[Illustration: The Scandinavian Composer.]
_Tuesday, April 22._--Mr. BENNETT'S Libretto of _Thorgrim_ good from
literary point of view; poor from dramatic ditto. Composer COWEN not
possessing dramatic power sufficient for two, cannot supply the want.
Sestett and Chorus, end of Act II., skilfully worked up, and received
with acclamation. Opera, in a general way, Wagnerish. Orchestration
shows the hand of a master, Master COWEN. Local colour good, but too
much local colour spoils the Opera. Mr. McGUCKIN is _Thorgrim_ to the
life; singing, acting, and make-up admirable. Miss ZELIE DE LUSSAN
highly commendable. Miss TREMELLI, mother of _Helgi_ (an ugly name and
scarcely mentionable to ears polite), loud and leading as a
lady-villain. _Helgi_ and _Arnora_ are first cousins (not once removed)
to _Telrammond_ the Tedious and _Ortrude_ the Orful. Mr. CELLI as
_King_, a sort of Scandinavian BEAU BRUMMEL, imparts light comedy touch
to Opera, which, but for this, might have been a trifle dull. COWEN
called, came, congratulated. H. R. H. Prince of WALES, setting the best
example, as he always does, to Opera-goers, came at the beginning and
remained to the end.
_April 23._--_Maritana_ delighted everyone. Miss GEORGINA BURNS
splendid. Mr. JOHN CHILD, as _Caesar_, good child. Mr. LESLIE CROTTY good
for _Jose_.
_April 26._--_Lohengrin._ _King_ played by POPE with considerable amount
of temporal power. F. DAVIES good as the _Herald_, but which _Herald_ he
is, whether the "Family" or "New York" not quite clear. Incidental music
by amateurs in the Gallery, who, in lengthy interval between Second and
Third Scenes of Last Act, whistled "_We won't go home till morning!_"
Carl Rosa Opera season soon over, then Drama at Drury Lane, and Italian
Opera at Covent Garden. AUGUSTUS DRURIOLANUS OPERATICUS
COUNTICOUNCILLARIUS (Sheriff _in posse_, Alderman _in futuro_, and Lord
Mayor _in futurissimo_) keeps the ball a rolling at both Houses.
* * * * *
[Illustration: STRICTLY PRIVATE VIEW, ROYAL ACADEMY.]
* * * * *