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Leader (1850-1860), 16th May 1857, Edition 1 of 2, Page 477

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      Untitled Article

      ford The middle ages are brought back . The old knight , relishing the display of his horse ' s vigour , is finely contrasted with the children , so fresh and apprehensive The obsolete costume of the stiff yellow armour contrasts with the immortality of youth ; for the type of childhood is the same in all ages , though the fashions of older people , and the costume of the time , pass by . The picture is finished with all Millais ' s power and exactness . It is , as we have said , photographed ; but painting can ' execute motion , colours , and relief , and many things denied to the photograph . In the photograph , too , the drama is always at the mercy of the actors , and can never rise above their pitch . Raphael paints what Raphael sees in his mind ' s eye ; the photograph can only give us a drama dramatized by Jones , Brown , an . Robinson ; and even of the greater colourless this of hir

      traits of nature it can only attain a engraving . In picture Isumbras « he figures are brought out under a broad light , which places every line in comparative relief ; while the landscape in the distance , the banks of the river , are subdued under the darkening tints of evening . The weakness of the picture lies probably in the fact that the painter has devoted himself too much to its parts one after another , so that there is a certain want of unity in the whole . The figure of the knight is flatter than the rest , as if it were drawn with a pencil and coloured with water-colours . The horse is scarcely finished , and , from its huge size and smooth handling , it might pass for a giant wooden horse . The children are perfect . It might be said that the figure of the knight is like a drawing cut out from illustrations of Litta ' s great book of pedigrees , and placed between two living children on the horse of Troy .

      The " Escape of the Heretic" is a more stirring tale , and more powerfully told . A lovely woman has been condemned as a heretic ; she is garbed in the condemned costume . A young gentleman has come into the prison , has taken by surprise Fra Juan Romero of the order of St . Dominic , and is in the act of cutting off the woman ' s hair before putting upon her the habit of the Dominican friar . Such , after much study , we interpret to be the occupation of the young gentleman , who wears a Franciscan friar's gown over his gayer clothing . The defect of the picture lies in a certain obscurity in the action of the rescuer . It is not clear whether he is cutting the woman ' s hair , or threatening with his knife the priest who is crouching behind her . The obscurity is increased by the expression of the lover ' s face : it is that of a man who is busied in some troublesome and hasty effort , the brows frowning , the lips stuck out ; but a certain blooming , almost smiling aspect of the countenance deprives the expression of intensity or reality , and makes you doubt whether

      some joke 13 not going forward , and whether the out-thrust lips are intended to inflict a smacking kiss . None of these remarks apply to the woman . She stands , barefooted , in the prison dress , somewhat elevated upon the steps leading to her cell ; her action , with the head slightly thrown back , the hands gently gathering her skirts about her , her knees slightly bent , expresses perfect yielding to the hasty and vehement action of the youth . Her face is a tour de orce on the part of the painter : it is as beautiful as it is gentle ; it implies at once extreme fear , sweetness , submissiveness . and trust . Under the power of such emotions , it frequently happens that the lips are somewhat lifted from the teeth , and so it is here ; and the flesh of the face dragged back by the hair . It constantly happens in real life , especially under the rough handling of such tragic occasions , that the features of beauty are distorted , and yet the beauty only stands forth more brilliantly through the trouble . To portray perfect female beauty under violent disturbance requires an absolute mastery of painting : in this triumph Millais has attained absolute success .

      Untitled Article

      THE OPERAS . Alboni ' s reappearance in the Barbiere on Tuesday evening at Her Majesty's Theatric was hailed with delight by a brilliant audience . AVe have never heard her in better voice ( it lias recovered its roundness and fulness since last year ) , or in more complete possession of her prodigious powers . She is emphatically in every sense the greatest of singers . Not only is her voice incomparably fine in quality , but her vocalisation is perfection itself . In a word , she is as much beyond criticism as Rossini . We have only to record our admiration , and to recommend all other singers to whom nature has been less prodigal to study the secrets of such accomplished art . In the luxury of listening to that melodious fountain of milk and honey ( for such it seems ) , we forget the invraisemblanca of the liosina . llorr Reichahdt is , we dare say , a very favourable specimen of the German tenor , but he is sadly out of place on the Italian stage . His voice has a distressing poverty and hollowness of tone—how different from that rich , voluptuous vibration which wo are

      accustomed to expect from a tenor !—and although he sings the Rossinmn airs in musician-like style , and with graceful flexibility , we listen uneasily , and with n sense of apprehension quite destructive of enjoyment . His attitudes , too , as the gallant Lindoro , may be had any day ( coloured ) for the small sum of twopence We never heard the Ecco ridente and the Jo son Lindoro go so fiaily . Bklletti has not the vis comica of Ronconi , but he is a very spirited Fiyuro , and sings with ease and power . Benisventano ( happily subdued by temporary old age ) is a more than tolerable Ikirtolo , but to Vialetti belong the honours of the evening , after Alhoni . His . liasttiovra . fi in all respects a capital performance ; elaborately and effectively acted , but always in keejriny , never unduly prominent ; and his singing displayed a line bass voice , full , strong , and deep , pure and true intonation , and a sound method . He sang the Calumn ' ui at least as woll as Formes , and without exaggeration . He is a positive acquisition to the theatre , not only for his excellent qualities na a singer , but for that unassuming conscientiousness which marks the genuine artist .

      The Barbiere is a nice test for an orchestra . Wo regret to bo unablo to congratulate Signor Bonetti on this occasion . Instead of improving as the season advances , the deficiencies and faults of his band are becoming nightly more obstreperous . The execution of tho overture on Tuesday night was coarse in tho extreme , and the accompaniments almost always inordinately loud .

      Madlle . Piccolomini , who , as we heard an experienced critic say , "if she cannot sing Lucia like Pjbrsiani , does it delightfully , " has performed the part this week with increased confidence and effect , but we are even better pleased to announce that she is to repeat La Figlia again on Tuesday , and to hear that she will , in all probability , appear in Linda de Chamouni ( a charming opera , never , to our thinking , fairly appreciated in England ) in the course of the season . Surely there must be some mistake in the announcement of the new ballet . Perea Nena , from over the way , to replace Pocchini ? Where did the Spanish dancers come from last ? From the Royal Standard , or from Highbury Barn ? They are all very well in their way , but their way is not the way of Her Majesty ' s Theatre . Spanish dancers have never succeeded at the Opera , nor even Spanish dances , save when danced by Italian , or French , or German feet . Will Perea Nena prove an exception ?

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      FROM THE LONDON GAZETTW . Tuesday . May 12 . BANKRUPTCY ANNULLED . — Alhxandbr Dal-RYMplk , Lime-sLrool , merchant . BANKRUPTS . — SrKO . UL Mojuck , Ooloman - stroofc , importer of foreign and fancy kooiIh— Jonathan Ujiubb , Kintbury , near Mung . orronl , Borliahiro , bulldor—Richard Gale , Bklrmott , Ilninblodon , Buckinghamshire , grocer — Castle Bhanuwin , Jan ., Blackheath-road , Groonwioh , and Himh-atrcot , l > oplford , grocer—Maky and Thomas Hun-J ) IjU 8 Ton , BoruorH-stroot , Oxford-stroot , cabinotmakorHJames May , GosweU-atroot , linendrapor—William Ouqan , Walmill , Stall ' ordshiro , Haddlor—Samukl AniuaoN , podgloy , rataU ' ordshirc , bulldor—Samukl Staiimkm , Wotvorhampton , tjlioo manufacturer— . Toun Mahnus , Dorohuator , dealer—William Luaick , Almonduury , Yorkshire , cattle dealer —• Anthony and William Ouowviikk , Jluddurallold , currloi-H ! - "UHNitY Harrison , Bholllold , tailor—Nui'TUNk and John » Ual , Donton , Lancashire , nnd Birmingham , hat manufaoooTt ^ V . 11 ^?^ 1 . onkb , Carnarvon , nlato merchant . SCOTCH SNQUJOSTJftATK > NS .-J . Tuunuull and Co ., Ju ainburffh , woollen wnrohoiiNcmou—A . Btrachan , Arlnry « nw-uuil » , Ivluroaa-shlro , wood merchant— J . Fhkouho . v ,-

      Glasgow , grain merchant—1 ) . 'I ' iiombon , Orwell , ICinroasahiro , cabinetmaker . Friday , May 15 . BANKRUPTCY ANNULLED . —J amiss Basse and Solomon Linde , 4 , Savage-gardens , Tower-hill , wine merchants . BANKRUPTS . —Hknrv ltoijKnxaoN , St . Michacl ' s-alloy , Gornhill , committalon agent— Guoitan Cockhurn Hydk , South-parade , Chelaoa , surgeon—Benjamin Oantijr , York , cloth merchant—Jonathan Entwibxle , Bury , Lancaster , tailor — Gjcojtan 1 ' illky , Walton-ou- 'JL'lMunos , * browor — James N . Knai > p , Nowport , shipowner—George Gittins , Hart-atrcot , Grosvonor-squnro , Middlosox , ironmonger—Mbnuy Ivimky Cox , SJmlfoi'd , lilsaox . grocer—Samuel Tanslky Gundy , Bolgravo-wlmrf , Pimlico , statuary and Htonomason—Aijuaiiam Mii-nks and Jamijb Milnks tho younger , Oldltant , cotton uplnnora—John Owen and Wili . ia . m JUk . huy Boon , Blrmingliain , allvoramUha and Jowellorn — William Tiioru'hon , Over Dnrwon , Lancashire , power loom cloth manufaoturor—Jamkb Stami « h , Handsworth , and William Finch , aeii ., Tipt . on , StaU'ordHhlro , paper makora . —SCOTCH SliQUWSTBATIONfii .-J . M'Mabtisu , Glasgow , draper-. ! . Woon , Edinburgh , merchant — C . ANintuflON , Arbronth , rnunuliioturor .

      Untitled Article

      I La Traviata was announced at the Royal Italian Opera for Thursday evening , and drew an immense house , but on account of the sudden and severe indisposition of Graziani , Rigoletto had to be substituted at the last moment . At almost any other opera-house in the world this unavoidable disappointment would have been severe , and perhaps severely resented ; but so consummate was the performance of Rigoletto , in some respects the chef 'd'eeuvre of Verdi , that the audience was not only satisfied , but unusually enthusiastic . From the first note to the last , the opera went a ravir . Madame Bosio—most elegant of women , most delicious of singers—is the true successor of Persiani , with a richer voice and a surer intonation . Ronconi ' s Triboulet is as fine as Frederick Lemaitre's , and on Thursday all the natural harshness of his voice had suddenly disappeared , and that ungrateful organ sounded rich and fresh . Mario was slightly hoarse , but what a quality of voice ! and what distinction in his air and manner ! The orchestra at this house is fit to be a normal school of accompaniment . Tiie Traviata is in the bills for this evening .

      Untitled Article

      Mr . Mitchell opens the campaign of the Bouffes Parisiens at St . James ' s Theatre on Wednesday evening next with three pieces , two of which , Les Deux Aveugles , and ( especially ) the last , Ba-Ta-Clan , an extremely a propos Chinoisene musicale , will , we fancy , be the talk of the town . Indeed , the repertoire of the Bouffes is rich enough to keep up a roar of laughter for a month .

      Untitled Article

      The Vocal Association , conducted by Mr . Benedict , will give a performance at the Crystal Palace on Saturday , the 27 th of June . We trust that , in the meantime , the members of the Association will take the opportunity of attending the performances of the Cologne Choral Union , whose perfection has only been attained by constant practice—an example the Vocal Association will do well to remember and to imitate .

      Untitled Article

      I Mrs . Anderson , the Queen ' pianist , has announced her Annual Morning Concert at Her Majesty ' s Theatre for the 18 th inst . She will be supported , as usual , by the full 1 orchestra arid chorus of the theatre , and the catalogue of solo singers comprises all the names which have become familiar to the frequenters of the opera during the present season . The new prime donne , Spezia and Ortolani , and the charming Piccolomini , will be there . Alboni will also take part in the performance , and Clara Novello will be added to the operatic company . Of the male voices , Giuglini will probably be the greatest attraction ; but Belletti , BeDeventano , Vialetti , and Charles Braham will be important auxiliaries . M . Remenyi , her Majesty ' s violinist , Pezzi , the first violoncello of Sig . Bonetti ' s band , are among the solo instrumentalists ; and Mrs . Anderson herself , Mrs . Jewson , and Mr . Cusins , will undertake the pianoforte performances . On ' the whole , the concert of 1857 may be expected to equal , if not to surpass , the best of Mrs . Anderson ' s well-remembered entertainments .

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      THEATRICAL NOTES . The Princess ' s has produced two novelties this week—a farce and a fire . The farce is entitled An Englishman ' s House is his Castle , and depicts the miseries inflicted on a Air . Pococle ( Mr . Hakley ) by his lodgers . The piece is from the French—of course . The fire made its appearance on Wednesday night . The velvet curtain lowered at the end of the acts caught light during the performance of liichai'd 11 . Mrs . Kean was on the stage at the time ; but , with great presence of mind , she told the audience there was no occasion for alarm . Plent }' of water soon extinguished the blazing phenomenon , and at the same time did some injury to the dresses of the actors . It was found necessary to suspend the performance ; but it is now resumed . Josej ) h Chuoigny ; or , Under the Thumb , is the title of a romance of villany which was on Monday night produced at the Adelpiii , and in which Mr . Webster exhibits one of his minute studies of character . The piece also contains parts for Mr . Paul Bedford , Mr . Selby , and Madame Celeste . Drury . Lane opens to-night with an equestrian troupe , American and Continental ; and on Monday Astley's produces an English version of // Trovatoru , with Miss Rebecca Isaacs , Mr . Augustus Braiiam , and other known singers , and , of course , the horses .

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      The access of Spring—signalised this week by a sudden burst of midsummer heat , as if the earth were veritably ripening under the approaching comet—has turned the attention of all greenery-loving Londoners to the open-air entertainments offered by ' the Gardens . ' The second season of the Royal Surrey commenced on Monday , when tho Music Hall was crowded by listeners to Mendelssohn's oratorio of Elijah , performed , under tho superintendence of M . Julhen , by a very large , eflectivo orchestra and chorus , including Mr . and Madame Weiss , Mra . Lockey , Miss Louisa Vinning , and Mr . Sims Reeves . This is indeed music for the million—harmonious art brought within reach of the humble ; and tho audience showed themselves both attentive and discriminating . —Cromorne is about to open for tho season . Wo can wish it no better fortune "than a continuance of tho present sultry weather .

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      BIRTHS , MARRIAGES , AND DEATHS . BIRTHS . i CAREY . —On tho 12 th inst ., at Gromton Rectory , Somerset-I ahiro , tho wlfo of tho Rov . Chas , Caroy : a hoii . ) WILBIER . —On tho 11 th hint ., at Rydo Ialo or Wiffht , tho wife of Major Wihnor , H . M . ' a 11 th Light Dragoons : 11 flOll . MARRIAGE . STALLARD- COOPHK . —On tho lath hint .. at Uronmboriw Church , Glouccstorshiro , WiUlani Stallard , Maq ., ofUroiiiMberrow Court , to Sarah JSinily . youngoMt daiitfhtor of thn lato JainoH Cooper , 19 aq ., of Snxville Houso , Rcdmarlo . v D'Abitot , Worcestershire . T \| j > A fill T Q TJLANDFORD .-On tho 8 th ln » t \ at tho IIolol do « lies Uritanniquoa , Naples , deeply lamented , ' / " i ifiin r den Blandfonl , yomiffUBt won of H . W . JMimUford , M » q ., oJ WoBton Uampfyldo . Somerset . . ., „ -,, 1 'ITS ! ROY .-On the l » th in . sfc , at , Kijnt SJjncii . " /' . ' c JlJ year of IiIh ago , Admiral Li . n . \ VJllliun ^ I ' a ^ fron % hfth son of AiiKiwtuN Honry , third DuWoot QmtUm .

      Untitled Article

      May 16 , 1857 . ] THE LEADER . 477

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), May 16, 1857, page 477, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2193/page/21/