heir.
Monsieur Jullien has opened his brief but spirited annual campaign at Drury Lane ; and note of preparation is heard from other quarters, announcing a greater variety of musical performances than is usual at this season.
Jullien's concerts began on Monday, and will continue, we believe, for a month. These entertainments have acquired an artistic value and po- sition which could not have been anticipated at the time when the entre- preneur, with his ambrosial curls, snowy expanse of cravat and waist- coat, and magnificent air in brandishing his baton of command, afforded inexhaustible food for the facetious Mr. Punch. Jullien has had the tact and skill to solve the difficult problem of pleasing the popular taste, not by sacrificing to it, but by guiding it and raising it to a higher standard. He has taught promiscuous multi- tudes to enjoy music hitherto addressed exclusively to the refined and cultivated ear ; and he has succeeded, not by administering it in heavy doses, but by discreetly mingling it with lighter and more palatable ingredients. Jullien's orchestra is always magnifi- cent; he is himself a good conductor, and his performers comprise almost every eminent instrumentalist now in London. Every thing is got up and executed with the utmost care and completeness ; as much pains being bestowed upon a waltz or a quadrille as upon the most ela- borate movement, and there are few thingsmore animating and exhilarating than Jullien's quadrilles and waltzes. On the opening night the theatre was as full as possible. The dress-boxes had a fashionable appearance ; and the audience in the promenade were as quiet as such a crowd could be expected to be. The house was gayly fitted up and decorated, and the customary attention was paid to the refreshment and amusement of the public. The music, however, presented less novelty than usual on a first night. The principal "high-class" pieces were Beethoven's Over- ture to Leonora, the Funeral March from Mendelssohn's Symphony in A minor, and the Andante from Beethoven's Symphony in D. The chief popular feature was a repetition of the Exhibition Quadrille, brought out last year by way of anticipation. Bottesini played a solo on the double- bass which had been heard at the concerts of the past season. Miss Dolby sang the contralto air from The Huguenots, and a Scotch ballad. Every- thing, however, was capitally done, and well received.
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