The Sun. — 1858-06-09 (London, England)

RER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.  The programme of the season contained a pledge that Mdlle. Piccolomini should appear, at au early date, in the character of Luisa Miller, wherein she had achieved, in Italy, triumphs equal to those which attended, and still attend, her performance in " La Traviata;" and last evening the opera was produced. Among Mr. Lumley's merits as a manager is conspicuous the tact with which he arranges and varies the attractions of his theatre. He has chosen for the production of this successful opera, by Verdi, exactly the time when such a novelty was eagerly desired, and was sure to be favourably greeted. He has his reward in one of the most complete successes of his three most successful seasons. The story of " .Luisa Miller," as most of our readers are probably aware, is taken from Schiller's "Kraft and Liebe." It is simple, touching, tragic, and very dramatic. A slight sketch of it will facilitate a comprehension of the chief points of the performance. Luisa is the daughter of Miller, a vassal of Count Walter. She has been wooed and her affections won by a young lover named Carlo, who is unknown to the neighbours, but for whom she has rejected a more ill-favoured suitor, Wurm. This Wurm is a retainer of Count Walter, and between them there is some dark secret. Old Miller has his doubts as to the young lover, which are converted into certainty when Wurm communicates to him the fact that Carlo is no other than the young Count Rodolpho, son of Walter, in disguise. Rodolpho, on the other hand, is beloved by the Duchess Frederiea, a wealthy and beautiful young widow, and Walter is bent on their marriage. Rodolpho tells.the duchess the truth, and of course only succeeds in rousing her to a frenzy of jealousy. Miller now tells his daughter the true position and character of her lover, but his denunciations are arrested by the arrival of Rodolpho himself, who avows his love and swears fidelity. At this point Count Walter enters, upbraids his son, insults Luisa, and is at once braved by old Miller. For a ♦assal thus to beard his suzerain is punishable by death, and the old man is removed in chains. In retaliation, Rodolpho whispers to his father that he is acquainted with his secret, which is nothing less than that he has obtained his title and estates by murdering his elder brother.  The second act developes the "Krafr," or intrigue. A plot is contrived by Count Walter and Wurm to separate the lovers. The third act embodies the tragic catastrophe. Luisa and her lover die by poison.  The distribution of parts is as follows :—Luisa Miller, Mdlle. Piccolomini; the Duchess Frederica, Mme. Alboni ; Rodolpho, Signor Giuglini ; Count Walter, Signor Vialetti ; Miller, Signor • Beneventano ; and Wurm, Signor Castelli. Piccolomini, in the character of Luisa, has more than sustained her high reputation as a tragic actress in' parts depending for their interest on the development of the natural emotions and sympathies of the female heart. She was ably seconded throughout by Giuglini, who acted with even mole than his usual verve and.spirit, and by Beneventano, who, if he continues these successes, willsoon monopolise the " heavy feathers" of the opera stage, thus attesting the versatility which, at the same time, makes him the best Don Giovanni we have.  The scenery of the opera is admirable, and the dresses new and brilliant. Supported as it is by the superlative talent of Alboni, Piccolomini, and Giuglini, it will probably " run" till the close of the season.