Star.
London, England, 1824-01-26 00:00:00

KING'S THEA 111 E.

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Ititseacon commenced at this Theatre on Satutinar
night, with more than usual eclat. The announcement:
of the splendid preparations which 11,d been made, sip
attracted the curiosity of the uprer rank*. ~t. !ocieti
that at six o'clock the avenues were clow.!ed ; the

barriers of the Ticket Clciks were nearly overt', ned by

the first rush, and a scene of the utmoA confusion Listed

till seven o'clock.

At 2 few minutes past seven o'clock, ROSSI Nt took his
place (v,hich he sill al.o Jo for the next tw.) nights) at
the piano. The acclamations being nriveral, the en-

viable object of them bowed in a moJeA and gtaceful

manner to the audience.

The Ditector of the Theatre for this g!tson is Signor
BENELLI, who appears, horn the an angea.ents which
he has aheady carried into eff:ct, to be em neatly qua-
lified for the task. He has brought amongst us Itusstst t,
the greatest musical genius of our age, and the season
was properly opened with a new Opera, composed by
ItosslN4 entitled Ze!Num. The parts are thus cast:
Minim Sijuora Cothran - Ist a Donna.
Emma Vestris Idem.

Antenor
110, a Trojan Prince
Polidorus liiuof
Lebo,
Leocippus
Eacidts

Signora Garcia -
Curioni
Benetti
I',•rto -
Franetscli i

- Ist Tenor.
Ideni.
Bass.
- Tenor.

Priestess, 'Warriors, Attendants, &r.
The opera is in two acts, and the story of the piece is as follows:
There reigned in the Island of Leshu an excellent Prince, named
Poliduro, who was truly !nippy in his old age, beiag cherished by
the love of his people, the tender affection of Zelmira, his daughter,
as also of her spouse, Ho, a valiant Trojan Prince. Ile being com-
pelled to contest with an enemy, who threatened his dominions,
was obliged to absent himself from Lesho. Azorte, Lord of Ali-
tylene, profiting of his absence, and irritated against Polidoro for
having refused hint the hand of Zelmira, with a powerful army in-
vaded his kingdom, where he carried terror and ikeastation. Ne-
vertheless, his revengeful avidity could not be accomplished without
the death of I'olidoro, whose retreat he endeavoured to discover by
every means in his power. - teladra succeeded in concealing her
father in the tomb whine was deposited tha ashes of the It ings of
Lesbo; and to prevent the discovery of his concealment, with
feigned ferocity, presented herAilf to the usurper, pretending to
wish the death of her father, as he had deprived het of such a bril-
liant conquest, and told him that Pohdoto had taken refuge in the
temple of Ceres. Azorre immediately condemocd that sacred edi-
fice to the flames. In the meantime, Antenor, who aNired to the
throne of Mitylene, seconded by Leucippus, ordered, in the dead
of the night, that Azcrre should be put, to death, and by his arti-
fices he mounted the throne of Lesbo and Mitylene. But Ito,
having defeated his enemies, returned opportunely to I.esbo, anti
with his valiant warriors animating the depressed courage of the
people, ever faithful to their legitimate sovereign, he vanquished
and put to flight the usurper, aed reinstated King Polidoto un his
throne. The anecdote is taken front the tragedy of Zalmira, by
,Signor Barn,.
The Opera of Zetmira was written at Naples ih 1322,
for representation at Vienna, but by way of rehearsal it
was performed a few nights in the former city, by the
company that was afterwards to bring it out at the lat-
ter. It subsequently appeared at ti.e imperial Aulic
Theatre of Vienna, and his undergone some alterations,
chiefly for the adaptation of the parts to the different •
performers who are to sustain them.
Madame liossm (the wife of the Composer), who did
not appear until the second scene, whets she descends •
the-steps of the mausoleum, was loudly applauded; she
sustained, as she originally did at Naples, the first cha-
racter, Zelmira. This lady possesses a fine and COM•
maitding figure; her voice and style bear some resem-
blance to Madame FODOR'S, who afterwards performed
the same part at Vienna. Her execution is great, and
her articulation distinct. She was greeted on her first
appearance with the loudest plaudits. C:ie does not,
like CATALAN, overpower and astonirh by the compass

of her voice; indeed she is rather inferior in that respect to
the general female sin2,ers of high reputation in Italy ;
but she displays great science, considerable flusibility,and
often a sweet modulation, which has a thrilling effect.
Signor GARCIA, who appeared soon after, was also
greeted ; his vivacity of expression, and the style of his
performance, patticularly in pathetic and impassioned
ldve, have always been applauded. Cuntosa was
equally well received ; he possesses great taste, and is
evidently an acquisition. The deep and impressive tones
of Poiro, were heard with an imposing effect and•
loudly acknowledged. Madame VESTRIS maintained
her usual taste and spirit. FHA Ncßscut, who made
his first appearance, was also well received. The Opera
was from beginning to end rapturously applauded ; the
scenery was very good, some of it really magnificent.
Of the instrumental accompaniments, no praise can ex-
ceed the merits. The orchestra was admirably filled,
and the effect of the accompaniments, during parts of
the performance, was grand and impo,ing in the highest
degree ; the richness, the variety, and the compass of
some of the musicians, was the finest ever heard within
these walls, and elicited repeated and raptutous appro.
bation.—The Opera was IblloNed by the performance
of a divertissement chevalresque, entitled, l ionneur aux
Dames, and the performances were concluded by a new
ballet divertissement, called, L'Adoratign au Soled. It
is an exquisite and rich display of oriental costume and
fascinating grace, and varied and beautiful'evolutions.
The scenery is tropical and appropriate.
ROSSINI was called for at the conclusion of the Opera,
and appeared on the stage, to be personally greeted by
the audience.