STANTON OPERA COMPANY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 129, 1 June 1901, Page 4

STANTON OPERA COMPANY.

"THE FENCING MASTER."

At,the Opera House last evening the ■ Josephine Stanton Opera Company re- 1 placed "Wang" with a three-act ■ comic opera, by Smith and De Koven, entitled "The fencing Master." Tie story deals with the fortunes of a--15th century girl named Francesa, whose father, Torcuiato, has brought I her up as a boy, ana has eventually installed her as fencing- master of the Court of Milan. Miss Stanton filled the role of Francesa with great success, winning loud applause for her vocal contributions. The part of Fortunio, the gay soldier of fortune, and rightful heir to the throne of Milan, was taken by Mr Henry Hallam, who did full justice to the music allotted him. One of the best numbers was his duet with Francesa, "Love, Take. This Rose," which was rendered most effectively. The comic element was supplied by Mr Clarence Harvey as the penniless Duke of Milan, ami Mr George Kunkel as his private astrologer, both of whom proved "very amusing. They were.Te- ■% called again and again in the third act^ for their novel duet, in which the Duke', sings a comic «song, while his astrologer accompanies on the do*uble bass. The part of Torquato was taken by Mr Jean de Lacy, Count Guido hy Mr George Lyding, Filippa, the Duke's ward, by -Miss Bertha Neilsson, {Mai Marchesa by Miss Clara Wisdom, and Theresa "by Miss K. Goodrich. The choruses were at times rather overpowered by the orchestral accompanU ment, but on the whole they were het« ter rendered than, those of the previous production. Among the concerted numbers, mention should be made of the quintette in the first act, which was acceptably sung. "The Fencing Master" will be repeated to-night, and on Monday, and will be replaced on Tuesday evening by "Fra Diavolo," with "Said Pasha" to' follow next Friday and Saturday.