The audience at the last performance of L'Africaine at Covent
Garden on Saturday found a greater sensation awaiting them at its conclusion than even the practicable ship or the upas tree. It was neither more nor less than a brief and startling announce- ment that the Royal Italian Opera had been taken by a company, that Mr. Gye would act as general manager, and that arrange- ments had been made for purchasing the rights of Earl Dudley in Her Majesty's Theatre. Everybody at once jumped to the conclusion that an operatic millennium had arrived, and that Mr. Costa and Signor Arditi would rush into each other's arms and exchange batons. But a few days afterwards Mr. Mapleson an- nounced with dignified suavity that he had a slight interest in the affair, and had no intention whatever of abandoning it. He should carry on his operatic performances at Her Majesty's Theatre as long ga he had the lease. So the matter ' stands. We do not believe a monopoly would be for the interest of the public. With Covent Garden and Her Majesty's in its bands, rivalry would not only be difficult, but impossible, and the proposed manager of the new company has never shown himself unduly fond of novelty, even when Mr. Mapleson has been pressing him closest. But as long as the latter has the lease of Her Majesty's and his present company, we doubt the probability of his giving them up.
