who, in addition to wielding his baton, shakes his sides under the facetious administrament of so great a buffo as Signor Ronconi. Not only in such characters does he shine; but, to show his Protean abilities, he appears in "Otello" and "William Tell." It would do Mr. Brooke some good to see the Swiss liberator as represented at Covent Garden. Music now reigns paramount. At the house "over the way,' Apollo is in the ascendant. Of all the changes that have attended DRURY LANE for some years past, the present is certainly to be hailed as the most satisfactory in every respect. The address which has been put forth is couched in the best conceivable taste, quiet, simple, and unpretending; at the same time devoid of that canting "pride which apes humility." It stands out in bold relief to the flaming announcements of eulogy and bombast which so long imparted a vulgar and bad preeminence to that theatre. The directors maintain that nothing can be further from the truth that England is not a musical country. In no country is musical talent more readily appreciated, or more liberally rewarded. Proofs are given in the instances of M. Jullien, the Sacred Harmonic, and new Phil-harmonic Societies. As success has crowned these efforts in concert music, the experiment is now made in Opera, and the directors well observe: "The Germans, Italians, and French, in their own countries, can command an Opera, at such moderate terms, that it is to them a popular and habitual, not an exceptional entertainment. The average prices of admission are even less than those at our minor theatres. The English, equally appreciating operatic music, are debarred from its enjoyment by prices which prudence rejects, often ever where the means permit. The Directors of the Royal Opera believe it essential to a popular opera, that while its artistes must be of undoubted talent, the works performed of the highest order, and the execution as complete as possible, it should be not less available to the public, at a charge so moderate as to come within the means of all classes. The closing of Her Majesty's Theatre having left a great number of eminent artists disengaged, the directors believe the present a favourable opportunity for the establishment of the Royal Opera. They trust to be able to prove their claims to public encouragement. Upon the support of those who have hitherto been debarred from such an amusement, they especially rely; and they are not the less confident of being able to deserve the patronage of the aristocratic and wealthy." The subscription is to be for one hundred nights, half to be devoted to Italian opera, and the other half to German opera, making six performances in the week. How it is possible for this arrangement to be carried out remains to be proved. With the same singers, it almost appears impossible; as far as the season has yet gone, good faith has been observed; but the exertions of Madame Caradori and others must be of too severe a character to be persevered in. Be that as it may, the undertaking deserves every support for the highly meritorious manner which distinguishes the whole of the arrangements, to say nothing of the great importance involved in the experiment of presenting the public with opera of so high a class at so reduced a rate of admission. Stalls at seven shillings, boxes at five, pit at two shillings, and galleries at one shilling, is a tariff that appears incredible. Low as this may appear for an operatic entertainment, it is even now a question of policy if it would not be wise to extend the pit at the expense of the stalls? 66 The orchestra, with Herr Lindpainter for conductor and M. Tolbecque as leader, numbers some of the best instrumentalists of the day; and the chorus, chiefly from her Majesty's Theatre, is correct, well disciplined, and well up in its duties. The principals, for the most part, are unexceptionable: the performances of Norma," " Lucrezia Borgia," and "Der Freischutz," affording ample evidence of the vocal and dramatic attainments of Madame Caradori, Madamoiselle Sedlazek, Mademoiselle Vestvali, Herr Reichart, and one who in himself is a host-Herr Formes who in addition is Regisseur. From the specimens already furnished of the repertoire, there is every reason to indulge in the belief that success may attend the Royal Opera. It should be observed that not only has the house been thoroughly cleaned, but a mode of ventilation has been adopted which is pleasant in the result. Would that other managers would take a lesson in this respect for the cooling of their present "hot-houses." At the HAYMARKET, "Mr. Buckstone's Voyage Round the Globe in Leicester-square" furnishes the wherewithal for Planchè to indulge in puns and allusions to the stirring times we live in, and for Mr. Buckstone to act as a lively exponent. That he should go to sleep on his visit to the Globe in Leicester-square, is not at all astonishing to those who have had the misfortune to undertake that very disagreeable tour, odoriferous as it is of brimstone and unpleasant gases. Nothing can be better than the beginning: the points are as sharp and cutting as the late easterly winds; to go beyond this, it is morally impossible afterwards it becomes tedious; still, that which is wanting on the part of the author is fully made up by actors and scenery. Some of the panoramic views are effective, and admirably adapted for the occasion. This Easter offering is preceded by a comedy, generally well put upon the stage. In "Speed the Plough," Mr. Compton succeeds in giving a good homely idea of Farmer Ashfield; on the other hand, Mr. G. Vandenhoff, as Young Handy, is dreadfully severe in his humour. The revival of " London Assurance" enables Miss Featherstone to succeed Mrs. Nesbit in the part of Lady Gay Spanker; but she should bear in mind that the merry laugh of her predecessor, albeit agreeable enough, was not that which she rested her pretensions upon, but her acting was of a kind that fully entitled her to the fame she acquired. At one time Miss Featherstone showed signs of becoming an actress but, like too many, applause has spoilt her. Instead of taking pains, and studying her art with increased vigour, she appears to have contracted a loose and vulgar style, which is to be regretted. In the new piece at the LYCEUM there is but little to comment upon, the acting of Mr. Charles Mathews as a roué, Mr. Frank Matthews and Miss Oliver as husband and wife, serving to give a greater importance, perhaps, than is deserved by the intrinsic merits of "Give a Dog an Ill Name." The Easter entertainment at the PRINCESS'S is produced with all attention to effects and grouping, so observable under the present management. "Faust and Marguerite" is remarkable for the acting of Mr. Charles Kean, whose Mephistophiles is no common devil, being indeed the most superior of demons. It is unquestionably Mr. Kean's ablest pourtrayal. Miss Leclerq's Marguerite is a pleasing performance, abounding in tenderness and feeling. With all the elements of success that the spectacle possesses, it is greatly to be deplored that recourse should be had to such an expedient as that of sending up the heroine to heaven, with angels guarding her. The correctness of taste in illustrating such subjects, to say the least, is questionable. At ASTLEY'S, the bellicose nature of the period is not lost sight of, Mr. Cooke treating his holiday friends with a spectacle abounding in battles, combats, skirmishes, and a most ingeniously-devised shipwreck, with horses on the transport; all these startling incidents are presented in a hippo-dramatic form, bearing the title of "The War Horse of Spain.' How so many vicissitudes can be gone through, with that utter disregard of danger and scorn of personal comfort, so characteristic of the British (stage) soldier and sailor, is of itself a marvel. The part which passive Prussia takes in the war has prompted Mr. BURFORD to add to his "Constantinople" and other panoramas, in Leicester Square, a view of Berlin. If it could also bring the "powers that be," of that city, closer to us, Mr. Burford would have performed more than diplomatic agents appear to be able to manage. Before leaving the locale (Leicester Square, and not Prussia), you must take Smith's TOUR OF EUROPE, which, at Saville House, is to be viewed in an hour or two; and certainly it must be pronounced to be one of the most faithful pictures of the scenes so amusingly described by Mr. Smith, whose quiet sarcasm is in itself a feature not always to be met with in this era of panoramas, dioramas, and all other ramas. Mr. WOODIN has once more come before the town with his CarpetBag, which differs from others of its class in the important particular that, in the generality of carpet-bags, you can never stow away too much. Now in his Carpet-Bag, there seems to be no end to the things coming out of it, and good things too, be it said. The HUNGARIAN CONCERTS, at the Marionette Theatre, are given with a nightly change of the programme, which, from the character of the compositions, and the manner of the exponents, on all occasions, must be spoken of with that degree of favour so well earned by the meritorious catering of the manager, whose energy is well suited to the times. The POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION is attended by all who are earnest in their desire to acquire the knowledge which the latest exhibition of the development of skill affords; and by others whose taste rather seeks the anusing. The combination to be met with at this Gallery enables the one and the other to be gratified. THE FINE ART S. THE BEAUFORT HUNT.-We find the well-known picture by the Brothers Barraud, of the Lawn Meet at Badminton, is now offered as the prize in a kind of Art-Union, of which Mr. Henry Barraud has the superintendence. In addition to the chance of obtaining so famous a picture, each subscriber will be presented with an engraving equal in value to the number of shares he may take. The Badminton Hunt picture is a national work; and though, perhaps, more to be coveted in the Duke's own country, there are few homes for an Englishman in which it would not be coveted. STATE OF THE ODDS, &c. SALE OF BLOOD STOCK. By Messrs. Tattersall, at Hyde Park Corner. On Monday, April 2nd, the property of Mr. Elwes: Musician, 7 yrs. old, by Lanercost out of Concertina, &c......... Namur, 2 yrs. old, by The Hero out of Moodkee, heavily engaged... Farmer's Boy, 5 yrs. old, by Trueboy out of Crazy Peggy Do it Again (late Deceptive), by Venison out of Delightful, by Defence, with a colt foal by Blarney, and covered by Hobbie Noble Coningsby, by Venison out of Ruby... Bullfinch, 7 yrs. old, by Slane out of Little Finch. .... A Bay Yearling Filly, by Bay Middleton out of Moodkee Pensioner met with an accident a few days since at Newmarket, and was obliged to be destroyed. Mr. Howard's two year old filly, by Launcelot out of Eulogy, broke her leg at exercise early in the month, and had, of course, to be killed. She was heavily engaged, and a filly of great promise. Blight, a Derby nomination of the present year, has also been destroyed, in consequence of a severe attack of distemper; and Mr. E. Gill's yearling colt, by Gameboy out of Flower of the Tees, killed himself in a paddock a few days since. Robert Hezeltine, the jockey and trainer, died on the third of April, at Malton, in the 41st year of his age. He was a very powerful and resolute horseman, and his name is associated with some of the best performances of Alice Hawthorne and The Shadow. C. Peck, we hear, succeeds him at Hambleton. The Spring Meetings so far have had but little effect on the Derby betting; unless, indeed, it be to make the prominent winter favourites better favourites than ever. Autocrat, King Tom, and Dervish are all at shorter odds, and each with a sanguine party to support him. Their several positions on the list are already altered, and it is by no means improbable that John Scott will have his old place at the head of the poll on the day of running. This would promise to be the more likely, from all doubt being now removed as to which is the horse of the stable-Dervish at six to one; and almost anything you choose to ask about Acrobat, whose starting, indeed, is but little expected. He has disappointed a great many admirers, who from the first have been very firm in their belief as to his merits. In the next remove to this distinguished trio we have Andover, Ostrogoth, Marsyas, and New Warrior, all just at present in the ascendant; while for Belgrave and The Trapper we may report something more than a sneaking kindness. On the other hand, Bessus joins Acrobat on the forlorn hope; and Hesse Cassel being now at grass, his backer even at the price quoted, may have some difficulty in hedging his "fiver." We have no betting to report on the Oaks; and Boiardo's performance makes the Two Thousand read all one way-Virago's reducing the companion stake to a still greater certainty. The Chester Cup has seldom been so long neglected. Even now the interest on it hardly increases; and Newminster and Baalbec share most of the attention that is bestowed upon the race. The former has had a very see-saw time of it, and has often been simultaneously at two very different prices. At the time we write, we have him once more in the ascendant. |