THE OPERA.

Press, Volume XXII, Issue 2720, 28 April 1874, Page 2

THE OPERA.

'THE Gi AND DUCHESS."

The production of t^_ the most BparkliDg and at be same time absurd & bach c <bmic operas-las., evening by Mr Allen s ceapany was a decidu eac %ess from flret.to l«t, alike in the/manner <i its motm t. ing, and be rendering of the mnsiu ' ; Miss Miy's Grand Duchess is one *f best of »er characters, eh,e appean* to enter into the conception or tJae composer, and to identify herself with the heroine most completely. Her first aria " I dote on \le military," and the " Song of the regiment" wtre both given with all the abanton and piqiancy with which they abound, tnd the sameaay be said of the " Sabre song" frhich was cajitally sang throughout. But lecidedly her kest effor);, as it was the gem I>f the whole opeia, was "Say to him," in which Mies I'ay fairly took the house by Btorw, It waj certainly a splendid piece of vocalisation. In the last act she sane <* Tbev lived in times," excellently. Indeed throughout the whole opera she both sang an ?.S to Perfection, and those who ha»e 'JwSt**" 1 thie cbaract er have a great treat 7 e so come. • • Miss %bert,as Wanda, has not a very great to sing, In the daet with ffrits

iiu, the first .«& where she assumes tW TOOBket awr mounta guard, her acting was in the Highest degree comic and; she sang the murfc well. So also in the scene after the marriage, the duet with Fritz rudely interrupted by serenades, Miss Lambert was excellent. Mr Rainford made a capital General Boom, his make-up and singing throughout the opera being very good. As Fritz Mr Veroon was again successful, and he bide fair to become a great favorite with the opera goers. Mr Evans made his debut as Baron Grog, and pi ay e<l the part excellently MrTcmpleton had a very unthankful part in that of Prince Paul, but he made the most of it. The other characters were all well filled.... The choruses without exception went well, being good alike in time and tune, land the opera ebowed signs of haviug been carefully rehearsed Mr Willis has painted some very prettt scenery for it, the encampment of the troops of the Grand Duchess particularly beine worthy of note. ■ °

The opera will be repeated this evening commencing at half-past seven, in order to finish in time for the special train, tho firet of a eeriee intended to run during the season. ..■■■■,-...