DRAMATIC AND MUSICAL NOTES.

Evening Star, Issue 4153, 19 June 1876, Page 4

DRAMATIC AND MUSICAL NOTES.

My London correspondent's letter by the Sttez mail is not so full as usual, but it con t&ins many items of interest:—r" Rossi, the Italian tragedian and rival of Salvini, iappeared in London at old Drury on April 19 as Hamlet,'but his audience had no opportunity of judging of his abilities, as he suffered from such severe hoarseness that it became necessary to apologise for him. Now, for generalities, as we draw towards Easter, the theatrical world here becomes more lively. At nearly all of the theatres some novelty is to be produced. Miss Maggie Moore and Mr J. C. Williamson are to be at the Adelphi opening in ' Struck. < Hl.' At the Lyceum, Tennyson's 'Queen Mary' is to be the novelty, all the parts save Queen Mary being short. Mr Irving will play Cardinal Wolsey, Miss Bateman (Mrs Crowe) the Queen, and I see that the name of Mr Walter Bentley, who'has joined Mrs Bateman's company, included in the cast. More of this in my next* Jefferson is still at the Princess's, though his business, I fear, must be dropping off. Miss Neilson produced on April 1 her Version of Shakespeare's "Measure for Measure," at the Haymarket, to a crowded house. At the Olympic 'The Gascon,' an adaptation from the French, is having a successful run, as also, is 'Our Jo,' at the Globe, to which company Dolly Green and Wilmot are attached. I must mention the return of the Vokes family to England, aud the fact of H. J. Byron's latest production —"Our Boys"—having reached its 410 th representation at the Vaudeville. Salvini is ' delighting the good people of" Edinburgh, and playgoers are - anxiously looking forward to that grand combination—the greatest of this century—which we are promised in the appearance together of Ristori, Salvini, and Rossi. I see you have had a representation in Dunedin of ' Grif,' %t the Queen's. So also has Farjeon, and it would be well for them to take care." Apropos of Mr Farjeon (whose latest serial "The Duchess of Rosemary Lane," in Tinsley, is a great success, being pronounced by the Press to be the best of his works), the 'European Mail' says his first play in London will be produced at the Olympic on the withdrawal of "The Gascon " from its boards. The title is not yet announced, but mmor has it that it is full of that pure, human, domestic sentiment which distinguishes all Mr Farjeon's works of fiotion. Mr Henry Neville will play the principal character, that of a workingman, and there is to be a sensation scene in the drama

which is likely to become the talk of London. And concerning another Colonial—George Fawcett Kowe—l read that his comedy of "Brass," being played at the Park Theatre, New York, and of the author himself in the character of Waifton Stray, is the greatest that this popular author and actor has yet achieved. The comedy will continue to be played in New York until the middle of \June, when Mr Rowe will visit London and will start from this city on a continental tour with Mr Farjeon. Early in September Mr Rowe will return to America to fulfil

the engagements made for the representation of his comedy in the various States. It is likely that next year "Brass" will be produced at the Haymarket Theatre in London, under the management of Mr Sothern. The opera season was opened by Mr Gye at Covent Garden on March 28 with " William Tell." AJI the principal soprani and contralti of last season are re-engaged, including Patti, Thalberg, Biauchi, D'Angeri, Scalchi, AP>ani,. and in addition Mdlle. Rosavalle, Emma Abbott, Mdlle. Proch\ and EVa de Synnerberg, who will make their Mbuts during the season. The tenors, baritones, and basses'are very strong in numbers, there being fourteen of the former, Tamagno and Gayarre being the new names, but it is somewhat doubtful whether the latter, will appeal*. There are fqnr baritones, Signor Medica being the only new name, and nine principal basses, Sjgnors Conti and Monti being new to England. Four new operas are named, and three positively pro. wised. The list consists of "Aida," with •Patti; " Tannhauser," with Albani ; "iL'Elisir d'Amore," with Thalberg as Adina; and " Mose in Egitto " for Biauchi. Signori Vianesi and Bevignani are the conductors of opera; Sir Julius Benedict of the Florai Hall concerts.

Mr Mapleson's prospectus of tlie forthcoming season of Her Majesty's Opera explains the causes of the non-completion of the grand National Opera House on the Victoria Embankment, and the consequent necessity of again giving the performances in Drury Lane Theatre. The new building, however, is to be ready for the commencement of the season of 1877 at the usual time, the t)rury Lane performances of this year beginning somewhat later than usual, April 29 being fixed for the opening night. Most of the principal .artists of recent and previous seasons are to reappear, including Mdlle, Titiens, Madame Christine Nilsson, Mdlles. Chapuy and Varesi, Madame Tre-belli-Bettini, Mdlle. Justine Macvitz, Signori Fancelli, Canlpanini, Rota, Del Pueute, Galassi, and Herren Behrens and Rokitanksky. New appearances are to be made by Mdlle. Mila Rodani, Signor Stagno (principal tenor of the Madrid, St, Petersburg, and Moscow Opera Houses); and Signori Broccplini and Fiorini, whose names appear in the list of basses. An important accession

to the company is made by the engagement of M. Faure, who has hitherto been associated with the Royal Italian Opera. No novelties are promised in the way of production ; .but several classic works are named for performance, in addition to operas of a lighter and more popular class. Among the former is Cherubini's tragic masterpiece ''Medea," which was given for the first time in England in 1865, at Her Majesty's Theatre, under Mr Mapleson's management, and'has been but too seldom heard since. Again it is to have the advantage of Mdlle. Titiens's fine performance as the heroine. Wagner's " Lohengrin," {H'oduced during the Drury Lane season of ast year, is to be repeated, with Mdme. Nilsson as Elisa and Mdlle, Titiens as Ortruda, as before. Sir Michael Costa retains his office as director of the music and conductor, M. Sainton is again principal first violin and soloist, F. Godfrey directs the band of the Coldstream Guards, and Beverley is the Bcenic artist. It is reported that Mr Mapleson, as well as Mr Guy, has a claim to the services of Signor Tamagno and Signor Gayarre. The lastnamed artist will probably go to Buenos Ayres this season; and the report is that Mr Gye intends to bring an action for alleged breach of contract against Mdme. Lucca, laying his damages at L5,0:»0. Mdlle. Titiens is engaged to sing at the festivals to be held next autumn at Birmingham, Hereford, and Bristol. Some idea is entertaiucd of performing Verdi's "Kequiem" at the Bristol Fe tival, under the direction of Mr

Charles Halle. Madame Luchesi, a youth-

ful prima don*", who is said to have a voice of extraordinary beauty, made a brilliant iWmt at Florence, as Marguerite in Gounod's "Faust."' a short time back, is of Mnglish birth, was married at sixteen, and became a widow at twenty-three, her husband, the tenor Luchesi, who had been her musical instructor, dying a year ago. Pkompter.