The Theatres.

THE THEATRES .

At the Vaudeville , Mr . Thorne lias given a performance of " London Assurance , " and it met with great favour at a morning performance , lt would seem probable that when " School for Scandal " is withdrawn this comedy of the Victorian age may take its place . The

company at this-performance consisted of Mr . William barren , Miss Ada Cavendish , Miss Alma Murray , Mr . Henry Neville , Mr . Thorne , Mr . Edward Righton , Miss Kate Phillips and Mr . Lestocq . - * - ¦ -

" Far from the Madding * Crowd is to be produced at the Globe to-night " ( Saturday ) . The London public will now have an opportunity of judging this piece and comparing it with "The Squire , " at St . James's Theatre , and passing an opinion on its . merits . It is sure to draw well , at least , for some time , on account of the sensation raised a few months ago , when Mr . Pinero ' s piece was brought out by Bro . Kendal . VVe will give a rechauffe later on . ft

» * " Moths , " founded on Ouida ' s novel , is announced to be played at the Olympic in place of the "Shadow of the Sword . " Miss Litton and Mr . Kyrle Bellew will be the principal characters . # « # Bro . Holland has received a vote of thanks , passed unanimously by the directors of the Alhambra , for the energy displayed by him in bringing out " Babil and Bijou . " #

* * Mr . Edmund Burke , the lessee of the Avenue Theatre , was entertained at dinner on Monday by the principals of the staff . M . Marius presided , and proposed Sir . Burke ' s health , and the toast was received b y the guests with great enthusiasm . A new comic opera will be produced shortly at this theatre . # #

* The Comedy Theatre has only been open six months , and in that time , until Saturday , only one opera has been required to keep the house full . " Boccaccio , " which was brought outon Saturday last , is , we hardly think , equal to " The Mascotte , " whose place it has taken , at least in its plot , for this is very difficult to distinguish . But for all

this it may have as long a run , for it is full of bright , lively music . Many of the melodies are already known in England , and as it is said an opera to be properly appreciated requires lo be heard more than once , may account for the great applause it received from a large audience , who probably were , ere that evening , well acquainted with the airs . For richness of scenery and tasteful dresses it may well vie

with its predecessor , but both of the operas represented at this house have been most handsomely mounted . " Boccaccio " has made a sensation in Paris and several other Continental cities . It is by Herr Von Suppii , a name not unknown in England . Perhaps chiefly is Herr Von Suppe remembered by his charming * overture to " Dichter and Bauer . " The version put before the Londoners is by

Messrs . Reece and Farnie , who have often worked together in anglicising French and German operas to fit them for the purer tastes of the English . The company engaged for the piece is exceptionally strong , if we may say it , too strong , since some of the players have not scope enough to exhibit their talents . The whole arrangements for making " Boccaccio " agreeable to eye as well as ear are perfect . The scene of the

opera is supposed to take place in Florence . Lotlieringhi , a bibulous cooper , with a red nose and an idiotic laugh , which we well remember hearing at the Alhambra , and gained as much applause here , has the fortune to possess a neat but saucy wife , Isabclla , \\ e \\ played with much humour by Miss Kate Munroe , whose re-appearance is a cause for congratulation . Her keen appreciation of fun , delicately

and well expressed , gives character to all that she undertakes . By her clever representation of it , she raises her part to prominence . Lambertuccio ( Bro . Lionel Brough ) , is an olive-grower , and has a wife something of a masculine appearance . Pcroiella , and her husband Lambertaccio , have adopted as a daughter Fiammetta , an unacknowledged niece of the Grand Duke , who is affianced

to Pietro , Prince of Palermo ( Bro . J . G . Taylor ) , but with whom Boccaccio , a student ( Miss Violet Cameron ) is in love . Of course , Boccaccio is the hero of the story . This young fellow has made Florentine father's and husband ' s hair stand on end with his passion for love-making . Against this student and his comrade , Lcinctto ( Mr . Rising ) , a band of the citizens is formed , headed by

Lambertuccio and others , who fancy themselves aggrieved . They march the streets in a sort of frightened heroic style , singing " Citizens up in just fury arise . " Bro . Brough , in these street perambulations , is able to show much of his comic character . They make a capture , but not the right man ; for instead of taking Boccaccio they have laid held of the Prince of Palermo , who , though

betrothed to Fiammetta , is masquerading and following in the footsteps of the student . Being somewhat foolish , Boccaccio makes use of him to forward his own love affair , for he also loves Fiammetta , and gets the Prince trapped in a flirtation with the pretty Isabella , the cooper ' s wife . It is in this act the piece is the most interesting . The cooper ' s song and chorus met with a treble encore , and

well it was deserved . VVe arc glad to see Mr . Kelleher again on the London stage ; as we have said , he was a favourite at the Alhambra . In this pretty song he shows how to drown his wife ' s voice with his mallet . " O , ' tis charming , "a trio , follows this song , by Pcronella , Isabella , and Fiammetta . Boccaccio , now to get near his love , gains employment with the olive-grower , but to do so passes as a country yokel . In her song , " Oh , sir , I am but country

bred , " Miss Violet Cameron makes her best hit of the cvenmg . She puts on country dialect . No doubt , Bro . Brough , to whom she sings the song , helped on the loud calls for an encore by his assistance . The second act , which is altogether the best , concludes by the declaration of the noble birth of Fiammetta , and her being led by the Major Domo of the Grand Duke to the Court of the Prince of Palermo . But when arrived there , the third act shows how the Prince

The Theatres.

has compromised himself by his flirtation with Isabella , that Boccaccio is preferred to him for the hand of the Grand Duke ' s niece ; and so ends the play . VVe believe this is the first time Miss Violet Cameron has discarded petticoats for doublet and hose , and we do not think the change one for the belter , though rendered necessary in playing a man's part . Her voice continues to improve ; her acting is

marked alike by humour and vivacity , and her singing is of a highly-finished style . In this new opera she displays a talent for comedy . Bros . Lionel Brough and J . G . Taylor divide the comic between themselves . Miss Alice Burville , as Fiammetta , also displays valuable qualifications both as an actress and singer . Miss Carlingford's ( Peronella ) contralto voice is most useful wherever she has to sing . But we don ' t know why Mr . Rising , who is a

pleasant tenor , affects a French accent , as it does not add to his popularity . Wc hope he will drop it . One of the prettiest parts of the opera is a septett and chorus towards the close of the first act . It was so admirably sang that it deserved hearing again . A trio serenade , by Lotlieringhi ( the cooper ) , Lambertuccio , and Scalsa ( a barber ) alsodeserved the applause it got from the audience . VVe feel sure those who go once will go twice to see " Boccaccio ; " and though

it is tolerably lengthy , we feel a regret that we do not hear more ofthe best known players . Bro . Brough , for instance , has not the power of bringing down the gods that he had in " The Mascotte . " Of Bro . Taylor ' s drollery there is not enough , and Miss Munroe , Miss Burville , and Miss Nellie Maxwell one would like to hear and see more . . The

dresses , designed by Messrs . Wilhelm and Faustin , and the scenery hy Mr . Ryan , all have claim to eulogy . "The comforts of the audience are well looked after—and could not be better—by Bro . D'Albertson , whilst the music , under the direction of M . van Biene , and performed by a competent orchestra , never flags .

Music.

MUSIC .

In our issue of the 22 nd inst ., we gave the cast of the performance on Thursday last of " Lucia di Lammermoor . " Be it added now that Madame Sembrich , who made her first appearance this season in the character of Lucia , experienced a very hearty reception . In both her singing and acting she showed a great advance since last year , and as the opera progressed she evoked the repeated

applause of a crowded audience . Signor Mierzwinski was prevented by indisposition from fulfilling the part of Edgardo , but his place was supplied at short notice by Signor Frapolli , who acquitted himself extremely well . Signor Pandolfini made an exceptionally good Enrico , and the other characters were well sustained . 1 heir Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh were present .

* * *• The "Faust c Margherita" of Gounod was produced on Saturday , when the Prince and Princess of Wales occupied the Royal box , but the performance was shorn of part of its attraction by the absence of Madlle . Olga Berghi , who was to have made her dibitt on the occasion as Marir / ierita . Madame Valleria , however , filled

the void , and singing and acting with her accustomed ability , achieved a marked success . M . Bouhy , the new Mefistofele , created a decidedly favourable impression by his line rendering , both vocally and dramatically , of the part . The performance throughout was well sustained , thanks to the able conduclorship of M . Dupont . The opera was played a second time on Tuesday .

« * * The concert given on Saturday last , at St . James ' s Hall , by Bro . VV . Ganz , P . G . O ., was both interesting and successful , its chief feature being Liszt ' s symphony to Dante's " Divina Commedia , " a work of great power and originality , arranged in three parts , entitled "Inferno , " " Purgatorio , " and "Paradise " respectively . Of these three the first and last deserve

almost unqualified praise , and considering the difficulties of their task , Bro . Ganz and his orchestra are to be congratulated on the excellence of their performance . The chorus of Priestesses from Gluck ' s "Iphigenie in Tauris" was admirably sung by the female choir , while the playing of Herr Ondrieck , a new violinist from Bohemia , in Mendelssohn's concerto , created a most favourable impression by the refinement of its tone as well as hy the finished style and facility of its execution .

* * * " A Grand Opening Musical Festival " is announced to take place at the Alexandra Palace this day ( Saturday ) , under the patronage of H . R . H . the Princess Mary of Cambridge , Duchess of Teck . Madame Christine Nilsson and other artistes will appear , and Mr . William Carter will conduct . at lit z .

Instead of the six pianoforte recitals announced to be given at the Marlborough Rooms by Herr Alfred Griinfeld , and postponed in consequence of a severe domestic affliction sustained by that gentleman , Herr Franke will give a series of six chamber-concerts , commencing on 'Tuesday next , the 2 nd May . # * «

The summer tour of the Mohawk Minstrels commences this ( Saturday ) evening , when the dusky troupe will make their appearance at St . James's Hall , Plymouth . & * * The Merchant Taylors' Company have contributed a sum of one thousand guineas towards the establishment of the Royal College of Music , to be paid in five consecutive annual instalments of 200 guineas each .

# * * At the first Richte Concert , on VVednesday next , Mr . Eugene D'Albert will play Rubenstien's concerto in D minor , in place of Brahms ' s new pianoforte concerto , the orchestral parts of which cannot arrive in time . * * *

The closing concert of the Sacred Harmonic Society was arranged to come off yesterday ( Friday ) at St . James's Hall , Handel ' s oratorio of " Solomon , " with Costa's additional accompaniments , being the work chosen for the occasion . Miss Annie Williams , Miss Adela Vernon ,

Music.

Madame Patey , Mr . Henry Guy , and Mr . Burgon were announced as the solo vocalists , but thc chief interest will , doubtless , have been derived from the presence of Bro . Sir Michael Costa , P . G . W . and P . G . O ., whose health is sufficiently restored to enable him lo resume his baton of conductor . 'The re-appearance of our veteran and distinguished brother will , doubtless , have lent additional eclat to a concert , which has terminated the career of an admirable society after an existence of half a century .

I he Philharmonic Society ' s concert , which was to have taken place on Thursday , has been postponed in consequence of the Royal wedding , and the services of Mr . VV . G . Cusins , the conductor , being required at Windsor . Consequently another month will now elapse cro

Rubenstein s oratorio of " Paradise Lost" can be procured . No doubt , however , the temporary disappointment caused by this delay will be far more than counterbalanced by the greater completion with which thc work will be performed on the day appointed .

Four inarches were played at the marriage , in St . George's Chapel , Windsor , of Piince Leopold , iiukeof Albany , P . G . W ., with the Princess Helene of Waldeck-Pyrmont , namely , the one expressly composed by Gounod for the occasion at the request of Her Majesty , Mendelssohn's "Athalie" and "Wedding" Marches , and the march which forms the final movement of Handel ' s "Occasional" overture . English music was represented by two minor compositions b y Sir Geo . Elvey .

Science And Art.

SCIENCE AND ART .

At the general monthly meeting , on Thursday last , of the Zoological Society , Professor Flower , LL . D ., F . R . S ., in the chair , sympathetic reference was made to the loss which the Society and science in general had sustained by the death of Professor Darwin * . A number of gentlemen were elected Fellows , and the names of several others were put down for ballot at the next mcetin" * .

On Thursday night , in honourof Prince J . eopold ' s wedding , Windsor Castle was illuminated bv the Compton Electric Light Company , and Windsor itself " hy the Anglo-American Brush System . * * * - The Summer Exhibition at the Grosvenor Gallery will open cm Monday next , the ist prox .

I he second conversazione of the twenty-fourth session of the Society for the Encouragement of the Fine Arts , was held on Thursday evening , in the galleries of the Society of British Artists , the entertainment being made still more pleasant from the performance of a selection of

vocal and instrumental music , under the direction of Signor Romili , the performers being students of the London Academy . The Society , of which the Duke of Manchester , Prov . G . Master , Norths and Hunts , is President , was founded in 1 S 5 S , and has loyally helped to develope a taste for the fine arts .

The thiity-first meeting of the American Association for the advancement of Science will be held in Montreal , Canada , in the week commencing 23 rd August next , under the presidency of Professor Dawson , LL . D ., F . R . S ., principal of the M'Gill University .

* * * At the meeting on Saturday last of the Royal Botanic Society , the chair was taken by Professor St . George Mivart , and in enumerating the donations lately received , reference was made to several recent publications hy the Indian Goverment on thc subject of forest

administration , and Mr . G . J . Symons , F . R . S ., remarked that it was particularly gratifying to know that the Indian Government were taking measures not only for the preservation but the increase of forests under its control , as well as forthe prevention of the destructive fires common to hot and dry climates .

* * * The death is announced of Mr . Fdward Duncan , who in 1 S 49 was elected an Associate of the Society of Painters in Water Colours , and became a full member the year following . Mr . Dunca n wa- in his seventy-ninth year .

I he Exhibition of the Royal Society of Painters m Water Colours , which opened on Monday , contains many admirable contributions , most prominent among them being a large picture by Sir John Gilbert , R . A ., entitled "The Head of the Procession" ( No . 105 ) , representing a group of girls bearing flowers , followed by horsemen , trumpeters , spearmen , & c It is rich in colourswhile the drawing is

, free and vigorous . Another very attractive work is that by Mr . H . Wallis ( G 4 ) , representing a scene from "The Merchant of Venice , " in which Gratiano having brought / ortia Bassanio's ring , is wheedled out of his own by Nerissa . Mr . Dobson , R . A ., contributes the study of a child , " Winter'Cherries " ( 21 ); and Mr . II . M . Marshall , several highly realistic studies of views in London , such as

Pall Mall East" ( 17 ) , "A City Square , St . Bartholomew" ( 49 ) , "Westminster—Evening , After Rain " ( 91 ,, and " l-rom the 'Tower Ouay " ( 231 ) . Among Mr Carl Haag ' s works are his "Ready for Defence" ( 114 ) , representing an Arab chieftain halting on the sand to repel an attack , and " A Caravan of Bedaween returning to the Libyan Desert" ( 242 ) , in which is seen a long train of men

and gaily-caparisoned camels straggling across the sand and passing a giganitc sphinx on the way . A very pleasing picture is No . 1 G 4 , by Mr . E . Buckman , in which a soldier and two sailors are sitting round a table at a roadside inn , the soldier having just filled up a mug of beer for a country lass , that she may drink the toast of "'The Armv 9 nH

Navy . " Mr . Henry Moore's " A Break in the Storm " ( 9 ) is well treated . There are also excellent specimens of work exhibited by Mrs . Allingham , Mr . O . VV . Brierly Birket Foster , Mr . Francis Powell , Otto Weber , Mr . E . K Johnson , Sic , & c . Messrs . R . Beavis , C . Gregory , J . Hardwick , S . J . Hodson , and MisssC . Phillott have been elected associates of the Society .