1 MAY 1852, Page 12

The proper interest of the Opera season has been distracted

by the Wagner war. The fair Joanna remains in Chancery ; and probably finds, as many have found before her, that getting into Chancery is no joke. At first, getting out seemed a very easy matter. An injunction against her performance at Covent Garden last Saturday evening was ob- tained on Friday. On the Saturday morning, the Covent Garden Di- rectors announced their "confident reliance" that the injunction would be dissolved that day, and that she would still appear that evening. But they made no attempt on Saturday to have the injunction dissolved, and the opera was changed to the Marini. On Monday morning, the Di- rectors, "in the confident belief that they will be enabled to procure the dissolution of the injunction of the Court of Chancery," announced "that Mademoiselle Wagner will make her first appearance to- morrow, Tuesday." But on Tuesday morning, their advertisement announced, "that in consequence of the delay occasioned by procuring the evidence necessary completely to refute the ex-parte statements made on Friday last," the Directors had determined "to postpone the first appear- ance of Mademoiselle Joanna Wagner this evening as announced." From that time the Covent Garden bills and advertisements have been silent as to Mademoiselle Wagner. Mr. Lumley, on the other hand, has a daily advertisement, informing the public that the injunction "remains in full force " ; and adding, that "this fact affords the best confirmation of the accuracy of Mr. Lumley's previous announcements, and the most effective refutation of the unwarrantable attacks to which he has been subjected." Mr. Lumley's tone of triumph is not unnatural ; for, although the delay on the part of the Wagners may not be the best con- firmation of the accuracy of Mr. Lumley's statements, yet it shows that there is much more difficulty in rebutting them than was at first sup- posed

So stands the Wagner war; and we should not be surprised were the fair prima donna to leave the country, more experimentally enlightened on the pleasures of English law than the value of English money. In the mean time, the two theatres are going on without her. Cruvelli is the chief support of Her Majesty's ; but the weight is too great for her strength, and must be divided. At Covent Garden, Grisi has reappeared in Norma. She shows unimpaired health and vigour, and has been re- ceived with all the old enthusiasm.