Star.
London, England, 1826-02-13 00:00:00

KING'S THEATRE.

" The last performance for some months," according
to the bills, of Il Crociato. attracted a numerous and
brilliant audience on Saturday. An apology was cir-
culated for Signer CURZON!, who was evidently much
indisposed, and his part was necessarily curtailed :
with this exception, the Opera went off with great
effect. The Duet 11 tenero affetto, by Madame Bowel
and VALLuaI, was most delightfully given, and receive)
an unanimous encore. A new Opera Serie,. by MOH..
LACCHI, is in rehearsal, and a new Ballet.

The .annsical entertainment hers on Friday Welt consisted of
selections from Haydn's Oratorio. The Creation. The performance
was Lvoarably received.

COVENT GARDEN.
Saturday evening -a new Play, in five acts, was
brought forward, under the title of the French Libertine.
This is the piece of which so much has been said in the
public Parer:, in consequence of the interposition of
the Licenser to prevent its representation. It is de.
scribed as a drama in five acts, and it is well ttfst the
author has given it the generic name, for it cannot be
classed among any of the admitted varieties of stage
productions. The greater part of it approaches neare!
to Comedy than any thing else, and the rest is Melo-
dramatic.

The hero of the Piece, it Is well-known, is the famous Duke of
Richelieu, although his tide is changed to Rotigemont,—and the
development of his licentious character, as connected with a simple
anecdote, forms the whole business of the play. He has violently
seduced the wife of a citizen, and still pursues her in her husband's
house, under the assumed character of one of his own class. In this
intrigue he is continually interrupted by the °mats els Fleury
(Mrs. Cearrem.av), who is in love with him. In the end tilt. vie- .
tim of his libertinism dies broken-hearted in his presence, and de-
nounces him in his real name to her husband. He Is struck with
horror at the consequence of his crime, and in his distraction and
penitence we have the moraL
The author is entitled to much praise for having
exhibited an odious character so as not to outrage the
feelings of an audience, and he has certainly gone as
close to the wind as possible. The dialogue has occa-
sionally some pretty passages, but it is not drama-
tic: but Mr. KRIEBLE'S representation of the chief
character was admirable, and must have carried a
piece of less merit through. Mrs. SLo►fArc, who acted
as the citizen's wife, gained much applause; her,grief,
however, was too monotonous; it always seemed wound
to the highest pitch, and the mind had nothing else to
rest upon throughout her performance. Mrs. GLOVER'S
talents made a, great deal of an attendant upon the
Lady. COOPER played the husband with feeling and
pro; 'icy ; and WARDa and Powsa had, characters
whiai did not allow them to use their best taleni.
The dressing and decoration of the May are splen-
did beyond example, and it *as well received.
The musical performances at this Theatre have commenced
auspiciously. In the vocal department, Swum is the leader, and
by his varied powers sets competition at defiance, in the execution
both of secuLir and sacred music. Then there are the powerful
attractions of Miss Srsrukes and Miss PATON. The performers
nut in rank are highly respectable.