COMIC OPERA SEASON.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 223, 18 September 1894, Page 2

COMIC OPERA SEASON.

••BULBO." -|

"BoiiBO," a three-act comic opera written ahd composed by Mr ET..Harrison, was played for the first time in New Zealand by Pollard's Liliputian Company yast nighty and m_b with the manifest approval of a _rge audience.. , Tho,story opens'at the royal-palace of Valoroso, reigning monarch of Paflagonia, where great preparations are being made for the approaching visit of Prince Bulbo, heir bo the throne of the neighbouring kingdom of Criih Tartary, who comes as a suitor for the hand of the youbg Princess Angelica, Valorosb's' only, daughter. His nephew, Prince GigliOj the rightful heir, being jilted by 'his coußin Angelica,, tails in, love, with Rosalba, a palace chambermaid, who returns his affect tion. The Fairy Blackstick,-godmother to Giglio and Rosalba, visits tbe palace, and in punishment* for his rudeness, changes Jenkins Gruffanuff, the hall porter, into a doorknocker. His wife, Countess Grußanuff, Angelica's governess, thinking herself a widow, inveigles Giglio into signing a promise to marry her, misrepresenting it as an order for coals for the p00r.,. Bulbo now meets Rosalba, and is smitten with her, but Giglio interrupts his and avows his own love, arid Subsequently surprising Valoroso making proposals to her, floors him with a warming pan. The king orders Bedzoff, the captain oi the guard, to arrest and execute the prince, meaning Giglio, but at Gruffanuff's instigation he seines Prince Bulbo inßtead. The execution is stayed jusb in time by Angelica with a royal,-reprieve, and' Rosalba is threatened with torture unless she reveals Giglio's whereabouts., GigK° hereupon 'arrives, claims his crown and throne, rescues-Rosalba, and defies tbo King. -He is seized, but saved by the magic power of his fairy godmother. Giglio collects an army, defeats his uncle, and all is about to'Shd happily in the double marriage of the two Princes with Angelica and Rosalba, when Madame Gruffanuff appears attired as a bride and demands Giglio's fulfilment of his. promise of marriage. In despair. Giglio yields,' and the wedding is aboub bo take place when the Fairy Blackstick reappears, and on Gruffanuff insisting on ' having her husband, •'restore- the door knocker back to the missing hall porter, Jonkins-Gruffanuff, with the resulb that everybody is made happy, and the ourtain falls amidst general rejoicing. This is, we. understand, Mr Harrison's firsb attempt in. opera, and ho musb be highly gratified wibh the reception accorded to " Bulbo." There is a welldefined plot, but it is somewhat difficult to grasp ib as bhe opera is. developed, and there is a good deal that iB really bright and clever in the libretto, bub both words and music, 'while undoubtedly good, seldom ascend above thab level, and following upon the heels of such a musical genius asSullivan, and such alibrettist as Gilberb, Mr .Harrison Bbands manifesbly aba disadvantage by comparison. There are a number of very effective solos, and one very pretty duet, and the choruses are written with a full appreciation of popular taste, being bright, catchy, and permitting the introduction of a good deal of business. In this latter Mr Pollard has dono much to make the performance a success. The costumes are novel and neatly designed, the young people are well'versed in their parts, and bhe various marches, choruses and stage business generally are very effectively worked out. The scenic effeots also are decidedly good, and in this connection we must give a great deal of praise to Master W. S. Percy, who though only an amateurwitli the brush, haß turned put a very pretty first scene. The overture was played by an orchestra largely augmented for this occasion, and ab bhe conclusion the audience loudly testified their appreciation of Mr Harrison's work. The composer was presented with a handsome florabwreath, and bowedhis ac.khowledgments. From this onward encores were frequent, and the principal solob had to be repeated in response to demands made by the audience. Miss Marion Mitchell as Prince Giglio, and Miss Sissy Sanford as Rosalba, divided tbe honours of first favourite, and there is little doubt thab the last-named young lady is getting on very rapidly in hor adopted profession. One of the finest items was the duet, " By Thy Side, Deadest One," sung by these two popular young artiste's, and in this number, on first impression, we fancy the composer: has scored his greatest success; The duet was charmingly sung and enthusiastically applauded, a repetition being inevitable.' Master All" Stevens as King Valaroso, and Master Harry Quealy as Prince Bulbo, were also very clever, but being new to the characters, lefb room for improvement in many respects. They were, even in their sober moments, the most undignified royalties we remember having seen even on the stage, and, if only for the sake of conbrasb, some slight alteration should be made early in the first act. Master W. Percy made the most, of "Captain Hedzoff," but the part does nob afford greab opportunities. Miss Maud Beatby made a very handsome "Fairy Blacksbick," and . Miss Lily Stephens, a charming Angelica. Miss. Emily Metcalfe scarcely grasped the character of Countess . Gruffanuff, which could be played less noisily ahd more effectively. The minor characters were well played, and thei general business and Chorus singing were decidedly good. The opera on tbe whole is well worth seeing, and ahould draw large audiences tor the remainder of the season, which is to conclude on Wednesday.