t4tictrts Ent 311usit.
A "dramatic sketch," entitled Welcome, little Stranger, and representing the normal confrion produced in a quiet ménage by an accession to the family, has been produced at the Adelphi, with decided success. Mr. Mark Lemon who has made for himself a special reputation by the frequent exhibition of dramatic "interiors," is the happy author.
Were it not for the programmes of the rival lyrical establishments, the season of Easter would approach almost without theatrical sign. A very few years back, Easter Monday was anticipated with almost as much eagerness as " Boxing-day" : now, it has altogether lost its significance.
The programme of the Royal Italian Opera season is now issued. Mr. Gye sets out by saying, that, having been prevented "by unforeseen circumstances" from obtaining the occupation of Drury Lane Theatre, he has again taken the Lyceum, which he is to open on Tuesday the 14th. He takes the optimist view of his disappointment ; comforting himself with the consideration that "many of the subscribers even prefer the smaller theatre, on account of the facility in seeing and hearing the entertainments, as well as the elegance and exclusiveness of the audiences." But he hopes nevertheless, to be able, next season, "to restore to the Royal Italian Opera a home equal if not superior to that of which it has been deprived." From the list which he gives of his company, we perceive that he retains all the principal artistes of last season,
.
Bosio Marai, Didiee, Mario, Roncom, &c. ; together with Lablaehe and GI:ideal, and two debutantes, from whom a good deal may be expected-Miss Victoire Balfe, the daughter of our popular composer, and Mademoiselle Parepa, a young singer of considerable Continental reputation. We are not promised any new operas, only rifacimenti or revivals of old ones : an Italian version of Auber's Era Diavolo, with new recitatives and additional poetry and music, by the dramatist and the composer • Herold's Zampa with alterations ; Cimarosa's illatrin2onio Segreto 'Mozart's Figaro ; 'Don .Pasquale, for the rentree of Lablache ; Mercad;inte's Giuramento ; La Traviata, with Bosio, to rival the captivating young prima donna at the other house. In the ballet department, the only known names are those of our old acquaintances Cetito and Plunkett : no male names at all are given ; so that the regular dramatic ballet will not be attempted. "The orchestra and chorus will be as last year " and Costa will be at his old post of musical director and chef d'orchestic.
Mr. Gye also announces a series of performances by Madame Ristori in the course of the season ; and we may add, though it is not yet announced, that the weekly concerts at the Crystal Palace are to be resumed.
The New Philharmonic Society gave their first concert of the season, at the Hanover Square Rooms, on Wednesday evening. The orchestra was of the usual power and quality ; and the performance of Beethoven's magnificent Sinfonia Eroica, Mendelssohn's overture to Rug Bias, and Weber's overture to the Ruler of the Spirits, under the direction of Dr. Wylde, was highly satisfactory. Mendelssohn's concerto in Cl minor was admirably played by the young pianist J. F. Barnett. These were sufficient to make a good concert, but the remainder was of very inferior quality. In particular, a serenade for wind-instruments, said to be by Mozart, was pompously announced as aeat and interesting novelty. No work of Mozart's, that is worth an ing, can be a novelty at this anything, Issue of day : and this serenade, if reallyMozart's, must have been either a juvenile attempt, or one of the numberless things which hard necessity
forced him to scribble for his daily bread, and particularly for the bands who entertained the idlers in the Vienna public gardens. There are pretty things in it, but it is weak, monotonous, and antiquated; and as it took nearly half an hour to play it, the audience wore weary before it was done.
At the concert of the Musical Union, on Tuesday evening, Mr. Ella brought forward a novelty of real interest-a new trio for the piano, violin, and violoncello, by Mr. Silas, a young composer, known to amateurs by ninny excellent works, but not so well known to the public as he ought to be. This trio was played evidently con amore, by Feuer, Ernst, and Piatti ; and the very musical audience who frequent these concerts were delighted with its masterly style, and its strength and variety of expression.
Miss Poole, the once favourite English-opera actress and singer, had a concert on Thursday evening, at the Hanover Square Rooms. An overflowing audience gave her a most cordial reception. In the concertroom half her powers are lost, for on the stage she was a lively and attractive actress as well as a genuine English singer, resembling the Blends, Stephenses, and 'frees of a former day. der rich contralto voice is as fine and fresh as ever ; and, as a singer of our own national songs and ballads, she has not, at present, her equal.
Previous page
