THEATRES AND MUSIC.
Mr. Lumley is giving us a dose of Verdi before Easter, which, we trust, will serve for the whole season. We have already had three of that com- poser's operas—Ernani, Attila, and I Due Foscari; and a fourth, Nino, is to be produced tonight, with a new prima donna, Signora Abbadia, in the character of Abigail. Verdi's operas, especially in their novelty, must have their turn iu every fashionable Italian theatre; but their almost ex- clusive performance since the opening of the house probably arises from ne- cessity; the new principal performers, with all their talent, being young, of limited experience, and seemingly conversant only with Verdi's school. As to the Due Foseari, which was performed on Tuesday, the great impression made last year by Coletti in the character of the Doge justified its selection for his reappearance this season. The burst of welcome which greeted him on his entrance showed that this impression still dwelt in the memory of the audience. His performance struck us as being even finer than be- fore: it was, indeed, a piece of tragic acting rarely excelled on any stage, while his singing was a highly finished and beautiful display of vocal art. Mademoiselle Cruvelli, as Lucretia, was much superior to Madame Mon- tenegro her predecessor; but, like Grid, she showed more energy than soft- ness, and thus weakened the pathos of some situations.
Signora Abbadia, who appears this evening, is said to be young, and she belongs doubtless to the new vocal school. Signora Vera, who also makes her debit, is already known here as a young and pleasing concert-singer.
We may now expect greater variety of entertainment. Mademoiselle Schwartz, a contralto from whom much is expected, has already, we be- lieve, arrived; and Jenny Lind and Tadolini are said to be on their way to London. Labocetto, the famous tenor from Berlin, will probably arrive all the earlier for the events which have happened there; and Lablache will soon come from Paris. When this host of talent is assembled, Verdi will no doubt be laid on the shelf; in order to begin the series of great and classical works which have been promised.
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