The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

" Far from the Madding Crowd " has , contrary to the expectations of some , drawn crowded audiences at the Globe , where it was brought out on Saturday week-, after being played with similar success in Liverpool . The management of the Court for once have made a mistake ; for this theatre , after "The Squire " was brought out at St . James ' s , declined to have it on their stage , as being so much alike that the two could not run . VVe believe , on the

contrary , that they will help each other , for , remembering the keen , even bitter controversy carried on in the Times and other papers last January , every one who has seen "The Squire " will flock to the Globe to judge for themselves as to the likeness and merits of the two pieces . VVe have seen both , and it cannot be denied that there is much in common in the plays . There is , however , much that is entirely diverse . Mr . Pinero ' s " Squire " is not so dramatic ,

but more refined than Mr . Comyn Carr s adaptation of Mr . Hardy ' s novel . In both plays the heroine is an owner of a farm , and in both she is beloved by a farm servant , and in both this love is rejected ; in each the heroine has given her heart to a soldier—in " The Squire" to an officer who is married , and in the other to a sergeant who should be . But the conclusions are wide apart . In the former the death of the woman who trapped him

into marriage releases him , and he is forgiven by the squire and marries her . In '"' Far from the Madding Crowd" he is unforgiven , but is killed by the brother of the girl he has wronged , enabling the lady farmer to marry her bailiff , her first sweetheart . In the first act at the Globe we have some quaint country dialogue well spoken by some . Mrs . Bernard Beere , who is Bathsheba , plays with much emotion , and shows consummate skill , more especially in

certain parts . VVe think in this play Mrs , Bernard Beere has almost outdone herself . Bathsheba has been left by her father with a farm on her hands , and a hope that she would marry Gabriel Oak , who has worked on the farm all his life . But Sergeant Troy makes his appearance and loafs about the farm and wins ' her love by his double face . He has already been the lover of a girl on the farm , but has thrown her over for her mistress . The girl's brother ,

Will Robin , vows vengeance , and , as a gipsy , dogs Sergeant Troy everywhere . Troy ' s ^ victim , Fanny Robin , comes upon the scene just as he is expecting a visit from Bathsheba , and he bids her begone from the village , but Oak overhears all , and gives her money to procure the necessaries of life . A fire occurs on the farm , and Oak is the means ) of putting it out . Bathsheba is toid a stranger has done i " , and is sure it is Trov . But on learning it is

Gabriel flak's handiwork , engages him as bailiff on the understanding he is never to speak to her of love . He consents , not so much for his own sake as to save his mistress from the ruin he sees the Sergeant will bring to her . Bathsheba is quietly married on the day of a village beanfeast . Troy is about for a . short while , and Oak not knowing of the marriage , takes the quiet opportunity to warn Bathsheba of

this man Troy . As he finishes the door opens , and he confronts Troy , and then denounces him to his face . Bathsheba pleads him to spare Troy , for "he is my husband . " In the middle of the festivities , before the assembled villagers who are at the farm dancing " Roger de Coverley , " Will Robin breaks in , and hands Bathsheba a letter written by his sister before drowning herself , warning her of Troy against her betrayer . Overcome with shame ,

for he cannot deny it , Troy quits the house , and nothing is heard of him for two years . It is rumoured he was drowned at sea , a report which he himself spread about to trap his wife . She believing him to be dead , and his having proved a villian , her old love for Oak returns . On a day that he informs her he must emigrate , because the villagers are connecting his and her names together , she begs him to remain , and to remain as master . Another festivity occurs ,

and she proclaims there her intention to wed their friend Gabriel . Now is Troy's turn for revenge ; he is in the village , and enters the house , and claims his wife . She scornfully tells him she will follow him , as he orders , as his lawful wife , but he shall not pollute her by touching or speaking to her ; but just as he crosses the threshold he is shot dead by Will Robin . It is in the third act and the conclusion that Mr . Comyns Carr ' s play is

better than Mr . Pinero ' s , and the interest is better maintained . VVe could not help thinking that Miss Alexes Leighton who plays Lydia Smallbury , Bathsheba ' s maid , has studied her character in a farm house , so ¦ fee is it from everything stagey . Mr . Charles Kelly , as Gabriel Oak , acts with great style and shows an intensity of feeling underneath his composure . Mr . IT . J . Barnes , as Sergeant Troy , has a difficult part , but proves by the hisses that he has won his audience from his excelent

representation of the vilhan . Of Mr . Wood , Mr . Russell and Mr . Medwin , all country yokels , we have only space to say that they add greatly to the interest of the piece . In many points they show their talents . The calling of ,, author and actors before the curtain is proof that Far From the Madding Crowd " is a popular play . VVe "Just just allude to the beautiful singing of the Christmas

^ arol , Good King Wenceslas looked out on the feast of j rtephen , " and the dancing of " Roger de Coverley . " Mr . Perkins' scenery is also very good . We feel sure , however much Messrs . Hardy and Carr may feel aggrieved at anather theatre playing a piece similar to theirs , they need not fear any injury . VVe believe , as we said before , 'he plays will help each other .

* # Miss Clara Merrivale has taken the place of Miss Rosa Leo at theStrand as Manola , but we can hardly ll i- 1 ' the chan S ? e is for the better . On the first night sne did not seem to be at home in her part , which one can well understand , thus offering a contrast to the rest of the Pe « ormers , who have now settled down to their respective

parts . But by this time , doubtless , Miss Merrivale sings ' greater ease . Miss Irene Verona ( Beatrix ) was WM J Wlth gTeat applause on her appearance , which is wen deserved . The trio of the Cupids was encored , as was a new song of Bro . Ashley ' s . Bro . Hill affords as nuch mirth as ever by his drollery and figure . VVe learn life f contemporary that Miss Verona began her stage « at the early age of thirteen , and it is not unlikely .

The Theatres.

Considering the strides she has recently made , she will be known ere long as a leading operetta singer . VVe notice that Bro Hitchins is now acting as a manager here .

Music

Music

Unquestionably the most important musical event we have to record this week is the production at Her Majesty ' s Theatre , of Wagner ' s tetralogy , or trilogy with a prologue , as we have also seen it entitled , the " Nibelung's Ring . " This was first produced at Bayreuth in 1 S 76 in a theatre expressly built for the purpose by the King of Bavaria , and everything was done in order to make its success a certainty . A company of specially-selected

artistes was brought together ; nothing was spared in the way of ingenious and novel contrivances in arranging the scenery and appointments . To crown all , a large audience , including some of the best musical folk , were present , so that there can be no two opinions as to the great success it achieved being thoroughly genuine . From

Bayreuth the work made its way into other parts of Germany , and success attended its performance everywhere . Under these circumstances nothing was more natural than that it should be produced sooner or later in England , and where , we ask , could a fitter stage for its performance be found than that of which Bro . Mapleson is the presiding genius ?

ss * * Accordingly , care having been taken to secure all the most capable artistes , the most efficient orchestra , and the original properties , the " Rhinegold , " the first part or prologue , was produced in a house that was crowded in every part on Friday last , the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Edinburgh , who were present at the very beginning , remaining till tne end . The scene on which the

curtain rose , and which represented the Nixies or Rhine maidens floating near the bottom of the river , gave the house a foretaste of the scenic beauties that awaited them , and was received with approval , but the house was so intense in watching the progress of the story that very wisely they reserved all evidences of their appreciation till the conclusion of the performance , when the applause was loud and prolonged , and all who had had a share in the work of the

evening received their just reward . As this and the successive sections of the "Nibelung's Ring" have already been described ' . at length in the columns of our daily contemporaries , let it suffice if we state that the Rhine maidens above mentioned are the guardians of the Rhinegold , which he only who forswears love can remove . Alberirh , the Nibelung , does this , and becomes possessed of the treasure . From this he manufactures a ring , of which he is

subsequently dispossessed , but not until he has laid upon it the curse of death to whomsoever becomes its possessor . How this was fulfilled appears later on . The performance was throughout a success , and , as we have said already , was enthusiastically applauded . The following was the cast Herr H . Vogl resumed his original characterof Loge ; Herr

Emit Scarm was Wotan ; Herr Wiegand , Donner ; Herr F . Burger , Froh ; Herr Schelpe , Alberich ; Herr Filers , Fasolf ; Herr Biberti , Fafner ,- Frau Reicher-Kindermann , Fricka ; Friiulein Schreibe , Frcia ; Frau Riegler , Erda ; and Friiulein Kraus , Klafsky , and Schulze , the Rhine maidens .

# # # The " Valkyrie , " which forms the second of the four parts which make up the cycle , was performed on Saturday , the Prince of Wales , as on the previous evening , remaining throughout the whole of the performance . In this the further history of the ring and the Nibelung ' s curse is developed , the "Valkyrie" being the warlike daughters of Wotan , the father of the gods by Erda

, the Goddess of Earth , and it is their mission to convey the bodies of slain heroes to the Walhalla , to recruit the army of defence and protection for the gods . There is rather more concerted music in this section of the work , and the performance , though tedious and trying in die latter part , went well . The artistes already named , together with Frau Sachse-Hofmeister , Frau Vogl , Herr Niemann , & c , played admirably . #

* * " Siegfried , " the third part of the " Nibelung ' s Ring , " and "Gotterdiimerung , " or the twilight of the gods , which is the concluding part , were given on Monday and Tuesday respectively . The hero of the former , who gives to it the name , isthe son of Siegliiule of the second part , and she dies in giving him birth . 'This Siegfriedis brought up by Mime , a smith , who is well acquainted with all

Wotan's plans , and trusts by his means to gain possession of the ring , the tarn , or wishing cap , and the treasure . Whether in these plans Mime is successful is shown in due course . After this Siegfried becomes possessed of Briinnhilde , one of the "Valkyrie , " who has fled from the wrath of Wotan , but had been deprived of her immortality ,

and condemned to he in a charmed circle of flame till some one who knows no fear passes the said circle , and wakes her with a kiss . The remainder of the story , and what is the ultimate fate of the ring , is brought to a close in the fourth part . # * *

Thursday last witnessed the production for the first time this season of Verdi ' s , " Ai'da . " M . Vergnet , however , who was to have made his debut on the occasion was prevented from doing so , and his place was taken b y the ever-read y Signor Frapolli , who , though his voice is not exactly suited for the part , played Radames with considerable care and intelligence . ^ liV /<[ herself was finely

and energetically rendered by Madame Fursch-Madi , and a debutante , in the person of Madlle Stahl , made a favourable impression as Amneris . Signor Pandolfini was a good Amonasso , and SignoriScolara andSilvestri were the Kins and Ramfis . Much of the merit of the performance must be set down to the skill and care of Signor Bevignani , who conducted .

# * * Madame Albani experienced almost as hearty a reception at her second appearance last Saturday as she had done at her first the Saturday previous . In the present instance she sustained the part of Margherita in " Faust e Margherita , " and that , too , in a manner which could only have been exhibited by one who was possessed

Music

of the highest form of vocal and dramatic talent . Signor Cotogni , as Valentine , very ably supported her , while M . Bouhy was a refined and humorous Mcfistofele . Signor Frapolli , as Faust , and Mdlle Guercia , as Siebcl , completed the cast .

* * As we anticipated last week , the ballad concert of Saturday at the Alexandra Palace proved a great success , thanks to the high-class character of the principal vocalists , the excellence of the choir , and the able leadership of Mr . David Beardwell . Mr . Edward Lloyd was enthusiastically applauded for his rendering of Sullivan ' s

" The Distant Shore , " and the audience insisted on its repetition , a compliment which was in part alsc r . ccorded to Miss Jeanie Rosse , for the powerful manner : n which she gave Sullivan's " St . Agnes Eve , " the last three verses of which she was compelled to repeat . Miss Julia Albu was successful in "Sing , Sweet Bird , " by Bro . ' VV . Ganz , and so , too , were the choir in Pinsuti ' s " A Sprirg Song . " There was a very full attendance .

The concert given b y Bro . W . Gar . r , at St . James ' s Hall , on Saturday last , was marked by the very successful first appearance of a new singer , Miss Agnes B . Huntington , who is American by birth , but has studied both in Italy and Germany , and who turns to good account a voice that is excellent in character and of unusual range as mezzo-sopiano . 'This was evidenced bv the songs she

sang , which were one and all appreciated by the audience . The orchestral part of the concert included Schubert ' s splendid symphony No . y , the overtures to Mendelssohn ' s " Ruy Bias , " Weber's " Euryanthe , " and Aubert ' s " Domino Noir , " and Beethoven ' s Concerto in C minor , the solo part of which was admirably played by Herr Ernest Loewenberg . In all the foregoing the orchestra , under the skilful conductorship of Bro . Ganz , acquitted itsrlf well .

* .= V ? *? This ( Saturday ) afternoon the great concert takes place at the Floral Hall , Covent Garden . It will be given under the patronage of the Queen , the Prince and Princess of Wales , and the other members of the Royal Family . The proceeds will be handed over to the Royal College of Music , for whose special behalf it has been organised . ' * * *

Herr Richter , on his appearance in St . James ' s Hall , on Wednesday last , at the first of the "Richter " concerts , was greeted with round after round of applause , and this was repeated as each succeeding number was brought to a successful close . The " Eroi ' ca Symphony" was interpreted in a mannerthat was certainly masterly , and may almost be set down as perfect , all the various graduations of light and shade being most distinctly and artistically

marked . So was it with the overtures to " Der Freischiitz , " "Tannhaiiser" and Wagner ' s " Kaiser-March , " all which were given by the orchestra without book ; while another remarkable feature was the performance from memory of Rubinstein ' s Concerto in D . minor , by M . Tiugene D'Albert . This was his first appearance here since his return to England , and his style and execution showed both excellence and intelligence .

* * * The German Opera Season opens at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane , on Thursday next , the iSth inst ., Wagner ' s " Lohengrin " being chosen for the occasion . # & * A new Cantata entitled "Alfred , " by Mr . Ebenezer Prout , met with a very cordial reception last week . It was given at the Town Hall , Shoreditch , and a crowded

audience were present . The libretto , which deals with the principal events connected with the great Saxon King's vistit to the Danish Camp , is by Mr . VV . Grist . Mr . Prout's music is effective and melodious , and is scored throughout in a manner which proves him to be a good musician . The solo vocalists , Miss Marriott , Mr . Shakespeare , and Mr . King sang well , the orchestra played well , and Mr . Prout himself conducted well .

# * * Kalozdy ' s original Hungarian band will arrive in London on Monday , the 22 nd inst . * * *

Science And Art.

SCIENCE AND ART .

The Shipwrights' Exhibition at Fishmongers Hall , which , of necessity , closes this day ( Saturday ) , as the hall is required for other purposes , has been numerously visited during the week . Among those who inspected the display on FYiday last were Lord Henry Lennox , an ex-Secretary of the Admiralty ; the Earl of Ravensworth , President of the Institution of Naval Architects ; Admiral Hoskins , one of the Lords of the Admiralty ; Sir E . J .

Reed , K . C . B ., M . P ., formerly Chief Naval Constructor ; Admiral Sir G . P . Hornby , G . C . B . ; Mr . Samuda , M . P ., & c . On Tuesday a large number of Members of Parliament , under the guidance of Sir E . J . Reed , inspected the models . Those of our friends who wish to see it must therefore lose no time in doing so . VVe can assure them they will be greatly interested and impressed by what they wilf see .

* * Mr . William Spottiswoode , President of the Royal Institution of Great Britain , took the chair at its general monthly meeting on Monday last . Several gentlemen were elected Fellows , among them being Mr . Alfred Meadows , M . D ., Mr . Carl Haag , Colonel Sibthorpe , Mr . Alexander Siemens , M . I . C . E ., and Mrs . A . Siemens . Mr . John Tyndall , D . C . L ., LL . D ., F . R . S ., was re-elected Professor of Natural History . #

* * The Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty ' s Treasury have given their approval to the appointment of Mr . P . Edward Dove , of I . incoln ' s-inn , to be Secretary to the Transit of Venus Commission .

* H . R . H . the Prince of Wales was amongst those present at the meeting , on Wednesday last , of the Royal Agricultural Society , when the chair was taken by Mr . J . Dent Dent , the President . A good deal of business was transacted , and fifty-seven new members were elected .