
in the vitality of English opera. During the long years
it has been slumbering amongst us, whoever may have
deemed it dead, we never once lost faith in it, nor ever
for a moment gave up the cheering hope that English
opera would awake once more, possibly all the stronger
for its long repose.
"Firm in this belief, we entered into partnership,
endeavoured, to the• best of our abilities, to organise the
most efficient company we could obtain to aid :It.: in the
work, and have ever devoted all our energies to the rea-
lisation of the hope we had each long entertained, of
once more establishing in our native land an opera in
our native tongue.
"Encouraged by your kind support, may we not look
upon that hope as accomplished?
" Far be it from either of us to join the senseless cry
of want of patronage to native talent.
"Far, indeed, is it from our thoughts to begrudge
one single cheer of the applause bestowed by a discrimi-
nating British public upon the admirable artists, collected
at such cost, and with such pains, from every nation
upon earth, to sing at our Italian theatres. There is
abundant room for all of us, and your kind patronage,
for which we are now thanking you, proves that the
English people will support their countrymen and coun-
trywomen in any well-meant endeavour to set on foot
an opera in a language all can understand, and at prices
all can pay.
"Of the past season little need be said. In com-
mencing our undertaking, it was our determina-
tion to present each opera with all the completeness of
detail in every respect which it was possible to attain.
This determination we have, to the very best of our
ability, honestly carried out, and for the ready and will-
ing assistance rendered us in this undertaking, we here
publicly tender our heartiest thanks to every individual
member of the company, from the highest to the lowest.
"To the gentlemen of the Press our most especial
thanks are due. The flattering terms in which they
have one and all spoken of our enterprise, and the in-
valuable aid they have afforded it, by directing public
❑otice to the operas produced, will ever be remembered
by us with heartfelt gratitude, and the praise they have
been kind enough to bestow upon us for the past will
stimulate us to renewed exertions to deterve it for the
future.

" And now, one word about the future. Our tenancy
of the Lyceum Theatre expires this evening, conse-
quently, though we would gladly prolong a season
rendered by your kindness so propitious, we are com-
pelled to leave you for a while ; but we hope not for
long. We trust that we may soon return to London,
and establish an English Opera upon a more permanent
footing. Your generous support emboldens us to hope
that the Pyne and Harrison English Opera Company
has made a name ;' all that it requires now is a local
habitation.' Negotiations are pending, by which we
trust that local habitation' will be secured for us ; se
that, though we are now reluctantly compelled to say
farewell, we are encouraged by the feeling that we may
add, ceu reeoir.

"It has ever been a maxim in our management to
refrain from making promises, the fulfilment of which a
thousand unforeseen circumstances might render impos-
sible. But firmly believing, by the kind interest you have
shown i❑ our undertaking, that you, too, share with us
the hope of seeing English opera permanently established
among us, we think it only right to impart to you our
intentions for the future.

"In the first place, we aro most desirous of producing
original operas, written in the English language, for
English singers ; and would most respectfully invi, e the
aid of native composers, whose works we shall ever be
proud to receive, and, if acceptable, to place before the
public in the best manner that our abilities will permit.
"We have now by us an original opera, written ex-
pressly for us, which has never yet been represented in
England, but which it was our intention to have played
this season, bad not the unprecedented success of BAlfe's
"Rose of Castille" prevented it. This opera, the work
of an American, Mr. George Bristow, has met with the
most enthusiastic reception everywhere in the United
States ; and next season we hope the verdict of a Lon-
don audience may confirm that of the young, vigorous,
and generous nation amidst which the opera in question
first saw the light.
" While speaking of the future movements of our com-
pany, we may, perhaps, be allowed to mention, with
mingled feelings of pride and of gratitude for the high
honour conferred upon us, that we have been commanded
to represent the " Rose of Castillo" at her Majesty's
Theatre, on the occasion of the celebration of the forth-
coming auspicious event, the marriage of the eldest
daughter of our most gracious Queen.
"And now, ladies and gentlemen, apologising for tres-
passing so long upon your attention, allow us once
more to return you our most sincere and heartfelt thanks,
and in our own name and that of the entire company,
to bid you respectfully and gratefully farewell.
" LOITISA PYNE.
" W. HARBISON.
" Lyceum Theatre, Dec. 19, 1857."