OPERA HOUSE.—"FEDORA."

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 204, 1 September 1887, Page 5

OPERA HOUSE.—"FEDORA."

VFedora" was repeated last night with thrilling effect, and the audience were deeply impressed by the realism of the re* presentation. "Wanda" To-night ilr George Leitch'B adaptation of Ouida's novel " Wanda" will be produced at the Opera House,, and should prove a trump card. It has had a successful run both in Melbourne, and Sydney. We subjoin a synopsis of the plot:—The natural son of Paul Zabaroff by a female serf, adopted by a poof and childless French noble, the Marquis, de Sabran, becomes possessed of, the . family papers on the death of: his. protector, and assumes , his narhe and title. £ Accident throws him in the' way of, Wanda yon Szalras, who is living with, her mother, the Princess Ottalie, in their Castle of Schloss Hohenszalrassi He becomes an inmate of the castle and falls in love with its yOung mistress, who is fascinated by the visitor, as is also the Countess Olga Brancha, a married adventuress; The arrival of Prince tgon Vasarhely, the cousin and lover of Wanda, is announced, and as he possesses the secret .of-'.the pseudo-Marquis s real origin, and knows .that his name is Vassia Kazau, the latter is anxious to quit the castle in order: to escape recognition. But its beautiful-chatelaine prevents this by voluntarily offering her hand to the son of the serf,' and the first act closes with this highly. effective situation, Six years are supposed to elapse, and two children have befco'bqrh to Wanda and her husband, their home, being a singularly happy one; but Prince Fgon conies to visit them, and for the first .time learns who his cousin's husband really is. He, however, resolves not to betray the secret., but of regard for her honour and happiness. Unfortunately, the Princess Olga has overheard just enough to give her the clue. to . mystery, and she manages to make the. Marquis acknowledge the imposture .he. has practised. Yet if he will .only*'return her affection, she promises that she;will never divulge the secret. He repels her. advances,.and the result is the revelation to Wanda of the ignoble antecedents of h,er husband. Her proud nature recoils from his deceit and she dismisses him for ever... The discarded husband goes to live in a lonely hut on the mountains, from whence he can see the castle which contains the wife and children he adores;s His' eldest eon Bela, hearing that his father has been on the Hintere Umbalthoral sets out in quest of him in the middle of .winter, and would have perished but for the:.;timely interposition of the father. Meanwhile an alarm has been raised in..the castle* and .Wanda starts- in search of her boy. She finds him safe with her husband, and by this incident a reconciliation is brought abouw.