POLLARD'S OPERA COMPANY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 5, 5 March 1897, Page 3

POLLARD'S OPERA COMPANY.

" BOCCACCIO."

The opening performance of the Pollard Opera Company, giveu lass night atj the Opera House before an almosb crowded house (the downstairs portion of the spacious building being packed), may be daacribed as one of the highest artistic achievements of this clever company since its organisation. Of bh« long list) of pieces which have been successfully treated by the company, there aro few which have been marked with sueh1 completeness of detail, exeellonb shifting, beautiful dresses, exejuisito scenery aEd stage pictures as " Boccaccio " was when produced last night. The first, uud the only previous tima bho piece was played in Auckland was as far .back as 1834 by Dunniug's Opera Company, but most of the principal numbers, tho coopers' chorua, the duet "Love and Piety,," bhe buffo serenade and oshers, are still frash in the memory of old Auckland playgoers. The atory ia of the Florentine poet's i"ove for Fiuinebta, and into the three aces are crowded cna of the loveha'sb of melodies and one of tha quaintest pictures of life ia tho Italian city.. The opera was mounted upon a mosb gorgeoas scale. Mr Pollard bad evidently spared tio expense in procuring suitable costumes and scenery, and aa a reamo of his efforts in this direction some of tho mosb striking stage pictures presentbd at; the Opura Houbo fur some time were yiven in the course of the opera. The best picture of all, is in tho third act, fclio grund military march, wibh which the act opens. Under the play of vari-coloured limelights' the pages, richly dressed, carrying burnished spoarß and wearing shining heimets and coats of mail, perform a number of military evolutions arranged by Mr Pollard himself. The pages go through tho various evolutions with remarkable correcSness and precision, and the whole scene from beginning to end is one of the mosb beautiful time can possibly be imagined.

In* their acting and singing fche principal artistes have shown great improvement since the company was last) here. Miss Maad Beaoty, who takes the name part, showed a wonderful improvement in her singing, and gave as capable a representation of the character as could be wished. I is certainly one of the best parts which she has yob appeared in. The difficult rondo in the first act), '• Lot Ma Relate," was a wellrenrJered and charming number, and one of her other principal successes «ras the charming dueb "The Alms of Love," suns by Fiamotta and Boccaccio, Mr' W. S. Percy as Limbertuccio, the olive grower, deserves bhe greatest praiee tor bhe success with which ha handles the parb.' As Feronella, Miss May Beafcby (who has rejoined the Company eince its- last risit) made a strikingly successful performance, both her acting and'singing showisjpj such signs ot improvement as to appear atmdsb incredible. Miss Marion Mitchell, who eings es well as ever, made an excellent Fiametta, and Miaa Nellie Wilson did well ao Laonetto. Of the others Mr H. Quealy as Lotteringhi, Miss Agnes Smith as Scalza's daugbtsr, Mibs Emily Metcalfo bb Lobteringhi's wife, Master 0. Albero as Scalza, and Mr A* Stephens aa the Prince of Palermo, were conspicuous for giving very creditable interpretations to their respective parts. As usual an efficient orchestra was present, under the. baton of Mr H. T. Harrison, and the prcsty music of the opera was rendered with faultless precision and accuracy. The opera will be produced again to-night.