1 MAY 1852, Page 12

The comedy of .Le Barbier de Seville is so little

known as an acting play, and is withal so closely followed in Rossini's opera, that in spite of the smartness of the dialogue, it conveys when performed now-a-days the impression of a comic opera with the music left out. Hence, though its production at the St. James's will probably have awakened a certain amount of curiosity, it can scarcely remain a permanent favourite. As for M. Regnier's representation of Figaro, it is admirable ; and the part is one of the most difficult. Certain long rapid speeches—as, for in- stance, that in which the Barber relates his life—belong to the very gymnastics of elocution, and the artist derives new glories from the diffi- culties of his task.