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

acquiring lar larger lnleIest III Jne bneabTe
The singers engaged by Mr.. Lumley were
Mesdames Piccolomini, Alboni, Johanna Wag-
ner, Albertini, etc., and some excellent male
SINGERS The dancers we're Rosati, one of the
most admired etoiies de la ddnse, and Marie Tag
honi. The conductor was Signor Bonetti.
Judging by appearances, it would have seemed
as if the ''old house, had completely regained
It's ancient prestige The theatre was crowded
every night, and there was every outward sign
OF prosperity. The subscribers were so pleased
to md themselves within the familiar precincts
of their favorite haunt that Mr.. Lumley was
summoned by them to receive an outburst oil
The bright little star, Marietta Piccolomini,
created the most singular enthusiasm-she be-
came, in fact, 1.-THE rage.' once more mania
possessed the public; this time without much
Justification. The sprightly little Sandman had
no sound claims to be considered either an
excellent singer, fine actress, or even a beau
tiul woman. She was not great artist; she
as rather a clever amateur-tull OF fire, 1t is
true, and determined to achieve success at any
cost. However, her audiences yielded to the
peculiar fascination which she exercised over
Them. From the time of her debut the fortunes
of the theatre were assured for the season.
At both houses-at Her Maiesty's and at the
Lyceum-the season was unusually successful.
There was a second provisional season at the
Lyceum Theatre, under the direction of MIR. Gye.
The director of her Maesty's Theatre, Mr.. Lum-
ley, still hoping to contest the field successfully
with his partially disabled rival, opened his
doors during 1867. 1t was desperate, but far
from happy effort. Nearly all the singers were
new to the English public. The only one whose
appearance, however, was attended with legiti-
mate success, was Slgnor Giugl1ni. The eXqul-
site quality OF his voice, the elegance of his
| style, and his handsome person, despite his un-
| doubted deficiencies as an actor, won popularity
| for him on the night of his debut. Signor Giug-
lini had originally been destined for the priest
| hood, and had been remarkable in his boyhood
and early youth as a singer in the choir of the
metropolitan church of Fermo. Ills excellence
| first as q treble, and afterwards as tenor
| attracted general notice, and many efforts were
made TO tempt him upon the lyrical stage.
These efforts he resisted for long time; but at
| length it happened that member Of the or
| chestra of the Fermo Theatre fell i'll, when
| Signor Giuglini took his place at a mo-
ment's notice. Soon afterwards, the prin-
illness from appearing, and Sgnor Giug.
lni replaced him. His success as 'Jacopo,n
in / Due Foscdri, revealed the lovely quality of
| his voice to the musical judges OF Fermo; and
from that time he decided to renounce the
church for the stage. His knowledge of music
| was thorough, extending even TO the art of
composition. The triumph Of the new tenor
was the chief operate event of 1857. Every
other male vocalist seemed to be eclipsed by
him. Mr. Lumley mentions curious peculi-
| arity of taste when speaking Of Sgnor Gluglini.
of the great tenor was for making and
| letting off fireworks. 1t was one of those
passions which almost amounted to a
mania, and engrossed all his thoughts when
a considerable adept in frework-making, and
his enthusiasm in exhibiting his beautiful
works, and his pride in success and applause,
apparently equalled that which he felt in the
pursuit OF his musical career. A pautomime
! expression of 'Catharine Wheel from a
friend in a side.boX, would make him sing on
the stage with redoubled spirit" Another of
his fancies was for making and flying kites,
formed in every variety Of eccentric device.
The prima donna who sang with him in 1857
was Mademoiselle Spezzia-a. tall handsome
woman, with an unpleasant voice.
Mr.. Lumley was anxious to revive the taste
for dancing which had died out. His prepara-
tions for the ballet were organized on q most
extensive scale. Lord Ward, who claimed from
his position TO be considered the adviser of the
director, wrote to him before the opening OF
the theatre-"It strikes me you have an enOr-
nous ballet. do not know how you will place
them ALL"
An experiment was tried by Mr. Lumley, in
the December of that year, in the shape of a
winter campaign -"eXtra performances" at re-
duced prices. The success of this experiment
in pecuniary point of view, was beyond the
directors anticipatlons. Rumor declared thai
no new theatre would be built to replace
the one destroyed by fire. 1t was not the trs
time that rumor fell into error. A theatre, new
| from its very foundation, was commenced, built
and opened for public performances withiI
twenty-siX months from the destruction OF the
old one. 1t was new and magnificent edtce
raised on the ashes of the old Covent Gardel
Theatre. The house was opened in 1858 by Mr.
Gye. There were four opera houses open tina
season-Her Maiesty's Theatre, Covent Garden
Drury Lane, and the Opera Butfa at the st
james,.
The new theatre was more ample and splendiC
than any theatre hitherto existing in London
II was still in the hands of the decorators, car
penters, and painters, when 1t opened on tn
10Th May. About the opening of the new the
atre at the appointed time, speculation hat
J been busy and hundreds Of pounds haC
changed hands on the result. The interior wa
! found to be beautiful and commodious th
utmost care had been taken to accommodate
= anxiety which Mr.. Gye had suffered from hi
desire to keep faith with the public, and hi
{ | great exertions, brought ON an illness whic
| confined him to his house for weeks. Th
| chief singers were Mesdames Grisi, BosiC
Parepa, and NantierDidiee, NM Marie
/ | Tamberlik, Gardoni, Ronconi, Tagliafco.
Mr.. Lumley had discovered another prize
another new singer, who was destined 10 gai
1 the laurel crown of Queen of Song. This wa
: Mademoiselle Netens. The season did no
begin until after Easter, and therefore muc
\ | depended on the success of the first nigh
The HOtguenOts was selected as the piece for thi
important occasion. Every nerve was strane
by the Director to render this production q
effective as possible; every effect that could b
/ commanded by scenery, dresses, and genera
appointments, had been studied and execute
. with the mnutest care. The singers rivalle
each other III zeal. The last rehearsals ey
! cited much interest and excitement; an
could obtain admission on these specIt
/. occasions was highly aroused. Mad
/ moiselle Tietjens naturally felt most anXlou
regarding the coming ordeal. "How much sh
ielt this critical position, " observes Mr.. Lumley
y: twas evidenced by her bursts of artistic animi
/. ton and excitement at the rehearsals. AS he
4 powerful voice rang through the theatre, an
), | excited the plaudits of all present the lateu