Miscellaneous.

Lyttelton Times, Volume IX, Issue 557, 6 March 1858, Page 5

Miscellaneous.

EXTBAOBDINABY SCENE AT THE ITALIAN OFEBA, DUBLIN.

(From the * Dublin Evening Mail.')

The opera season has closed in Dublin for the present year, and the noblest composition of all —Don Giovanni of Mozart—was reserved as a bonne bmiche for the concluding entertainment, and it would seem as if .our music-loving public of all ranks and classes, had reserved all their enthusiasm for this occasion. It has often been our pleasing task to record the occurrence of nattering demonstrations of popular regard and admiration evinced towards eminent actors and vocalists within the walls of the Theatre RoyaL but certainly on no occasion within our memory have we witnessed such & furore as that^ which pervaded the vast audience which contrived to get crammed and packed into every part of available space in every compartment of the theatre on Saturday evening. Long previous to seven o'clock every approach to the interior was besieged by dense crowds. The colonnade leading to the box entrance was densely thronged, ana the crush in the vicinity of the pit door was immense. At the opening of the doors the rush into the pit was really awful, whilst the crowd poured in like an avalanche into the galleries, so that in a marvellously short time the interior of the house was crowded in every part. But " the cry was ' still they coma,'" and we do believe that the problem of how many living beings could be packed into a given space, without suffocation ensuing, has seldom been more eifectually tested. After the close of the first act there was a general call for Mademoiselle Piccolomini, accompanied by loud cheering. The fair chanteus'e was led in front of the curtain, and was greeted with renewed thunders of applause, &c. Here -an offering from "the

gods," as well conceived as it v/as cleverly executed, was presented to - Mdle. Piccolomini. From the roof of the theatre, in front of the stage, a very beautiful wreath, or coronal, composed of natural flowers of the rarest kind was seen descending, being let down by slender strings from the top gallery at either side. This wreath was taken by Signor Mercuriali, who, after disengaging it from its suspension, placed it upon the brow of the fair donna, amidst one of the most exciting scenes imaginable. Appended to the wreath, and confine 1 by a network of silk thread, was a beautiful canary bird. A richly embossed card was attached by red.^ blue, and white ribbons to the wreath, bearing the following inscription: —" With the best wishes for her further fame and future happiness, this wreath is presented by the gods to Maria Piccolomini, as the most worthy offering to genius, wit, and beauty." Mdlle. Piccolomini seemed deeply impressed with this compliment, not for itself, but for the cordial manner in which it was offered. The gods then put their vocal choir into requisition, under their conductor, wielding a white wand. They sang with much taste the following original song, the refrain of which was chorused by a large number of the audience:—

SONG " PICCOLOMINI." Air—" The Red, White, and Blue." We thank thee sweet daughter of beauty, For the light of thy presence and song; We thank thee, for 'tis but a duty We feel as we cheer thee along. The sweet winning grace and the pleasure That beams in thine eye while you sing Have brought us a joy beyond measure, For which we your praises now ring. Chprus—For which we your praises now ring, For which we your praises now ring, Have brought us a joy beyond measure, For which we your praises now ring. We have twined thee with friendship and feeling A garland of flowers for thy brow, With tthe hope, that though years may come stealing, They will find thee as happy as now. For thy pure mind no fitter a token

Than the wreath which we gave you to-night May thy fame, like that wreath, be unbroken,

And bring to you always delight. Chorus—And bring to you always delight,

And bring to you always delight, May thy fame, like that wreath be unbroken, And bring to you always delight.

During the rest of the evening, Mdlle. Piccolomini wore the wreath on her arm. Subsequently the toast of the Lord Lieutenant was given, and responded to by the chorus of" He's a right gay fellow," and lond cheers. General Havelock and British rule in India was then given with the air " Rule Britannia." Whilst this was being sung the curtain rose, revealing Si'gnors Belletti and Aldighieri on the stage. They both waved their sombreros in unison with the sentiment. After the second act the i toast of _" The Ladies" was given, with an appropriate song ; also " The Memory of Moore." At the close of the performance, the chief artistes, in one body, were called forth, and showers of bouquets were flung at their feet, and the farewell of the house was given in three parting cheers. Thus has closed the Italian opera season in Dublin.