5 FEBRUARY 1859, Page 13

At the Scala at Milan a Ballet has been brought

out under the title of The Passage of the Beresina. Only think of the horrors of that fearful day being depicted by a series of pirouettes and entrechats, pas genie, pas de deux, and pas d'ensemble !

Mr. E. T. Smith has announced his forthcoming Italian Opera. He calls it the "Royal Italian Opera, Drury Lane;" thus borrowing the title of Mr. Gye's establishment at Covent Garden. Mr. Smith gives a list of the prin- cipal performers engaged :—a list from which we do not learn much, for most of them are unknown to the English public; and, of those who are known none have hitherto held leading positions on our Italian stage. The date of opening this new "Royal Italian Opera" is not specified.