29 JANUARY 1859, Page 10

The French opera company at the St. James's Theatre' are

likely to lose the credit they have gained, by departing from the judicious course they at first adopted. Consisting of clever intelligent actors and respectable, though not remarkable singers, they brought out two or three pieces of sterling merit, and performed them (especially Auber's masterpiece Les Diamants de la Coarotute) in such a manner as to gain general and de- served approbation. Their last production has been of a different sort— Le Caid, a burlesque opera by Thomas, one of the herd of Auber's imita- tors who swarm in Paris ; the work expressly written for one particular star—to enable Madame Ugalde to show the extraordinary brilliancy of her execution, and her amusing mimicry of the airs and graces of the grand opera stage. These things Madame Faure endeavoured to do ; with her limited vocal powers, she signally failed ; and for this failure there was nothing to make up. We observe that Herold's Fret aux Clercs is announced for this evening; and hope that this work of real merit may enable the company to redeem their credit.

The Vocal Association, a large choral society, which has been carried on for several years under the direction of Mr. Benedict, gave their first concert this season, on Tuesday evening, at St. James's Hall. The chorus of this society, numerically strong, has not hitherto been very select, and the performances have suffered accordingly. Now, however, a more stringent system has been adopted, and candidates for admission are not accepted until they have undergone a "competitive examination" by Mr. Benedict in person. The fruits of this improvement were per- ceptible on Tuesday evening, in the increased precision and smoothness • of the chorus-singing. The arrangement of the concerts is altered ; they are to be twelve in number during the season, and of two kinds, dress and undress. The dress concerts are to be on a great scale, with a powerful orchestra, and the most eminent performers of every class. At the undress concerts all the performers are to be members of the asso- ciation; and the music is to be songs for solo voices, part-songs, and choruses, the piano being the only accompaniment. The purpose of these concerts is to give young and promising singers the opportunity (so difficult to obtain) of being heard by the public. This part of the scheme promises to work well. The concert of Wednesday was an undress one, and the singers were such as we have mentioned ; but several of the young ladies—two of them especially, Miss Mann and Miss Chipperfield—showed such qualities and attainments that their future success can scarcely be doubted. At the next concert (a dress one), on the 9th of February, the principal feature will be Sterndale Bennett's May Queen, to be performed with Sims Reeves, Miss Stabbach, Miss Palmer, and Mr. Santley, as the solo- singers, and with a great orchestra and chorus. This beautiful work is also about to be given a second time at St. Martin's Hall by Mr. Hullah and we may add that the directors of the Philharmonic Society have re- solved to give it at one of their earliest concerts.