12 APRIL 1856, Page 11

The Lyceum—for the time the domicile of the Royal Italian

Opera— opens on Tuesday next, with the Trovatore, east as in last season with one exception but a serious one ; Azucen; the gipsy, is to be personated by Mademoiselle Didiee, instead of Madame Viardot. A character as truly the heroine of Verdi's opera as Meg Merrilies of Scott's romance, is to be performed by one who is at best a pleasing contralto singer and no actress at all, instead of the most accomplished tragedian on the musical stage. As Mr. (lye can only employ his immense band, in this small theatre, factory-fashion, by relays, he means, it is said, to enable him- self to pay their salaries by employing them in a series of concerts at the Crystal Palace.

In regard to Her Majesty's Theatre, little snore is known than we mentioned last week. Mr. Lumley has not yet arrived from Paris, where he has been busied in his engagements. The only one of his stars as yet known is Signora Piceolomini, a young prima donna, much in vogue just now in Italy. She is said to be of a noble family—the niece of a Roman Cardinal, and possibly a descendant of the Piceolomini whose name has been immortalized by Schiller. We believe that Mr. Lumley is to have Madame Viardot; who at all events is to pass the semen in England.

Clara Novelle has arrived, after a winter of repose in Italy. She sang on Saturday, at Mr. Mullah's concert ; and last evening at Exe- ter Hall, in Elijah. In Costa's Eli, on the 25th, she is to sing the soprano part, which the composer expressly wrote for her, though she did not sing it at Birmingham, in consequence of some dispute with the Committee. Formes also has arrived : he too sang last night in Elfjah, and is to appear in Eli in his original part. Viardot and Rcevee are included in the cast of Costa's oratorio; - which will thus be even more conformable to the author's intentions than it was at Birmingham.

A young English singer, Miss Sherrington, made an effective debut at the Amateur Musical Society's Concert, on Monday. She possesses a fine voice, and has had a French education ; and her singing on that occasion was quite in the French style. She is said, however, to possess higher qualities ; which will probably be tested at Mr. Hullah's Orchestral Con- cert this evening.

Mr. Mullah is going to produce, next week, a new oratorio, Jephtlta, by Rheinthaler, a young composer of rising reputation.

The Philliarmonic season commences on Monday ; when the oelehrated pianist Madame Schumann (Clare Wieek) is to make her first appear- ance in this country.