Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-05-10

IN the middle of the theatre, exactly opposite
the stage, presented in a great measure the
same appearance as when the Queen last vis-
ted the Royal Italian Opera in state The fit
lungs were extremely gorgeous. Several boxes
on the hrst tier, grand tier, and pit tier, had
been absorbed in order to make room for this
gigantic construction, very naturally the point
10 which all eyes were directed from the com.
mencement to the end Of the entertainment
before the illustrious party had arrived in eager
expectation OF their coming, and after their
arrival when the attractions of an Emperor
and Empress, Queen and Prince Consort
with splendid retinue, made the stage and its
appurtenances secondary consideration alto
gether. II was more than ten years since an
Emperor had been visible in a London theatre
ana the audience gazed and gazed as though
they imagined that such an event would not
occur again for as many more, if indeed in our
time. The theatre looked wonderfully gay and
brilliant in its new attire, which, like the shin
ing coat of a butterfly, is, we presume, to be
shortly cast aside for another. The hangings
OF white calico, with broad satin edges and
gold ornaments, gave light and airy appear
ance to the boxes, adorned, moreover, with fes
toons of flowers from top to bottom; and there
was as much propriety as elegance in the ban
ners that separated one box from another, with
the initials "V." an" "a !" variously distribu-
ted in the midst of circular wreaths-one ini.
tlal on each banner. The retiring rooms OF
the State box, which comprised the saloon at
the grand entry and portion of the lobby on
the grand tier, were arranged with consumate
taste and prodigal magnifcence. Vast mir
rors multiplied the effects of the statuary, par
terres OF flowers, richly adorned furniture, and
endless lustres which almost realized the idea,
OF one of the palaces of the arabian Nights
Foremost among the manifestations of III,
sculptors art were statuettes of her MAJESTY
Queen Victoria, the Empress Eugene, and the
Emperor of the French, placed in such close
proximity as, 1t is to be hoped, may henceforth
forever typify the relations of the two great
countries of which the first and last are repre-
sentatives.
AS had been announced in advance, the illus
trlous party did not make their appearance
until after the first act of the opera was over.
The interval was passed by the audience
probably the most brilliant, if not the most
numerous, ever assembled within the walls of a
theatre-rather in a low sustained buzz or muir
muir of expectation than in attention to the
performance. Had the reputation of Beetho-
ven depended upon last night-that is, so far
- sAAo iAioe aSe vi LIS OpcId was COuCtTutu-
there can be little doubt that even the most
Thoroughly initiated in the secrets of the musical
art would have caused judgment to be deferred.
This was not surprising, however, considering
the state of moral excitement, which made
every one present nervous, fdgety, and inpa-
tient until the event of the evening was fat
dccompi. At length the wished for moment
came. Alta quarter to ten general movement
among the audience, and the words, "the
Queen" "the Emperor" rapidly uttered by a
thousand voices, announced the arrival of our
sovereign and her great ally. Her Majesty
entered the state box with the Emperor Louis
Napoleon, and the, Empress Eugenia with his
Royal Highness Prince Albert. Mr.. Costa
then waving his baton, "Pdrtu,t pour la STie''
was struck up, and the acclamations of the
audience were graciously responded to by re-
peated obeisances. The French national air
was succeeded by our own anthem, in which
Madame Bosio sang the first verse, and all the
company of the Royal Italian Opera, except
those engaged in the performance of "Fidelio,"
took part. The entente cordiale thus harmoni-
ously established, the cheers and acclamations
were renewed, until the illustrious party re-
sumed their seats, and the " Leonora" overture,
magnifcently played by the orchestra, obtain
ed at least some degree of consideration for
the music of Beethoven, though hardly as
much as might been desired, and as would
have been elected had the example of the oc-
cupants Of the stage box been initiated by the
restless and excited multitude. After the sec
ond and third acts of the opera, which were
listened to with comparative attention, and
had far better chance of being appreciated
than the first, the curtain rose, and the stage
presented an unusual spectacle. Behind the
principal performers and the chorus were re
vealed dense mass of ladies and gentlemen
in full dress, who, sooner than not be presen,
on such an occasion, had purchased the priv
lege Of standing before the footlights during
the performance Of the National Anthem anc
"Partant pour la Syrie." This time the order
was reversed, and God save the Queen" was
sung first; 50 that both on arriving and depart
ing the ears Of the Emperor Of the French
where saluted by the familiar strains of the
melody said to have been composed by the
Queen Hortense, his mother, and now accepted
by his people as the national song Of France
The idea was most delicate, and could hardly
fail to be appreciated by his Imperial Majesty
The occasional verse in the National Anthem
interpolated as compliment to our allies
should have been allotted to a solo voice, since
the words were hardly distinguishable in chorus
In the last performance Of "Partant pour Ia
Syrie," the bands of her Majesty's Guards
joined the full orchestra, and the effect was al
the more impressive. When their Majestic:
retired, the manifestations Of the audience
we're renewed, and another hearty unanimous
"ovation" accompanied their departure. The
whole Of the Royal party we're in court dresses
Her Majesty wore gorgeous tiara Of diamonds
and the Empress Eugene, who looked even
handsomer than in the familiar portrait by M
Winterhalter, was respondent with precious
jewels. The Emperor wore the uniform Of Q
General Of Division, with the Star and Gordon
Of the Legion Of Honor.
Value OF Farms In Different States.
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