14 AUGUST 1852, Page 11

Her Majesty's Theatre closes its doors this evening, having given

two "farewell performances at playhouse prices." The season, as everybody knows, has been disastrous; and the same circumstances which have marred its success have also rendered it uneventful and uninteresting, by defeating the lessee's previous arrangements, crippling his resources, and disabling him ftom making his usually vigorous and effective exertions. The only novelty in the way of opera has been Casilda, the attempt of a royal amateur, which we mentioned last week. Mr. Lumley has, how- ever, made us acquainted with two excellent performers, Madame de la Grange and Signor de Bassini; and his company latterly received a valu- able addition in the person of Madame Charton, who appeared on the Italian stage for the first time. We shall be glad to most with all of them next season. To Mr. Lumley we wish recruited strength and better fortune.

Mr. Balfe, as the musical director, had his benefit on Monday.; when Don Giovanni was performed. In the hero of the opera, Bassiru proved superior to any one who has sustained the part since Tamburini.

The event of the week at Covent Garden was to have been M. Jul- lien's long-announced opera, Pietro it Grande ; which, after a succession of postponements, now stands announced for Tuesday next. Report speaks of it as a most gorgeous spectacle, and an astounding accumulation of musical sounds: "To rouse, to stir, to shake the soul, he comes, And Jove's own thunders follow Mars's drums !" But Jullien is a clever fellow, and we have a good deal of confidence in his tact and "savoir faire."

A new tenor, Signor Negrini, has appeared as Pollione in Norma; but be made no impression. He bad what is called a " metes d'estime," being a respectable performer ; but everybody found that he was super- fluous in a theatre possessed of Mario and Tamberlik.