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Leader (1850-1860), 24th December 1859, Edition 1 of 2, Page 1390, Untitled Article

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      Royal English Opeka , Covent Garden .- —The grumbler ' s rest—if such a thing can be imaginedis again disturbed . The prophet of evil , ever in wait with his carping auguries of failure * has once more lost for a while his occupation , as far as this enterprise is concerned ; for the gift of what he sighed for has forbidden him the pleasure of sighing , and should he venture to condemn the quality of the boon , he would find but a paltry minority to hear him . The production , by an English Opera management , of " Victorine , " an English three-act opera , ¦ written by a thoroug hly English composer , Mr . Alfred Mellon , and sung by a wholly national another excellent

      company , must be accepted as instalment in redemption of those managerial pledges , whose tardy fulfilment , due more , we believe , to the slowness and prosperity of composers than to any anti-national predilections of Miss Fyne and Mr . Harrison , has been a fruitful theme for the malcontents of the day . The " Victorine" of old Adelphi davs , with whose memory is associated that of the best periods of the late Mrs . Yates , and of Messrs . Buckstone and Wright , has unquestionably suffered by its reduction to the limbo of longs and shorts by the librettist , and by the substitution of lyric comicality for the broad farce of the Buckstoneupon-Scribe original . ; . The melodramatic suicide , made the

      again , which , in one form or another , was finale Of both the French and English plays , has given way in the opera to a happy-ever-after conclusion , which , as giving room tor the introduction of a highly elaborated rondo finale , has' been more convenient to both the prima donna and the composer , and is certainly more agreeable to the public at large than the delineation , however skilful , of long-drawn agonies terminating in a death climax . The overture to " Victorine , " we are glad to say , has the merit of being neither spasmodic or disjointed , but a brilliant and continuous whole . At its close , we are introduced to the chambre garnie of the ouvriere Victorine ( Miss Parepa ) , an aspiring

      damsel , who falters between the virtuous love of her equal , Michel ( Mr . Haigh ) , and the worldly proposals of the man of fashion , Julien ( Mr . Santley ) . She is encouraged to aspire to the questionable honours of the demi-monde by her companion , Louise ( Miss Thirlwall ) , and one Griffon ( Mr . Honey ) , a cynical member of the working class , who parades before her the charms of furniture , horses , dress , and delicate hands , contrasted with the troubles attendant upon love in a sixth floor , She resolves , as all playgoers are aware , " to sleep o ' n't , '' and the second act presents a dream , in which the moral of the tale is argued so correctly that the third brings us to a waking decision in

      favour of virtue , and a wholly satisfactory conclusion . We can hardly pretend here to give a thematic catalogue of the two-and-thirty morceaux of the opera ( of which Messrs . Chappell and Co . have published fourteen" ) , interspersed with critical remarks" for which they offer ample field . But we can find space to mention a few of those which produced the most notable effect upon an audience of more than usually appreciative calibre . The first great sensation—after the charming overture—was caused by Michel ' s ballad on the Balfean model , " For I love thee alone , " in which the worthy upholsterer declares his passion , when he bursts in on the insinuating counsels of Griffon and Louise , and finds

      to his discomfiture , upon how unstable a basis stand the affections of his ladylove . In this—in " The Heart that is too lightly Won , "—( Act 11 /)—and in « Wilt thou Forsake Me " ( a duet , excised after the first representation , but a morsel of high lyrical quality —Mr . Haigh displayed to advantage the fine quality ¦ with whioh a portiqn of his voice is endowed , and did justice to the music committed to him . Mr . ^ antley has but one charming ballad , which he sings beautifully , called " I Never can Forget , " preceded by a delicious prelude for the clarionet of Lazarus , and in which he , of course , gains nightly the honour of an encore . That this will become the air of the opera , as far as the music shops are concerned , we have no doubt . There is no other great opportunity for this artist throughout the work , except the cleverly

      written graceful duo " Good Sir , etc . j" but Mr . Santley ia clearly and rapidly improving as an actor , while as a singer , his eminence has been long assured . The burdon of the opera , by no means a short or trivial one , as well as nearly all the honours , fall to the soprano , and Miss Parepa , whom we congratulate upon now confessing her nationality , bears so veil the first that she richly deserves the last . She has presence , physical power , dramatic appreciation , rich vocal quality in parts of her range , and highly scientific vocalisation ; a collection of gilts that place their possessor highly among lyric artists . In ., the beautiful airs "To love and be loved , " and " The Voice of Midnight , " in Act I . j in the truly romantic " Why Lingering Mourner " ( a true spark of the composer ' s higher genius ) t in the bravura

      rondo at the end of all ; and in the whole' of the ^ second act , on which Mellon ha 6 been lavish of his treasures' of harmony and melody , she honourably- w . on , as we have said , the liberal' applatfse of the discerning , and maintained the high position" she acquired before the production of Victorine by" her impassioned performance as Leonora . Subordinate parts are allotted to Mr . Honey and Mr . Corri , the artistical basso , whose aid is invaluable in the concerted music throughout , and especially- in the superb finale to Act II . Neither have we space now to enlarge upon the merits of this long and excellent portion of the composition , in which the gracefullest of melodies are supported by grand masses of sound in a manner that does honour to the musician * and favours the presumption that the public may look for other works of pretension by the same hand . .

      The first performance of a work by the lieutenant of Costa , the better musical half of Jullien , the chief of the Orchestral Union , the director of the Musical Society of [ London , could not fail to create a sensation , among the profession , and all amateurs ; and it is gratifying to be enabled to state that the hopes all indulged in for the success of one so socially as well as professionally . popular have been answered . To say that there is not still more to hope for , would be to say that the young maestro has reached the limits of his capacity and of his ambition . But we look for more and yet more ; auguring from the ¦ " Victorine "—which has been extorted from Mr . Mellon ' s modesty rather than blossomed from his self-confidence—that

      there are power and facility behind , which . some day , if time permits , bring forth far greater things . Now that the unconsidered gems of melody —the effiiorescence of young fancy—that have waited an opportunity in the composer ' s portfolio , have been fixed upon the frame work of" Victorine , " and are ! disposed of , we may fairly hope , that deeper seated and richer veins of the musical soul will be found to yield abundantly to the labour of so accomplished a workman . Mondat Popular Concerts , St . James ' s Hall . —The novel and moat interesting feature in last Monday ' s programme was the appearance of Miss Poole and Mr . Ramsden . to give jsome of those

      exquisite English ballads which Mr . Chappell is so lovingly devoting himself to exhume and to popularise . This talented antiquary may be congratulated on having secured such able coadjutors in his meritorious enterprise ; and , after the specimen of the joint exertions of the party furnished on Monday , we have no hesitation in wishing good-speed to his old ballad movement . First on the list was " Sally in Our Alley , " given with a simplicity that lent additional charm to Mr . Iiamsden ' s otherwise excellent singing : and we are mistaken if more than

      one of the many fair damsels who ornamented the parterre might not have felt half disposed to accept the gallant artist , " box and all , " after his charming delivery of that point in the ballad . Miss Pooje is fascinating as ever . A deaf man might see her sing with pleasure ; a blind one could not half appreciate her . For , really , the archness and grace of her performance must be seen to be understood ; and we are like to be haunted , having both seen and heard , by her " Woodstock Town , " and " The Oak and the Ash , and the Bonny Ivy Tree . "

      Miss Arabella Goddard played first Bach ' s " Suite de Pieces , " in F major . So far she failed to carry with her the sympathy of the audience ; but whdn she gave Handel ' s " Harmonious Blacksmith , " they rose en masse to demand its repetition . This illiberal , ungenerous , vulgar encore practice , against which we protested in our last , bids fair to rise to the dignity of a nuisance , and almost forces the warmest hearted equality-monger to long for popular concerts without " the people , " The victims on Monday wore Miss Goddard , I iatti ( who hud opportunity for playing his best , and . did so )} and Mr . Best , whose Handel Concerto in C major produced a whirlwind of applause . These artists yielded with grace , but yet reluctantly j but ^ Herr Becker , the first violin of the evening , had the moral courage to refuse his charming strain again at the clamorous bidding of his unfeeling admirers .

      The prospectus of the fifth season of the Vocal Association has this week boon issued by the Secretary , and , without making pretensions to " largo doings " in the coming soason , there apponrs to bo a significance in the intentions of the directors which argues well for the perfect satisfaction of the subscribers , and for the advancement of tho art . G . A . Maofnrron ' s cantata , " May Day , " 0 . X 3 . Horsloy ' s now oratorio , ? ' Gideon , " and a variety of now and charming part-songs , have already been put in rehearsal , and will be performed during the scries included in tho subscription . Tito indefatigable and eminent musician , Mr . Benedict , is , as boforo , tho conductor , and tho Right Hon . Lord Ward has kindly consented to bocomo tho prosident . Crystal Palace . —The Christmas

      entertainments , commencing on the great holiday , Boxineday , will be varied and extensive . The naves and gfceat transept will be fitted up with stalls for ex hibitors , and during- the holidays a fancy fair win be constantly held . The ample space at the Crystal Palac 6 affords room for an extensive display of aftides suitable to the approaching season . At dusk it will be brilliantly lighted up with varied gas devices—a delightful evening promenade , secured from wet and cold . A huge Christmas tree-will be placed in the centre of the building , which will be decorated with holly and evergreens and a profusion of flags . The new hall for lectures and concerts is nearly finished , and will be opened by Mr . Pepper with a new and complete series of dissolving views illustrationsThe

      and photographic . Christmas recreations will be provided by Mr . Nelson Lee , who has been commissioned to provide a round of amusement from morning till night . The Campbell Minstrels , from St . James ' s Hall , a ballet troupe the grotesque singing of Mackney and Sam Collins ' with athletic magic performances , will be represented on a stage in the great transept . At dark , laughable shadows and phantasmagoric views will be exhibited . In addition to the gas devices , a large number of illuminated lanterns will be displayed . During the . holiday period , the Crystal Palace Company will grant tickets at excursion rates to large clubs , schools , and societies ; there is no doubt that very large attendances may be looked for .

      The Great Globe . —Amongst all the Christmas shows and exhibitions this geographical pourtrayal of the world we live in 13 amongst the most interesting . The Great Globe itself was deemed , on the first opening of this building , sufficiently attractive , and not without reason , for it is one of the mast ingenious contrivances ever invented to give a comprehensive idea of the planet we inhabit . The institution , however , has greatly grown with increasing years , and now contains many exhibitions and models , which form geographical , ethnological , geological , hydrographical , and astronomical illustrations of all that can interest the intelligent spectator . Lectures take place at various times , almost every hour , ' which are illustrated by well painted dioramas . In this the visitor moves down

      the-Rhine , having presented to him forty-four views of interesting and picturesque places . In the like way he may penetrate into Japan , sail up the Peiho into the interior of China , or visit all the places rendered interesting by the late contest in India ; and in the same mode he may renew the late campaign in Italy . Indeed , it would require a long catalogue to recount all that may be seen at this exhibition , which may with the greatest truth be said to be one of the most instructive , rational , and . entertaining in this metropolis , abounding as it does in such institutions .

      Pjrincess ' s Theatre . —On Wednesday the company of this theatre presented the Lessee and Mannger with a claret jug . We know how often these matters are a part of a system of pulling , but vre believe in the present case the presentation was perfectly spontaneous , and a genuine manifestation of the esteem in which Mr . Harris is held by all engaged .

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      MUSIC , THE DRAMA , ETC .

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      CRYSTAL PALACE COMPANY . Tub report adopted by tho proprietors of the CnrflTAL Palace on the 20 th inst . states , that tho gross income of the year has amounted to . £ 134 , 008 12 s . Id ., and the oxpendituro to £ 8 rf , 7 r > 3 Is . 5 d ., leaving a balance to the credit of revenue , for the twelve months ending Oct . 31 st , amounting to £ 45 , 315 10 s . 8 d . Compared with that submitted in June , 1858 , the present shows that whilu tho net earnings of 1857-58 were . £ 35 , 073 17 s . 10 » l ., those ot the past yoar are £ 45 , 315 10 s . $ d ., an improvement : arising almost entirely from th , p reductions infiaoin tho charges against revenue for tho year , in © directors also vorv correctly exclude tho receipts estmua

      and expenditure conncctod with tho Handel l from both accounts ; and it will thon bo porowveo that , while tho charges for the year ending Apru 30 th , 1858 , wore . £ 72 , 890 4 s . lid ., for tho past year they have boon but £ 05 , 302 10 s . 7 d ., and even tins latter sum includes permanent additions and improvements which might legitimately have ocoa charged to capital . Tho sum available for umeiow amounts , with , the reserve brought forward , w £ 57 , 940 10 s . lid ., which tho directors propose w apportion as follows : To the paymont of prejeronco dividend and interest on debenture stock ™ f " $ year , £ 20 , 003 5 s , 6 d , j to tho payment of a dMaenu on tho ordinary shares of 2 s . per share , wluou p ' amount to £ 20 , 059 , leaving a reserve of £ 11 , 218 fie . onto bo carriod forward to the next year ' s account . Tho whole of tho debenture stock h « s boon ullotwh tho balance of the purchase money for tno i »»»« j iu

      AWWoa * s . <» a ,, uuo on mo is * o * «« y «»»• ' > ••— - . -. paid . Only one item haa been added to tho o » p « w account , viz ., « 83 , 600 paid to tho refreshment ow » tractors , for additions to the plant . Tho totft *

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      1390 TH | : Mp | U . [ Srb ; 5 Q £ Pec . 24 , 185 Q

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Dec. 24, 1859, page 1390, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2326/page/10/