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Flotow's Martha—an opera in great vogue at present all over Europe —was reproduced at the Covent Garden Italian Opera on Tuesday. Poor Bosio, the Lady Eurichetta of last season, was replaced by Lotti. In other respects, the piece was performed nearly in the same way as last year : Lionello, the young farmer, being personated by Mario ; Plunkett, his friend, by Graziani (who appears to have made up matters with Mr. Gye); and !Nancy by Didiee. Mademoiselle Lotti, a pretty 'woman, a lively actress, and an admirable singer, pleased the audience, though most of them must have had Bosio's fascinations fresh in their remembrance ; and the whole performance went off with the utmost possible spirit. The Queen, the Prince Consort, our young Princess of Prussia, and other members of the Royal Family, were present, and the house, which was full, had a brilliant aspect.
On the same evening, the Barbiere eff Siviglia was produced at Drury Lane, for the first time this season. The performance was excellent and successful. Mademoiselle Guarducci was the Rosina, a part suited to her in every respect. The music fits her fine mezzo-soprano voice, and her personation of the young Spanish lady was gay and lively, with a proper mixture of refinement and dignity. Mongini's Count Almaviva was very good. His superb tenor voice was heard to great advantage ; though he is liable to exaggeration both in singing and acting. We have never met with anything more artistic than Badiali's Figaro. He is of the pure vocal school which existed in Italy before the present fashion of screaming and bawling came in with the operas of Verdi, and, as an actor, he is comic without buffoonery. Marini's Barthel° was a sensible straightforward performance, but lacked the rich and racy hu- mour thrown into the part by Lablache. The theatre was full, and the opera was extremely well received. The rival houses appear to be going on well at present. Both have good companies; for Mr. Smith certainly has the merit of having discovered much talent previously unknown to us; while Mr. Gye has been able to keep his strength fully up to the level of former years.
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