The present success of Macfarren's Robin Hood has not been
exceeded by that of any opera, English or foreign, produced in London for many years. The mflut to Her Majesty's Theatre on the nights of its,pft- formance is unabated, and a place cannot be had in any part of the house unless it is engaged days before. Balfe's new opera, which he is writing for the Royal English Opera, is nearly completed, and its speedy production is expected. It is tame; for some remarkable novelty at this theatre is much wanted, to counter balance the immense attraction of Robin Hood at the other house.
A series of musical performances' called "The People's Philharmcmic -Concerts," have been set on foot at Exeter Hall. We do not know who are the entrepreneurs; the only name announced being that of Dr. James Peel; conductor of the orchestra. The object of the undertaking is to give first-rate concerts, of sacred as well as secular music, on terms as low as those of Jullien's promenade concerts. We heard The Messiah the other evening, well performed on the whole, the principal singers being Madame Catherine Hayes, Madame Laura Baxter, Mr. Wilbye Cooper, and Mr. Weiss. The Hall was not well filled ; but if these concerts are persisted in and judiciously conducted, they may probably become suffi- ciently remunerative. Signor Alary has been created by the Queen of Spain a Knight of the Royal Order of Charles the Third. Is this as a reward for his having eunen1 tri the score of .Don Giovanni in order to enable Mario to sing the part of the Don ? We do not know of any other way in which this Signor Alarv has distinguished himself.
Madame Yenny Luther, the well-known singer, has just gained the great prize of 73,000 florins (7300/. sterlin() in an Austrian lottery, and has received the money from a banker of
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