THE THEATRES.
The two Operahouses are producing nothing new in the musical depart- ment. There are on-dits about Jenny Lind's forthcoming appearance in an opera by Verdi, founded on The Robbers of Schiller, but nothing is said from authority. At Covent Garden, the same composer's Ernani is to be performed this evening, introducing a new prima donna; but the Nozze di Figaro, "underlined" some time ago, has disappeared from the bills. In Ernani, Alboni takes the part of the King. Her masculine appearance fita her for it; and the music, written for a baritone, will be sung by her contralto voice an octave higher, but without any transposition of key. It is said that this is to be done by the composer's desire. Mademoiselle Lind had a week's holyday—from Thursday sennight to Thursday last. On the former of these evenings she appeared in the Son- nambula, in the latter in the Figlia del Reggimento; the intermediate nights, Saturday and Tuesday, (we were almost going to call them the off-nights,) having been devoted to Ernani and the Elisir d'Amore. This evening she appears in La Sonnambula. Norma has been only once repeated since her first performance of' that character; an indication of her own conviction, or the manager's, that it was a less successful effort—less peculiarly and feli- citously Jenny Linda—than her other personations. We have heard sur- prise expressed at the fewness of her characters hitherto, and at the long intervals which sometimes takes place between her appearances. But it is not sufficiently remembered that such exertions as hers demand repose." It must be remembered also, that she is now performing in Italian, whereas her Continental triumphs were achieved in her own language, or in Ger- man. No doubt, she has learned Italian, like every well-educated musi- cian; but to perform on the Italian stage, requires a command of the lan- guage, the attainment of which must, at this moment, cost her no small time and trouble; and if she is likewise engaged in studying a new charac- ter, her present occupations must be sufficiently laborious. The productions in the ballet department at Her Majesty's Theatre have all been marked by good taste. With the exception of the version of Un- dine called Comilla, there have been no attempts to bring out anything like grand ballet; but that happy medium between ballet and divertissement has been hit which is most productive of recreation to an English audience. For pantomimic talent, indeed, the larger school of work is required; but when Terpsichorean skill and scenic elegance or splendour are alone to be exhibited, a ballet-divertissement will afford every opportunity for the pur- pose without the drawback of heavy material. The constructor will not seize upon a story, but a single thought, capable of picturesque representa- tion; and his production will bear about the same relation to a more regular dramatic work which a symbolical vignette bears to a real historical design.
Thea, one of the prettiest works of the kind, was a happy application of floral tints and floral forms. The new ballet-divertissement, which is called Les Memel's, is an application equally happy of the four colours that illustrate the four elements. The yellowish tint of earth, the bluish tint of water, the reddish tint of fire, and the pure white of air, all intro- duced in female dresses, are susceptible of the most beautiful combinations; and the groups which result are remarkable for variety without glare. Then, a great deal of fanciful invention and mechanical ingenuity is shown in the vehicles by which the elements are brought upon the scene,—though we wish that the clouds which ushered in the spirit of Air had been some- what leas similar to woolsacks. Three of the elements being personated by Cerito, Carlotta Grisi, and Rosati, there is a repetition of that sort of interest which accompanied the "pas de queue"; and the applause bestowed on the admirable danseuses has all the excitement of emula- tion. The artists well merit the hearty approbation they receive; and it is pleasing to observe how well Rosati maintains her ground by the side of the more established favourites.
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