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Let our readers turn to the account we Lave mentioned , and if they laugh ( as they will do ) at the description of Cockaigne "keeping" Easter at Greenwich Fair , they will not fail to see how grave a meaning lurks beneath the fun . There is one more " bill of the week , " not , indeed , relating to any performance of the week , nor even , that we are aware , yet printed . But it lias been the talk of the week , notwithstanding ; and we should omit a welcome duty in leaving it unmentioned . The old Italian theatre is to open again , after all ! We are still to have two operas . After the extensive programme already put forth by Covent Garden , we are as glad to hear this as we should have been were we , as of old , dependent on the Haymarket for the most refined and important of our summer amusements . Let it not be forgotten how many are dependent on the opening of such
an establishment for bread and work during half the year . Mr . Puzzi , who has long been a connecting link between the patrons and artists of the Haymarket Opera ; Mr . Nugent , the superintendent ; Mr . Robinson , the treasurer ; Mr . Hargrave Jennings , the auditor—these are the gentlemen ( so says the accredited rumour ) who , with the assistance , it may be conjectured , of one or two enterprising capitalists , who maintain a judicious reserve in the background , have been engaged in organizing the conditions of a management . We wish success to their endeavours . It must depend , we may be permitted to suggest , on the wise concessions of the box proprietors , in whom so large a part of the house is now permanently vested : on the proportion in which the general public will be appealed to and catered for by the directors ; and on the hearty co-operation of all the artists engaged in the undertaking .
Since this was written , an announcement , as if by authority , has appeared in the Times of Friday , that " Mr . Frederick Gye , Direetor-in-Chief of the Eoyal Italian Opera , is now the Lessee of her Majesty ' s Theatre . " This announcement is contradicted to-day in the same authoritative type . However it may be , we have one word to add , applicable to any future lessee . Let him only abandon tradition , and boldly appeal to the public , now comparatively excluded from the Opera , to support at least one of the houses ; there is , we believe , in London a sufficient , bid not a similar audience , to be found for the Opera in Covent G-arden and the Opera in the Haymarket , with mutual advantage to both ; glory and profit to the Directors , and a strong claim to be remembered among the unacknowledged civilizers . The Opera must learn to be democratised , like everything else .
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BIRMINGHAM TO AHMEDABAD . We were invited the other day to view a collection of various specimens of " Indian art , " which really means nothing more or less than the ornamental pattern running through the web of Indian life , and perceptible , like the golden bloom on Eastern garments , in juster relation to the groundwork , the nearer you approach the material on which the pattern appears . The collection occupies but two small rooms ( at No . 4 ^ - Edwardstreet , Portman-square ) , and comprises several objects which are not new to us ; yet its attractiveness is hardly to be exhausted in one visit , though that visit be , as ours was , the length of a long forenoon . The staple is of recent importation ; but there will be found a considerable number of articles selected from the Indian Court in the Great Exhibition ; among
them an inlaid box , the great beauty of which obtained the high praise of Digby Wyatt . The speciality of the display , distinguishing it most from the collection at Marlborough House , is in its abundance of blackwood carving . Tables , settees , brackets , screens , extremely solid , but saved by the designer ' s skill from an appearance of heaviness , occupy more than half the space in the rooms , if not in the catalogue . An even distribution of labour , avoiding polish in conspicuous parts , secures breadth and a regular occurrence of shadows in every specimen . Tho minor articles of carving , blended in some instances with embroidery , comprise delicately wrought punkahs , or fans ; boxes of horn , sandal-wood , and ivory , inlaid with costly stones and metals ; hookahs , painted arrows , vases , coojahs , and other vessels ; with trays , caddies , toys , and knickknacks out of number . But the great attraction will bo in the
magnificence of the woven fabrics . Jiichly coloured silks , and cloths of tho finest texture , powdered with gold , hanging in free and graceful folds , or formed into kinkhobs and sarrees ; muslins of fabulous delicacy , embroidered with silver , gold , and the sparkling beetle-wing ; shawls , carpets , rugs , matting ; all of perfect design . What wonder if our manufacturers who have literally no style whatever of their own , should each day encroach on Indian design P One can hardly agree with our great ornamentiat , Owen Jonea , that the reproduction in England of that which he so justly admires—namely , an Indian style—would be " amost flagrant evil . " Ilaa he then hopes of a real stylo growing out of English soil ? Ho has the best right to utter his opinions on the subject that a man can have ; but to us it , seems that early necessities must originate a truly national style ; and , that stage with us being passed , wo must look abroad for the bent principles . Where so wisely as to the East P
Owen Jones brings us naturally to the Alharnbra , which is tho diicf point of interest in Burfbrd ' s now picture of Granada , recently addc < l to his attractions in Leicester-square . Our readers , having discovered , by this time , that " BurfordV is an old weakness witli us , will exped , thnt we shall tell them all about tho panorama ,, in a special notice . Ho we shall . Meanwhile , we recommend those persons who possess , or havo access to , Owen Jones ' s elaborate and costl y work on the subject , \ o consult the book before seeing tho picture . Their interest being thus stimulated , they may depend on finding abundant material for its gratification .
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HURFORD'S PANORAMA OF ( HI ANA DA . At the back of the Alhambra , and , by consequence , outside the walls of Granada , thoro in a high rock—considerably higher , indeed , than that on which ( be fortresH itself stands . An uncient summer palace of the Moorish novereigns occupies the summit . Jfc is ( jailed the " Gonoralile . " From thnt side which overlooks the towers of Granada you command a
view which , for extent and variety of beauty , has scarcely its like upon earth On the surface of the rich Vega—more fertile than the plains ot Samaria , more lovely in places than the valley of Feiran—are upwards of thirty villages , standing amid corn-fields , orange groves ^ and plantations of the olive , mulberry , almond , apricot , and fig . The waters ot the Xenil and the Darro , with many smaller streams , intersect the plain ; their courses being marked by the- lines of graceful trees that ad 0 ? 11 the banks . On one side , towards the north , the view is shut in by the mountains of Alcala . Opposite , on the side of the Mediterranean , and stretching westward , is the snowy range of the Alpuxarras ; more westward still , the distant Sierra Alhama ; with the mountains of Moclin and Illora , and the chains of Jaen , beyond . All these objects , excepting the extreme peaks right and left , the eye takes in at once as you look across Granada . Close down beneath lie the gardens of the Generalise ;
and some straggling lines of the old palace itself aTe visible . Ihen comes a thickly wooded ravine , intercepting the Generalife gardens and the Alhambra . The whole plan of the fortress lies open before you—a city within a city . Closing round the hill , right up to the Alhambra walls , come the houses of Granada , partly hidden by the fortress and its rocky seat . But the greater part of the city , stretching away to the right , is visible to us ; and we may discover , even from this distance , many of the old Moorish traces—the ' Zacatin , for example ; with here and there an ancient mosque , bath , or fountain . There are the remains , too , of the massive wall , which , with its thousand towers and twelve huge portals , flanked Granada in the time of the Moors . Over away to the left , across the r > lain and some three leagues distant from the city , you see a little
hill . From its summit , we are told , that Boabdil looked for the last time towards the spot where we are now standing , and wept as he took farewell of the beautiful land and the home he was leaving for ever . So the hill is called " Ultimo Suspiro del Moro "—the last sigh of the Moor . You have seen all from this side the Generalife ( the guide having pointed out to you Monte Frio , with Solo de Roma at its foot , the estate of the Duke of "Wellington , and more villas , convents , and remarkable towers than we have time to recollect ) ; and now we look m an opposite direction . The scene is picturesque , but of no great extent ; for we are on the very spurs of the Sierra JNevada , and a hill belonging foot muleteers
to the lower range rises directly before us . At its are enjoying a characteristic national dance , which is being performed , with proud abandon , by a comely couple , to the usual accompaniment of dark , long-lashed eyes , embroidered jackets , saucy fans , and castagnettes . In the foreground , all round us , are the trees belonging to the gardens beneath ; and their dark feathery tops , bending gracefully to the breeze , give admirable effect to the distance beyond . We say nothing of the skilful painting . It is enough to say ( and this is a literal fact ) that we have fallen quite naturally into describing the picture , as if it were the actual locality it represents . Q-
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THE ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA . Seventh Season—1853 . The programme of the SevenCli Season of the Eoyal Italian Opera is scarcely less ample in proportions , if in some respects less prolific in promise , than ita predecessors . Covent Garden , from being a revolutionary phenomenon , bids fair suddenly to become an established institution . Wo trust it will not therefore think it dignified to resist improvement . If the present programme seems deficient in novelty , it must be remembered that where so much has been done , comparatively little remains to be done . For example , tho standing repertoire of this house now comprises thirty-nine operas , completely mounted . All the great guns of last season are re-engaged , with the exception of Mdlle . Wagner , who wont off with so loud a report last year . The Contralto , Mademoiselle Nantier Didiec , is what sporting men call " dark . " Albom never has been , and probably never will be , replaced ; tho fact that nothing is known ot this now lady speaks provisionally in her favour ; when Alboni astounded ua in 1847 , sho was unknown to London . Wo do not , however , desire to excite any rash expectations . It will bo difficult not to surpass the contralto of tho last season . It is a satisfaction
lo find that the policy of engaging a host of used up or fictitious tenors is abandoned . Mario ami Tamberlik are equal to all demands ; and Lucheni is a name we have heard agreeably mentionod in the lighter Italian operas . Ilonconi , a tower ot strength , now that his difficulties are removed , is reinforced by that sound and eflicient singer , Bclletti , in the barytone department . Formes returns , as principal JJass , subdued , wo trust , in voice and style . Tho excellent Tugliafico , the serviceable lolornni , and tho useful and majestic Itommi , ure not wanting . Monsieur Zclger , who was hero in 1850 , returns ; and if ho lias not lost his voice , deserves more work than he got three years ago . « ri « i utill reigns supreme ; Castellan , with her harmless ( and rather insipid ) l < K ) ks ami delicious voice—Angelina 13 osio , who , after disappointing everybody m tho JClisir < VAmove , surprised the connoisseurs in Krnani ; Jullienne , who converted oven the omnibus box to Christianity by her high notes in the finale of the Martin . ; JVledori , who was announced , with fifty moro prirna donnas , last year , and ot whom Kussia reports wonders . Hero , indeed , is an array of singers to rnake the ears tingle with expectation . Hut where is M adame Yiardot ( Jarcia , who has been leading the Czar captiveand who returns to Parisladen with the spoils of euipires P ¦
, , Soldi , the strident and metallic , cornea back : Uregorio , Radio , and Luigi Mei remind us pleasantly of the three monks who head the ehoru . s of conspirators m tho JJuquenots . . „ " ' The orchestra and chorus will exhibit the name high stiito of efficiency . If , however , according to tho Times , Piatti and . Hottonini are not engaged , thin sweeping assurance must be interpreted with reservations . Wo would hope that such an omission was an oversight . Ah to the chorus , we sincerely trust that id may not " exhibit the same high state" * is it did last , year . It wanted considerable toning down on moro than one occasion , especially in the operas of the standing repertoire . The Mallet is to " be rendered more attractive . " Solar , so good : but the attractiveness in clearly not dependent on eelcltrity ; for the only dunseuttes named are new nonentities . We had Iieard confident rumours ' of Curlotta (< risi and Cor it o ; but neither of those celebrated artists would consent to figure in divertiHticmcntH only . The fact is , neither ballet , nor divertissement ever brought a penny lo the Royal Italian Opera , nor over will .
We may conclude with two or three very encouraging announcements in tho programme ) . Mr . William Hevorly—need we say a word more r —is engaged us " scenic artist . " Only think what tho creator of the last scene in The ( Hood Woman in the Wood will do on Huoha stage us Covent Crnrdeu ! and Mr . A . Harris , who deserves to be deified iih the god of aspiring " supers , " will once more contribute liis marvellous fueulty ol voidmir localo to the mine en srHnti . When we add , Mint Mr . Costa still presides in ( lie orchestra , we need only conclude by heartily trusting that tho Royal Italian Opera may enioy all the success it will deserve , and may deserve all itwill enjoy . Master luenday is tho opening night , with ( we believe ) tho ever fresh and fascinating Mamntello .
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Erratum . —In tho notice of 1 . 1 ur " Musical Season , " last week , for " Schuberta Quintette , " read " tfchvmanris < iiuritotl , e . "
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310 THE LEADER . [ Saturday ,
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Leader (1850-1860), March 26, 1853, page 310, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1979/page/22/
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