ENGLISH OPERA COMPANY.

Auckland Star, Volume V, Issue 1392, 28 July 1874, Page 2

ENGLISH OPERA COMPANY.

A splendid house the production of Rossini's opera of " Cinderella" last night at the Prince of Wales Th« atre. The simple face of a work of tins great genius being performed was sufficient to attract a large number. Rossini has been conceded the palm amongst modern composers. From the year 18 L 3, when as a boy of 20, he brought out " Taricredi" at Venice, and took the musical world by atdnh; up U hi* death #n\s the other day, his .position as facile prin&eps !ainong the kings of music has only been approached not "disturbed. All his more important operas, including "II Barbiere di Seviligia" " Otello,'" "La, Cenerentola," (Cinderella.), "La Gafea Lsidra,''' - *'' £elVmra" " GuUkume Tell," were composed in the interval between 1813 and .1829. After that time Kossini wrote but little, the " Stabat Mater " being almost his only later work .of note. After occupying the post of director of the Italian Opera at PftriS from 1828 to 1830 he retired from public life, living for the pSSfc ygars at ' Paris/ and after that in his own sunny Italy. We have before given reas.on of Kossini's never-failing popularity with all classes of opera goers. ; To iepeat it, it is becaufee hQ. never forgfeta what some composers seem oblivious of, tiivfc to plbaafc should be one of the'principal.aims of true art. II is compositions are characterised by a vivacious melody in addition to a brilliancy of ihstnimchtaMon ?nd effect;' 'Cipderella" is eminently a spectacular opera,, atstL dc-pefids mttch more than most operas on the scenic accessories, We were glad to see lasfc-night that this was fully recognised by the company The scenery was the -best, we have seen on an Auckland stage. The fairy scenes at the opening and the conclusion were really magnificent The dres^a, were in,accordance I with the scenery. They had the appearance at any rate of being rich and costly, while the* Certainly were tasteful and elegant.. Tlaving dispas&a of trfesa minor details let tis see°what there is tti U Said about the actual performance. * The opera oi S-in-derella" is deficient in beautiful songs, so that its strains do not come home to the listener like the music of "Maritana" or the "Bohemian Girl,' 1 but for all that it is as we have irttimakd, brimful of sparkling melody, lne instrument&l. accompaminenta to the fairy spells were rendered ttith a lingering and mysterious softness which accorded well with theideaof enchantment. Throughouttheopera the instruments give forth as it were a dreamy wave-liko melody which, while it stirs every musical impulse within one, yet wraps the senses in slumber to every outside influence .—a beautiful rise and fall like the gentle undulations of a maiden's bosom. This charming characteristic was specially noticeable at theend of the second actinthesong and chorus "'Midst doubts confusing," sung splendidly by Mr Templeton and the company. Mr Allen's orchestra here seemed to enter fully into the spirit of the passage, and were, eminently succesful in producing^he desired effect^ Miss May, «• tne heroine of the glass slipper, gave prominence to the naivete and charming simplicity of the character. Her first song, " Once there chanced a king to be," at once stirred the audieuce to enthusiasm. She was in excellent voice, and maintained as she always does a vivacity of action and expression which gave life and individuality to the role. The duett, "Whence this soft and pleasing flame," by Miss May and Mr Hallam, was one of the most delightful touches of harmony we have listened to. The music is eminently characteristic of the author, and was given with all the required impressement by the singers. This was surpassed later on by the duett, "Let thine eyes on mine mildly beaming." This was undoubtedly the finest morceau of the evening. It was expressed most happily, and at its conclusion a storm of apr . flowed. Mr Hallam, bearing in plans* *„_ —"■» his first appearince in the mind that this >r.-_ ' -olf very favorably, character, acquitted hlnie^ * mentioned In addition to the duets we haVe *u_ -■ .' :" his siuging throughout was marked b"y n,*. usual clear intonation. A very pretty part soug, in which Miss May, Messrs Hallam, Templeton, Raiuford and Vernon Bang was not given in the libretto. We noticed too that Mr Hallam left outihe song:" Of beauty rarest." Mr Templeton as Dandini, and Mr Kainford as the Baron, peiformed their tasks very efficiently. Miss Lambert and Miss Howe, as the proud , sisters, put plenty of life into their action. T,he performers, as a body were less perfect in their libretto than is usually the case. To-night is to be produced the "Boss of Castile," repeated by. special request. To-morrow Weber's great masterpiece " Der Freischutz" is to be .performed.