Mr. Beale of Regent Street, the manager, has sent us
the prospectus of the "Royal Italian Opera" in Covent Garden Theatre, "established for thp purpose of rendering a more perfect performance of the lyric drama than Ins hitherto been attained in this country." By this document the public are informed that the theatre will open in the first week in April; and that it hr intended, in the course of the season, "to produce some of the established works of Cimarosa, Mozart, Rossini, Meyerbeer, and others of the more- modern Italian School, including operas by Bollini, Donizetti, Mercadante, and Verdi." The vocal company is very strong both in number and talent. It includes the old favourites, Grisi, Persiani, Mario, and Tanaburini. Among the new and comparatively new names are several of great emi- nence,—Signor Ronconi, who was here a few seasons ago; Salvi, who has sung here only at concerts, but has a high dramatic reputation on the Continent; Signora Alboni, a contralto of extraordinary vocal power; and Rovere the favourite buffo of the day in Italy. Of the remainder the fame has not reached us. The orchestra (under the direction of Costa) presents a great array of distinguished names. Its substantial part, the stringed quartet, is greatly enlarged : there are 30 violins, 10 tenors, I. violoncellos, and 9 double-basses, with a full complement of' wind and per- cussion instruments. Among the violins, are Sainton, Blagrove, Ella, Dando, and Willy ; the principal tenors are Moralt and Hill ; the principal violoncellos, Lindley and Lucas ; and the principal contrabassi, Anfossi and Howell,—a host of instrumental talent which Europe could not surpass. The ballet list contains the names of Dumilatre, Plunket, Fuoco, Baderna, Petipa, and several others as yet unknown. Fanny Elssler's engagement is announced as pending; but we have since been informed that it is concluded. An excellent arrangement is mentioned—that no divertissement will be suffered between the acts of operas. Such are the heads of this prospectus; which certainly holds out a magnificent promise.
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