THE OPERA.

Press, Volume XXXVI, Issue 5074, 12 December 1881, Page 3

THE OPERA.

" Thb Bohsmiah Gibl." Ibie opera ie always popular, filled to the brim as it is with charming melodiea. On Saturday a large boose testified by their frequent applause to the pleasure which they felt in hearing an old favorite so worthily rendered. And the manner in whioh the opera was given if all the more creditable because Mr Gordon wae not sufficiently recovered to take hie place, and a change in the original caate had to be made, Mr Farley taking the part of the Count instead of Mr Gordon, and Mr Shannon that of Devilsheof initead of Mr Farley That Mi»a Montague's Arhne was delightful did not eurprue the public, who now to fully appreciate the versatility and ; charming vocalization of the moit popular : prima donna who has yet vieited Chnetchurch. Nothing could be more enjoyable than the manner in which she rendered the wellknown airs which fell to her lot. I dreamt that I dwelt in marble halle " wai entoonattieally encored, while "dome with the gip»y bride," "Oh, what full delight," and others too numeroui to mention, were received wita equal enthusiasm. Mr Turner , * Thaddeus we* one of the be»t renditiose he ha* yet giren m. It wai full of fire, and bi« «ngn>g.o£ « When the fair land of Poland" » •J* aa B to be remembered. Mr Farley, •• Oo™& Arnheim, wae a very good performance, mow particularly aa ithe part waa not hi» own. "The heart bow'd down" m muchappreeiated, and received an encore. Mv» Deakw, aa the Gipiy Queen, was good. Ihe p»ta of Florertein and Devilahoof wen hardly so

efficiently filled. The concerted pieces and oborusses all went excellently, and the piece as a whole was an unmitigated success. We may, however, fairly take exception to the j "make up" of the Count. For a gentieman who talks of himself as broken by grief, and pathetically alludes to bis grey hairs, it seems rather out of place that he should appear as a gay young officer of some five and twenty summers. A company purely dramatic would never have erred against possibilities in this manner. Wβ might further touch on the length of time the audience were kept between the acte without any music whatever. Maritana will be repeated 10-night.