The Sun. — 1837-06-26 (London, England)

DRURY-LANE.—An English version of Benin' =I, Norma was produced at Drury- Lane on Saturday eveniniA The scene is laid after the time of Caesars invasion, in fiau '4 where Norma (Mde. Schroeder), a Druidical Priesteo44' breaks her vestal vow in favour of Pollio (Mr. Wilson), wll° is Roman Pro-Consul there. When two children have re': suited from their secret marriage, Pollio finds his heart eaPa" cious enough for the enthronement of another Queen, Ada , ' gisa (Miss Betts), another vestal too I Rather unfortunate', in the selection of a confidante she tells her love to Normallo but Norma alone is the mighty Priestess, who can, and doe!!. free her from her holy vow. Not until then does the lover 't name transpire—he enters, and they unite in the expression °_. much becoming abhorrence at his treachery, which conclude' the first act. In the second the scene is opened by Nortnia:..4 about to avenge herself by slaying ker children, but 5 f adopts the more magnanimous resolve of self.slaughtcr, °. confiding them to Adalgisa, and of urging her to seek 14)1°s and live with him as a husband, all of which the lady very Pr V: perly declines, to intercede with him on behalf of Norma. ile reel however, unrelenting ; Adalgisa returns in tears, Pollio ;1! es..Z, suing to bear her " e'en from the sacred circle." Upon hear1.n,,,';,.2 this result, Norma is aroused to vengeance, and, by stri'.igt:.t thrice on the sacred shield of the temple, summonses 130,01/-01 Bards, and Warriors to " War, carnage, and extirpation.' .ifai. this moment Pollio, pursuing his design upon Adalgisa, iS "i° d covered in the very circle devoted to the virgins." His bl010:‘,1 must atone, and Norma declares, in vengeance, her hand shoto.. shed it. She offers, howcvcr, to spare his life on one on hic,i tion—that of flying from Adalgisa. He braves her fury, 5, I then threatens the murder of their children, and gloats :e. fancy on the pangs of his soul when he shall behold the 9a Foe to which she dooms Adalgisa, shining around her vietim_e_e4 the latter purpose the Druids are summoned to bear Pwri er,s) denounce that Gaulish Priestess, who, for I vile strane‘or4 broke her vestal vow. Whilst Pollio implores mere)? 'I e,i,. Adalgisa, the chorus demand the name, and Pollio feels tie . I love—the faith—he has lost when she exclaims " 'tis Noerna_,ei, They are re-united under the veil of darkness, and led to trios flaming pile. Meagre as arc these materials, the operas' _s,',l; 1 Norma abounds in fine musical expressions, and the situa.i nef., marred as they are by the syllables, arc highly productive ~ passion. We never heard Miis Betts to greater 'Ova_ !Zs,. than in the arduous part of Adalgisa. The Clotilda of Pp1_1_,,,,, 1 Poole was very well. Mr. Wilson was a satisfactoryireei itivid., scntative of Pollio, the hero and lover. Mr. Giubl, eateerp great justice to the part of Ororeso, the arch-Druid arta , he of Norma. The opera was well received, and is likely to we. the concluding effort of the Drury-lane season. innYesterday morning as John Hulforcol, Esq., tleman of independent property, residing in Great street, Fitzroy-square, was attending the Unitarian c_Uanli !riol, together with his wife and family, he uttered an e.x I_. !,,,,j,,, of pain, and, falling down in his pew, suddenly expireelrus.., melancholy and awful circumstance took place at the p'eson the cotnus! tion of the second lesson, and so great was sereiceie thereby produced that it was with great difficul theeviave the:4 could be afterwards proceeded with. All efforts to_ ea. is 0114 unfortunate gentleman proved unavailing, and, WI, t . 191 i i!!:31 Coltett. c!rOlniroA' more lamentable, Mrs. H. is in danger, through the stance, of losing her senses.