Star.
London, England, 1827-01-29 00:00:00

DRURY-LANS.

A new Opera, from the pen of Mr. WALLACE, the
author of several works on Oriental Manners, with
music by Bisnop, was produced here on Saturday
evening. The story of the Piece was ably delivered
by Coopta. It is as follows :
Oswald ((bona), an English Meer, in his early you:b had been
engaged in the petty wars raging between the native Powers in
India, and in an attack upon the Rajah's Palace, in which the great
part of its defenders are put to the sword ; a wounded Chief forces
I his way through the ruins, and delivers to Oswald • female child,
which he informs him is the last survivor of a Royal race, and at
the same time exacts front him a promise of protection.
Some years after this, Oswald, compelled to return to England,
delivers his charge into the care of Sir Matthew Scruggs (Doweort),
a vulgar English citizen, settled in India, who has made a large
fOrtune, and who glories in his vulgarity. In the house of this
Knight, the scene of the Opera is laid, and we are introduced to
Galnare (Miss Sezenzes), arrived at womanhood, and retaining
the mo‘t ardent feelings of gratitude and affection for her preserver.
At the Manse of Sir Matthew, she becomes acquainted with Henri
71roweed (Mr. Bissume), an English Officer, anti the 'intimate
friend of Mond& To hear her benefactor praised by his friend, is
the happiness of the orphan, and the pleasure she on this account
takes in the society of Tattered, is mistaken by him and the family
for love. Oswald, returning to India, is astonished to find Gulaarc,
whom he left a child, now matured into a lovely woman, and in-
stantly conceives a violent attachment for her, but ere he can de-
clare his sentiments, he is apprised by Sir Matthew Scrams of her
affection for Tancred. He resolves to surrender his own happiness
for that of his protege, requests an interview with her, in order to
ascertain her sentiments, when she confesses that she loves; Oswald
receiving this avowal, as applying to his friend, generously joins
their hands.—Disappointed at this misinterpretation of her pro.
tector, Grahrare resolves to fly for ever front the man she loves.—
Mir= (WAI LACK), the Chief who had delivered her on the day of
carnage to Oswald, is waiting to accompany her, and they By
together. A letter informs Oswald of the real state of her heart,
they are pursued—overtaken—an exirrimisseissersi follows. Mowed
gives up his pretensions, and Oswald and Guinan are united.
There is an exceedingly laughable under-plot, con-
sisting of the interminable squabbles of Sir Matthew
Scruggs and his refined Lady (Mrs. DAvisoN). There
is also a pail of lovers, in the persons of Mr. Tape. a
tailor, (HARI. ix), and Miss Sally Scraggs (Miss
Kaffir), the niece of the Knight, both love-struck
and stage-struck, who, although in India and out of
practice, have in England been the hero and heroine of
the Berwick-street Theatre; a chattering servant, Poplin
(Mis I. PATON); and an amorous old French Count
(Gaxxia). This part of the piece is altogether broad
farce. Di,WTON, as the vulgar Knight, acted, as he
always does, to the life; and Mrs. Davi ow, Miss
Kaffir, and HARLEY, were extremely effective in their
characters ; the two last were superlatively so. ,
T:ie music of the Opera is agreeable, and in some
parts delightful, particularly the song, " Brow, *here
lofty thought reposes," in the first Act, and the finale of
the second. Baartast exerted himself to do justice to
the composer, and his inimitable voce and execution
called down, in a song ending "Liberty," an encore.
There are two or three comic songs interspersed,
which tell very well with the audience; a very dr
one, by HARLEY, at the commencement of the first
act, was, by loud demand, repeated.
• _.. •

Mils STILSIENS sang, as she ever does, most sweetly. The snap
allotted to her are chiefly of the ballad style, and harmonize most
perfectly with her silvery tones.
The dialogue of the Opera is more free from common-place and
clap traps than most of the pieces recently brought out. It is, at
the same time, flee, lowing, humorous—and not unfrequently
pointed and forcible. The Opera was heard with much applause—
and, with some curtailing, it bids fair to become a favourite.