The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-07-06

the end of the regular season Mr.. Lumley 1
repeated his experiment of series OF "cheap |
nights.n
Al the close of the protracted season of 1853
Her Maiesty's Theatre passed forever from the
hands OF BENJAMIN Lumley.
Lord Ward had pressed him very strngently:
he left the director no alternative between the
immediate payment of the arrears of rent
f4000-or an immediate cession OF the whole
property into his lordship's hands. Nothing re-
mained but surrender of the lease and the
possession OF the theatre into Lord Wards
hands. From the time when possession of the
house was formally given up by Mr.. Lumley
his connection with the theatre was entirely
severed.
The first event in the operate world in 1859
created strange, sad excitement. News came
from 81. Petersburg that the charming favorite
Angelina Bosio, was dead-klled by over-work
and an unkind climate Perhaps no prinld
donna was ever more universally lamented than
this graceful and refined singer, who died in the
flower of her age and at the zenith Of her repu-
taton.
Although Her Maiesty's Theatre was closed,
there we're two Italian operas in London that
year. Under the direction of Mr. f. T. Smith,
Drury Lane was opened tor the performance of
opera. The company consisted of Mesdames
Victoire Bale, PiccolominI Guarducci, Tietiens,
MN. Giuglni, Badiali, Belart, etc. The chief
feature of this attempt was the assumgtion, for
the first time in London, by Mademoiselle Tiet-
jens of the part of Norma"
1t was probably the success attending this
effort which induced Mr.. h. L Smith, the fol-
lowing year, 1850, to become lessee OF Her
Majesty's Theatre. Considerable changes and
Improvements were effected before the house
opened. The theatre underwent a thorough
renovation, both internally and externally. The
pit, the vestibule, the lobbies on the grand tier,
and the crush rooms were lined with mirrors,
the walls were papered, the ceilings painted,
the floors and stairs carpeted, the chandeliers
improved, the stalls newly arranged. The
singers engaged we're Mesdames Alboni, Laura
Baxter, Lotti della Santa, Marie Cabel, Borghi
Mamo, Tietjens, NM Mongini, Guiglini
Sebastiano Ronconi, and CASTER The
dancers were Marietta Pocchini, one of the
most accomplished of living dancers, Amalia
Ferrais, idol of the French and Russian capitals,
Claudina, Cucchi, and others.
Mr. Benedict and Slgnor Ardiu were ap-
pointed directors of the music, composers, and
conductors.
Jules Benedict, who was born at Stuttgard,
1905 came to London for the first time IN 1885,
chiefly at the instance of his friend Madame
Aalibran. Since that period he had resided
almost entirely in England. From his early
youth he had been accustomed to the duty of
conducting an orchestra. At the age of nineteen
he was, on the recommendation of his friend
Weber, engaged to conduct the German Opera at
Vienna; afterwards he transferred his services
to the theatre of San Carlo, and then to the
Fondo at Naples. He undertook the direction
OF the Opera Butia at the Lyceum in 1886, an
entertainment carried on for two seasons by
Mr. Mitchell. He was subsequently musical
director at Drury Lane when Mr.. Bum was
manager. He was again conductor at Drury
Lane during the Italian Opera season in 1885,
During 1860, he brought out at Her Maiesty's
Theatre an Italian version OF Weber's OberOn,
with recitatives and additions principally
selected from the composers own works.
Weber had been one of his most sincere
friends. The works which Mr. Benedict has
given to the world have all been more or less
we'll received.
Luigi Arditi was born (1Sl2) at Crescentino,
small town in Piedmont. He commenced his
public career in 1S43 as orchestral conductor at
Vercelli. Since that time he has continued to
WELD the baton OF a chet-dOrcheStre, during a
life of wonderful variety and industry. Mr.
Lumley introduced him to England.
At the Royal Italian Opera, in 1860, the
singers were Mesdames Nantier-Didiee, Csillag,
Miolan Carvalho, Pence, Rudersdorff, and NM.
Tamberlik, ReJger, Tagliadco, Ronccni, Mario,
Faure, and Formes. One of the most remark
able events of the season was the unexpected
appearance of Mademoselle Adelna Patti.
The new floral hall, spacious and elegantly
| constructed saloon attached to the COVent Gar
den Theatre, intended to be devoted to a variety
| OF purposes, was opened as promenade, after
! the performances in the theatre, about the
| middle of the season, and was so used on several
! nights. grand show OF hoWers took place
| shortly after the opening, and in the evening
| the occupants of the boxes, stalls, and pit were
allowed the right of entrance.
| The farewell performance of Madame Grisi
| formed an attraction at Covent Garden. The
| finest performance of the season was, perhaps
the production Of GuiHdnme Tel.
This work achieved then the greatest success;
|
ten nights drew crowded audiences-would il
| all probability have continued to attract fol
| nine nights more, had not the attention of the
| public, been suddenly diverted by the appear
ance of Mademoiselle Patti. This charming
singer gained as vertable triumph as her i'm
mediate predecessor on the lyric stage-Made
moiselle Tietiens-had obtained
| Mr.. Mapleson made his first essay in operate
| management at the Lyceum Theatre in 1861. HI
was in many respects well fitted Tor the position
at which he ambitiously aimed. Signor Ardit
was conductor, Mr.. Calcott scene painter. Th
leading singers were Madlle Tetens and Slgno
Giuglini. Emboldened by success, he the fol
! lowing year undertook the direction of He
| Maiesty's Theatre. Although he entered upol
this enterprise at the brietest possible notice
! and was obliged to carry the season through il
hurried manner, his efforts were highly sue
! cessiul. Signor Arditi and Signor Calcott accom-
| panied him to this enlarged sphere. Since tina
| year, Mr.. Mapleson has conducted He
MaIestys Theatre to the unqualified sati
! faction OF the subscribers and OF the genera
public. His success has been all the NOR
highly to be appreciated as he has never ha
the same means at command as his rival, MI
Gye, who had the good fortune TO possess tn
amplest resources OF any theatre in Europe
Signal efforts were made by Mr.. Mapleson I
restore the bygone prestige of the ballet but il
days of glory have apparently passed away fol
ever. Not all the destinations of Amalia Fe
rars, nor the brilliant qualities of Mademoisel
Pocchlni, nor the picturesque beauty of tn
advertisements, could raise the ballet to il
ancient popularity.
The great incident OF the season of 1888,
Her Maiestys, was the production of NJ Coz
mods tdust The principal characters were az
mirably sustained, and the work created pr
found interest.
1t was proposed, at the close of the season
last year, 1866 to unite the two rival oper
houses by means OF a Joint-stock company
This scheme has, however, for the present bee