TILE NEW BALLET.
A SUPF.R11 ballet of action, arranged by the veteran DESHATES, with music by Bocuss, having for its subject and title Ilen.ifowski, the hero
of one of Kterzesus's dramas, was produced at the King's Theatre
on Thursday, for the benefit of Mademoiselle ST. ROMA I N. It is the most complete and magnificent pantomimic spect;iele thig has been got up for the opera since the flaneus one of Faust; and for characteristic splendour of the pageant and scenery, it is comparable with that of Kenilworth, though the story has not equal interest. The action represents the capture of the Polish Count Benyowski by the Russians ; his pardon by the Empress Catherine, mho takes him into her favour; his subsequent disgrace, and banishment to Kamtschatka, through the machillations of the Court favourite whom be had supplanted, and who, if we read the language of pantomime aright, betrays a liaison of Benyowski ; the arrival of his mistress at his place of exile, and their union ; and his escape with her and his fellow captives in a vessel that they build under the very noses of their jailers, (persuading them it is the framework of a house,) and put to- gether and take to pieces before the audience. in a trice. In the first act, the scene is laid in the Russian camp and court, where all is gorgeousness ; the second is in Kamtschatka, where no- thing is seen but snow and log huts, of course : this is reversing the usual order of scenic contrasts. The vast saloon of the Imperial Palace, with its lofty dome, supported by illuminated columns and decorated with arabesques, forms all appropriate scene for the principal dancing. The picturesque and sumptuous costumes of the Court of St. Petersburg, where furs set off the lustre of satins, velvets, and jewels, make up a coup &ail of rich and dazzling splendour. The dancing of ST. Rosette took the house by surprise, and esta- blished her reputation on a higher basis than before. It surpassed all her previous displays of agility and brilliant execution; though even before, her deserts were higher than the public appreciation of them. Her whirling pirouettes rivalled those of Peneor in rapidity and steadiness ; and her double twirls on one toe eclipsed even TAG LIONI. The applause was immense. The Russian pas electrified the house with delight, by its novelty. One of the steps was an action of the leg like that of a knife.grinder; but the graceful ease with which it was executed made its very quaintness seem besutiful. ST. Hosts's: seems to have discovered how much manner tells with the spectators ; and, taking a hint from her rival Geist, who by kissing her heed got a round of applause, she tripped with an airy lightness across the stage, with a wave of the hand, that, combined with her vivaciousness, was irresistible.
Geist and PERROT danced the eleirmingpas de deny which we spoke of some weeks ago—the Lover's Duet, we may term it ; in which the precision of their steps was such that they both seemed to move with one volition. They introduced, too, a flying sort of action, which is extremely graceful. CARLOTTA Geis' and PERROT might dance a pas de. deux in the character of the Siamese Twins!
COULON'S pantomimic expression and gesture, as Benyowshi, have all the spontaneous eloquence of nature heightened by the finish and delicacy of refilled art. Madlle. COPERE is a commanding Empress, and her courtiers make a most gallant show.
The Queen was present, and sat out the ballet, notwithstanding the delays incidental to a first performance prolonged it till long past mid- night. The house was not brilliantly attended, however : there were only a few Court plumes visible; it not being a subscription night.
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