MUSGROVE'S OPERA COMPANY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 168, 29 July 1901, Page 2

MUSGROVE'S OPERA COMPANY.

The ever-popular "Maritana" attracted another very large and appreciative audience on Saturday night. The only change in the caste was the appearance of Mr Lempriere Pringie as Don Jose, and this popular artist, ■gave an excellent interpretation of the part. The performance altogether was an excellent one and was enthusiastically received. "THE FLYTNG DUTCHMAN." One of the "font urns" of bhc season eventuates to-night, #hen the company will produce Warner's great opera, "The Flying Dutchman." Tho opera is founded upon an old legend, which relates how a Dutch captain once tried to double the Cape of (Jowl Hope in the teeth of a furious gale, ■and swore he would accomplish his purpose, even if he kep<t sailing on for ever. The devil heard the oath, and condemned the unhappy captain to sail the sea until the day of judgment, without aim, and without hope of release, unless Tie could find a woman to love him faithfully until death. The devil allowed him to go ashore once in seven years to find such a woman, and the opera proceeds to : show how during one such term of j respite the Dutchman meets with SenI ta, the daughter of Daland, a Norwegian sea captain, with the latt.er's consent, and in the capacity of her wooer. Senta, who recognises the Dutchman - from his likeness to a portrait, and ! who knows his story, consents to become his wife, and vows fidelity. Senta has an ardent lover in one Erik, a ! huntsman, and while the latter is | pressing his suit the Dutchman enters, and, believing himself to be forsaken by Senta, rushes off to his ship, first j declaring his identity. Senta, shaking | off the detaining hands of her friends, i ascends a cliff and oasts herself into the sea, calling io the Flying Dutchman and protesting her faithfulness until death. The. Dutchman's ship immediately sinks, the sea rises, and over the wreck of the vessel the forms of Senta and the Dutchman are seen emerging from the waters and floatingupwards.