OPERA AND CONCERTS.
The English opera company at Covent Garden are rehearsing an opera called Rip van Winkle, by Bristow, an American composer of trans- atlantic repute. This opera was performed by the Pyne and Harrison troupe during their peregrination through the United States, and has been promised here these two seasons past, but the great run of Balfe's two operas seems to have delayed its production. It is said to be a work of merit, and at all events it will be welcomed as a novelty. Her Majesty's Theatre, it is said, is doomed to be turned into a mon- ster hotel, after the American fashion ; for which purpose the building has been disposed of by Lord Ward to a joint-stock company. We be- lieve that this desecration is, or has been, contemplated; but we under- stand that the consummation is doubtful, the transaction being far from completed. At all events, however, the opening of the theatre by Mr. Lumley this season is now out of the question. Mr. Smith of Drury Lane has obtained his principal stars—not only Titjens but Giuglini ; and Piocolomini's return from America is not expected. The struggle must now be between Gye and Smith : it may be of longer or shorter duration ; but we remain of the opinion we have expressed ever since the great " split " in 1847, that London is unable to support two great Italian opera-houses, and that the one or the other must ultimately go to the wall. In the mean time, competition will probably produce its usual result—cheapness; but whether cheapness consists with the nature of an entertainment essentially splendid and magnificent may be doubted. The Italian opera is maintained at enormous cast in all the great capitals of Europe, (and now of America,) and London must not fall below the general standard. Mr. Hullah's concert of secular music at St. Martin's Hall on Wed- nesday evening was one of the best and most successful he has ever given. It consisted of Bennett's pastoral cantata The May Queen, and Beethoven's ninth or choral symphony. Both were admirably performed, and applauded to the echo by an assemblage who crowded the hall to the very doors. The first general meeting of the Fellows and Associates of the Musical Society of London was held at the Music Hall in Store Street, on the 2nd of this month. Sir John Harrington presided. The report of the committee stated that the number of members is nearly seven hundred and fifty, and (among other particulars) that Mr. Charles Horsley had made a gift to the library of a valuable collection of music amounting to above 300 volumes, and comprising scores of Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Cherubiui, Mendelssohn, and other great masters. Mr. Lodge Merton, the distinguished amateur, was elected a member of the Council in the room of Mr. Willert Beale who had retired. Messrs. Auber, Berlioz, Ernst, Joachim, Meyerbeer, Moscheles, Rossini, and Spohr were named honorary members of the Society.
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