The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

Madame Sarah Bernhardt is again the leading attraction of the season in the French plays at Mr . Hollingshead ' s house in the Strand—the Gaiety . With the success of performances in a foreign tongue , hovvever much the same may have been familiarised by international association , a great deal is dependent upon a favourable start , ln none of the many countries through which Madame Bernhardt has travelled of late years has she

found warmer or more constant friendship than in England , and whether she had decided to make her rentre here in one of the classic roles connected with her former career with the members of the Comedy Francaise , or in an impersonation having a modern tone , it was certain that she would find a crowded and most fashionable audience assembled to greet her . It is no disrespect to the other artistes engaged by M . Mayer to assert that when French plays

are now spoken of in London , thoughts of Madame Bernhardt recur to playgoers , and that curiosity is excited to an unwonted degree whenever it is rumoured that she purposes enlarging her repertoireas far as she has made it known outside Paris . With this accomplished , and in at least one respect unequalled tragedienne , to begin the French season of 1 SS 2 , prestige is at once given to an enterprise which certainly promises to be highly interesting

throughout . Of the six weeks for which arrangements have been made , Madame Sarah Bernhardt will stay three ( half the period ) , during which she will sustain several of her most popular characters , including Dona So ! ( " Hernani" ) , Frou-Frou , and Blanche ( "Le Sphinxe ); then come for a fortnight ' s visit M . Coquelin and a company selected from the Comedie Francaise , with "L'Adventuriere" "Les Rantzau " ( one ' of the latest Parisian

, novelties ) , " Ruy Bias , " & c . ; and the final week will be marked by the appearance of Madame Chaumont and company in the comedy " Divorcons , " a piece that a great number of persons will be eager to see , notwithstanding the announcement that it has been " altered for England . " The season will be comparatively brief , but representations in which so many tastes have been consulted should prove attractive until the final night is reached . The great feature

of the opening night was undoubtedly the appearance of Madame Barnhardt ' s husband . When in the first act the entry of M . Armand Duval was announced , all eyes were turned to the doorway of the scene , for it was pretty well known throughout the house that the M . Jacques Darall mentioned on the bill was M . Damara . The husband of Madame Sarah Bernhardt is above the average height , well proportionedand betrays little of the novice in his

, acting . It is not often , indeed , that a star meets with such good support from the representative of Armand Dnval . M . Jacques Darall , however , seems to have quite caught the spirit of his bride . He is easy and gentlemanly when repose is required , but when moved by the passion of the scene he exhibits fervour and impulse unaccompanied by traces of crudeness or inexperience . He was frequently applauded , and particularly after his outburst of grief in

the third act , when he has read Marguerite ' s letter ; and altogether it appears to us , judging from his first performance in England , that Madame Sarah Bernhardt ' s assumption will gain rather than lose , in force , and vigour , by the influential addition made to her company . M . Talbot did well in the one scene of Duval pere , and Maddlle . Jeanne Bernhardt , with MM . Abel Pujol , Clerh , and Ch . Pascal ably executed the somewhat subordinate duties entrusted to them . The house was filled in every part .

Music

MUSIC

The re-appearance , on Saturday last , of Madame Pauline Lucca , after an absence from England for some ten years , caused Covent Garden to be filled to overflowing , the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh being among the audience , while the welcome accorded to this popular and talented artiste cannot have been otherwise than most gratifying . The character chosen by the lady for the occasion was that of

Carmen in Bizet ' s opera of that name ; and Madame Lucca ' s splendid dramatic powers gave a force and character to her rendering of the part which have rarely been witnessed before . Madame Valleria made a capital Micaela , her singing , which was most charming , being loudly applauded . M . Lestellier made a very effective Don Jose , while the other characters by M . Bouhy , & c , helped to make the performance one of general excellence .

The change on VVednesdf . y last from Wagner to Beethoven was most welcome , and the more so , that it is doubtful if , even in the palmy days of Titiens , the latter's great masterpiece of "Fidelio" was ever heard to greater advantage . Fraulein Theresa Malten , who is a splendid actress as well as a fine singer , achieved a grand success as Leonora . Herr Wolff was a fluent and expressive

interpreter of Florcstan , and Fraulein Wiedermann , as Marzelline , greatly strengthened the favourable impression she had created by her impersonation of Venus in " Tannhauser . " It is next to impossible to speak too highly of Herren Gura and Dr . Kraus as Fernando and Picarro respectively , while the Chorus of Prisoners was in perfect time . The opera was repeated en Wednesday , the 31 st ult .

The ether performances at the German Opera have been ¦ " Lohengrin , " which was repeated for the second and third times respectively on Thursday and Saturday of last week ; " Tannhauser , " which was set down for Thursday ; and " Die Meistersinger , " which was played for the first time on 'Tuesday , will be given again this ( Saturday ) evening . * ' 4 % " Die Meistersinger " was produced on Tuesday in the presence of a large audience , among whom were

Music

their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh . The cast included Herren Gura as Hans Sach , H . Winkelmann as Stolsing , P . Ehrke as Beckmesser , J . Kcegel as Pogner , Dr . Kraus as Kothncr , and L . Landau as David , Frau Sucher playing Eva , and Fraulein J . Schefsky , Magdalene . The performance was a brilliant success , the curtain being raised again and again at the close of each act .

The closing performances of the " Nibelung ' s Ring " took place at Her Majesty ' s on Monday , 'Tuesday , and Wednesday , those of the last two evenings being at popular prices . A most enthusiastic reception was accorded to the performance for the first time in London , on Thursday lastof Mr . F . H . Cowen ' s sacred cantata , " St . Ursula , "

, and his " Scandinavian Symphony . " The former was produced last year at the Norwich festival , and the very favourable opinion then formed of it has been in all respects confirmed . The solo vocalists , Madame Valleria , Miss Orridge , Mr . E . Lloyd , and Mr . King , who had had the same task assigned to them at Norwich , acquitted themselves on this occasiou at St . James ' s Hall equally both

well ; while the band ^ and chorus were effective , the more so , no doubt , that they were under the personal direction of Mr . Cowen himself . The same amount of enthusiasm was evoked by the Symphony , which secured an eminently favourable verdict when it was produced-some time since at Vienna . This also had the advantage of being conducted by the composer .

tf w w Last Saturday ' s Classical Concert at the Crystal Palace comprised an excellent programme , which gave the utmost satisfaction to the numerous audience assembled to hear it . ¦ Among the principal items were Beethoven's " Eroica Symphony , " Henselt ' s pianoforte concerto , Rubinstein ' s " Valse Caprice in E Flat , " arranged for orchestra by Herr Muller-Berghaus , & c . Henselt's

concerto , which is said to be the most difficult composition of its kind ever written , was played with great brilliancy by Mr . Franz Rummel , whose efforts were rewarded by a recall to the platform when the performance was ended . Herr Betz , as the vocalist , was greatly appreciated . The concert of to-day ( Saturday ) will include , for the first time in England , Berlioz ' s grand symphony , " Funebre et Triomphale . "

*? w w Madame Alp honsine Weisz , who p lays the pianoforte with the right hand only , but with almost as complete an effect as those who use both , gave a " matinee musicale" at the Marlborough Rooms , on Wednesday last , the audience being numerous and fashionable . The pieces she played , which were specially arranged for the one hand , included selections from Beethoven , Chopin , Liszt , & c , and each and allot them were received with the heartiest

approval . A requisition has recently been submitted to the Dean of Westminster by the professors of music in our Universities , eminent conductors , and ethers , with a view to obtaining his sanction to the placing in the venerable Abbey a memorial tablet in honour of the late Michael VVilliam Balfe , for his services in raising the English lyrical

drama to a hi g h position , the tablet to bear the following inscription : " To the memory of a musician , whose genius and achievements won for him during his lifetime a high reputation , not only among his countrymen , but also upon the Continent of Europe . " The prayer of the petitioners has been complied with , and no doubt the tablet will soon be in its place among other and similar memorials of Englishmen of worth .

w * w On Saturday next , the ioth inst ., a grand Operatic Concert will take place at the Royal Albert Hall , South Kensington , under the patronage of the Queen and Royal Family . Mesdames Patti , Alboni , Sembrich , & c , are engaged for the occasion .

At the concert given by the Musical Artists ' Society , on Saturday last , in the concert room of the Royal Academy of Music , several interesting works were given , among the more important being a pianoforte trio in B flat , by Mr . Alfred Gilbert ; the quartet , by Mr . C . E . Stephens , which secured Ithe first prize in the competition arranged by the Academical Board of Trinity College ,

London ; and a pianoforte quintet in C , by Mr . Algernon Ashton . * * * Miss Maggie Okey gave a very interesting concert on Wednesday afternoon at St . James ' s Hall , when she more than justified the high opinions formed of her abilities as a pianiste by her brilliant performance last season at the Covent Garden Promenade Concerts . Judging by the fact

that such an admirable pianiste as Miss Okey can only obtain these opportunities by giving concerts on her own account , her very excellent entertainment of Wednesday afternoon was both well timed , highl y appreciated , and a fair sample of what an English musician can do , even when wholly trained in an English school of music . The works rendered by this very young but highly-accomplished

performer included Kubenstein s Sonata in A minor , for violin and p iano ; the famous Keutzea Sonata of Beethoven ' s , also for violin and piano ; Beethoven ' s Pianoforte Variations in E flat ; two charming " morceaux" by Chopin ; Shumann ' s " Traumeswieren ; " brilliant solos by Liszt and Uaffe , concluding with her inimitable performance of the famous " Rhapsodie Hongroise , " No . 2 , by

Liszt . Throughout the entire length of this varied and most trying programme , Miss Okey played with that brilliancy , fire , skill , and delicacy which distinguish tlie talented and highly-cultured musician ; in fact , the young pianist displayed a mastery of her instrument second to none of the renowed artistes who have figured in our concert-rooms during the past season . Herr Adolph Brodthev contributed some excellent violin music , playing in the

duetts of Rubinstein and Beethoven with Miss Okey in masterly style , and delighting his audience with the solos by Spohr and Sarasate , Miss De Fonblanque , in Gounod ' s " Ave Marie , " and in the songs of II . F . Cowen , sang with that exquisite taste and style which makes her everywhere so popular ; and Mr . Abercrombie was heard to advantage in his selection of pieces . The accompaniments were admirably played by the well-known maestro , Signor Romili .

Science And Art.

SCIENCE AND ART .

The Ri ght Hon ., Sir Henry Brand , G . C . B ., M . P ., Speaker of _ the House of Commons , together with a large number of its members paid a visit on Saturday last to the Electric Light Exhibition at the Crystal Palace . They were received on their arrival by Mr . M'George , the chairman , and other members of the directorate , by whom

they were conducted to the dining-rooms in the south corridor , where covers were laid for about 150 guests . Mr . M'George presided , and in the course of the evening proposed "The Health of the Speaker , " to whom they were greatly indebted forthe honour he had done them thatday . The Right Honourable gentleman in returning thanks expressed the pleasure he had derived from his visit , and in referring to

the labours and disposition of the present Parliament expressed a hope that it mi ght soon be able to restore Ireland to a condition of prosperity . Dr . Siemens replied to the toast of " The Exhibitors of the Crystal Palace Electric Light Exhibition , " and , in doing so , congratulated the Palace executive on the success which had " attended their efforts in demonstrating what the electric light was capable

of doing . Sir VVilliam Thompson replied for "Electric Science , " and when the Lord Mayor's health had been drunk and acknowledged , the Speaker gave " The Chairman ' s Health . " During dinner the Hungarian String Band , under Josef Baroza , played an admirable selection

of music Among those present were : Sir C Forster , M . P ., Colonel Forster , M . P ., Sir A . Otway , M . P ., Bro Boord , M . P ., Sir H . Tyler , M . P ., Mr . S . Morley , M . P ., Bro . the Lord Mayor , G . J . W ., Sir J . Bazalgette , Dr . Siemens , Mr . Silvanus 'Thompson , Mr . Preece , and others . The exhibition will close this day ( Saturday ) .

* . ' w * There is now on view in the Lord President ' s Court of the South Kensington Museum an unusually attractive exhibition , consisting , in a small degree , of early relics from Sweden , Norway , Denmark , Iceland , but principally of articles of textile fabrics , pottery , jewellery , saddlery , carving , & c , of the eighteeenth and nineteenth

centuries . Ihe Museum of Copenhagen contributes a fine series of Danish drinking horns , and also two line examples of tapestry , made partly at Elsinore and partly in Iceland , between 15 S 1 and 1596 . From Rosenberg Castle is a dinner service of Copenhagen porcelain , and from the Nordiska collection numerous carved and painted ale bowls , ln addition are jewellery , belts , necklets , and breast ornanents of Norwegian , Swedish , Icelandic , and Laplandic

manufacture , partly contributed by the old Nordiska Museum of Copenhagen , and partly by the National Museum of Swedish Antiquities at Stockholm . Among other objects of especial interest are the sledges of carved and painted wood , battle axes , pewter dishes , a very ancient cart with brass bosses for its wheels , dug out of a peat bog , and bronze brooches , & c , and other relics from graves in Sweden .

By permission of the Committee of Council on Education , the President of the Institute of Civil Engineers held a conversazione on Thursday evening in the South Kensington Museum . The guests , who numbered some 2000 , were received by Sir William and Lady Armstrong in the second division of the Architectural Court . In

the Lord President's Court , which was illuminated by the electric light , was stationed the Hungarian Band , and in the Italian Court was the string band of the Corps of Royal Engineers , while in the galleries devoted to the Sheepshanks' collection the playing of the Russian pianist , Vladimir de Pachmann proved a very great attraction .

w & s = The " Comet Wells , " which was discovered on the iSth March , will shortly become visible , and for the next fortnight will be in its best position for observation , after which it will have passed the sun , and be travelling into infinite space .

-it * . - The Medals of Honour for the French Salon have been awarded in painting to M . Pun ' s de Chavannes , for his picture " Ludus pro PatriA ; " and in engraving and lithography to M . VVattner . That for sculpture was not awarded , the requisite number of votes not having been obtained by any candidate .

It seems that in consequence of certain experiments that have recently been made in Paris , it has been ascertained that by passing a current of electricity through a cask of sour wine , the quality has been , in a few days , very appreciably improved , and it is said to have acquired the flavour which is usually supposed to be the result of age .

I'urther experiments liave been recently made off Dungeness Point , by Captain the Hon . H . VV . Chetwynd , R . N ., District Inspector of Lifeboats , with a view of ascertaining the effect of oil in calming a rough sea . The Dungeness Lifeboat , the David Halett , was launched and

anchored in live fathoms of water , a small canvas bag , containing about half-a-gallon of oil , and pierced in several p laces by a needle , being attached to the anchor as a buoy . This had the effect of producing a space of still water about twenty yards wide , and of considerable length . Further experiments will be made .

¦ / .- ¦/ . ' On Saturday afternoon Bro . Lord Carrington , G . S . Warden , opened a loan picture exhibition , promoted by the Literary and Scientific Institute of High Wycombe . The collection , which comprises not far short of 700 oil paintings , water-colour drawings , and minatures , and was arranged in the Central Board Schoul , was lent by noblemen and gentlemen living in the neighbourhood , and will

remain on view till to-day . Among old masters represented must be mentioned Salvator Rosa , Vandyck , Holbein , Reubens , Correggio , Paul Potter , Ostade , & c . ; and among modern artists , Gainsborough , Landseer , VV . Hunt , Birket Foster , Cruikshank , and Alma Tadema . A soiree , given by the members of the institute , and a concert followed .