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

pounds With many institutions of superior Inn
portance the Italian Opera was shaken to its
foundation by the coup Getdt of December 2,
1851.
at Covent Garden Theatre was dropped in 1851,
when MIR. Frederick Gye declared himself sole
manager. The effects of a spirit of order and
iudicious discipline were soon perceptlble.
wise retrenchment was the FIRST step taken,
Every one in the theatre, from the priT1d donna
dssolitta to the very doorkeeper, willingly sub
mitted to a reduction OF salary. and this reduc-
ton, combined with generally vigtlant admin
istration changed the entire aspect OF affairs at
the Royal italian Opera. From that time, MIR.
Gye has continued, year after year, to govern
his empire with perfect judgment, carrying
over season after season successfully.
This season-ls5l-his singers were Mes
dot, and Louisa Pyne; NM. TambeTlk, Formes,
Tagliafco, Ronconi Mario, Tamburini, ETC. Miss
Pyue had never, until this season, attempted
Italian opera; and the essay was all the more
wonderful in its success when it was considered
that she replaced another singer (Mad1le Zerr)
at an hours warning. At the end OF the season,
Nj. Gounod's SGto was produced, aud proved
failure, from causes into which it is unnecessary
10 enter Mi
In 1861, the year of the Great Exhibition Mr..
Lumley was still struggling against his adverse
fate. He had two charming dancers, Mesdames
FeTaris and Carlotta Grisi; but all interest in
dancing had died out in London. Even at
the Royal Italian Opera it was aban-
dTnga GGaTa ekcepT rsv as an md adjunct TO st the
singers, the most attractive of whom was Sophie
Cruvelli, who was greatly admired by some, and
heartily abused by others. Her 'Fidelio,",. in
which she was ably supported by Mr. Sims
Reeves, created a sensation.
The last "event' of the season occurred on
the night when Mr.. Balte, the conductor, took
his benefit. That eminent composers own opera,
Les Qudtre FlLS d. Aymon, was performed for the
first time on the Italian stage under the title of
QuGttrO BrdteLH. Already il had enoyed much
popularity in its French, English, and German
FORMS The work was received with favor when
presented in Italian. Sophie Cruvelli, with
Gardoui, PardinI, Coletti, and Massol, per-
formed the opera in spirited and effective
manner.
Mr. Lumley entered on. his campaign in 1852
with the taintest hopes of success. Uncertain
ties and difficulties attended on his prepara-
| tions, causing the theatre to open unusually
| late. 1t was generally supposed that the thea
misfortune which befel him was the "Wagner
| quarrel" the details of which unhappy affair it
! will be needless to recapitulate. To this i'm.
| broglio he attributed chiefly his downfall.
| This quarrel seriously injured not only Her
| Majesty's Theatre; bat the Royal italian
| Opera. The history of this season is dismal
one. The unexpected fight of Sophie Cruvelli
| was another blow to the unfortunate manager.
| Countless embarrassments followed each other.
| Actions at law menaced HIM on all sides, both
| in London and in Paris. In this crisis several
noblemen and gentlemen, influential among the
| friends and patrons of Her MajestYs Theatre,
| convened a meeting of the subscribers to con-
slider the best means of aiding the management
| to carry on the enterprise to the end of the
| season. A committee was appointed to receive
subscriptions in support of the establishment,
| and to regulate the manner in which 1.-THE sums
thus raised should be disbursed. The
scheme, however, although partially car
Early in the season. Mr.. Lumley had con.
ceived the plan of forming an association for
the purpose OF carrying on the affairs OF the
| Opera House-of organizing a jont-stock COM
| undertake. the financial va
| section of the directorship, while he himself
| continued the management In this design he
was cordially assisted by many nobemen and
gentlemen, but it was found impracticable. At
this juncture, Earl Dudley Uhen Lord Ward)
| was somewhat desirous OF becoming director of
| the theatre.
At last the doors of Her, Maesty's Theatre
| closed, not to reopen for three years. 1t was
evident that the "old house, had succumbed
Various plans we're suggested by those interested
| in the establishment, but none arrived at any
tangible result. The following year, the PRO
| perties" of the theatre were announced for sale,
| under claim of the ground landlord who, in
1850 had advanced on this security a sum OF
len thousand pounds. To prevent the dispersion
of these valuable theatrical accessories, the Ori
ginal cost of which had been estimated at
twenty-three thousand pounds, 1t was arranged
that they should be purchased in the names OF
Lord Ward and Sir Ralph Howard upon Sc
curity afforded by Mr. Lumley. Sir Ralph
Howard shortly afterwards relinquished his
claims to Lord Ward At the beginning of 1858
Lord Ward was still anxious to take the manage
ment and entered into negotiations with diff
telent singers; and directions were given that
the theatre should be held ready to open at
moments notice. Suddenly, however, he
abandoned the project, in consequence of diff
duties interposed by the principal creditors
His connection with the theatre had com
menced in the previous year, when he haC
taken decidedly prominent part in the famous
committee meeting.
An action of eiectment was brought agains
Mr.. Lumley by the ground landlord, upon th
plea that violation of the terms of the leas
had been committed by the lessee. This veXa
tious suit was carried on through years.
Some efforts were made by the Director o
Covent Garden 10 obtain the theatre. At on
time, early in 1854, Mr.. Benedict the celebrated
composer, had an idea of taking the theatre
truitless negotiation, he reliL Quished the design
Mr. Il. T. Smith, lessee OF Drury Lane Theatre
then came forward but he also recoiled frOn
! the overwhelming difficulties and heavy respoI
sIbilities of the undertaking.
Fortune had smiled on the Royal Italia
! Opera during the season of 1852 Severa
| new singers had appeared, the most re
/ | markable OF whom was Madame Bosio. A
| first this charming singer made little i'm
| preston, and it was not until sudden revel,
: ton showed the beauty of her voice and the rt
f ! fined nature of her talent to the Opera-goin
public, that she gained the place IN thei
| esteem and admration-even in their affection
| which she never lost. The next season, 1856
was also successful, although the singers, wit
, few exceptions, were only moderately distil
| guished. The band still continued most adm
: | rable, and had become, under its leader, MI
: | Costa, one OF the most famous in Europe. MI
| William Beverley was at this time scene painter
Mr.. Harris retained his position as stage mant
, | ger. A profound sensation was created in 1875
| hx,t tha tf1cfca of aT1U fo