LYSTER'S OPERA COMPANY.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XX, Issue 2305, 9 December 1864, Page 4

LYSTER'S OPERA COMPANY.

Ox Wednesday evening Rossini's Italian opera of "La Coueientola" (Cinderella) was given by this company, befoi c a crowded house, under the patronage of the D.P.G.M , W.M., officers, and biethien of all the the masonic lodges in Auckland and Onehunga. The hall was filled to overflowing,— a fitting compliment to the talented company, and that of the composer. Rossini, as moit of our readers know, was theson of astrolliuq musici.au, by whom he was taught the rudiments of his »rt. At twenty-one he produced (in the year 1813) his "Tancredi," which at once made him famous through Etiropo. Encouraged by hi-, success, he produced a number of other works, in quick succession ; all of which, however, were infeiior to the work which biought him into popularity. At twenty-four he produced his famous "Barber of Seville," and at thirty seven "Guglielmo Tell,'' which closed his musical career as a composer. "An additional success would add nothing to my fame,' he faid ; " a failure would injure it." He then retired from the musical world, after holding for some time the post of manager of ihe Italian ' Opera in Pari«. ' His "Cinderella" is too well known as » burlesque representation to need any description from v«. The inteiest of the piece was well sustained throughout, and veiy fewoj)eias have been given here with gi eater success. Mdlle. Durand took the character of Cinderella with much pleasing effect. r>he sung veiy sweetly the several alias m her part, and elicited the admiiafciou of a numeious audience. In the finale to the second net she was paiticulaily pleasing, namely, in "Delightful hours of rapture ;" and in the duet scenes with the Pimee, " Midst flattering hopes," and ""Wheiefore thus within my frame," she was loudly and justly applauded. Mr. E. A. Beaiimont, as the Prince, had lost none of his excellence as a vocalist. He sang the opening piece with great taste and feeling,, and was deservedly applauded. "Morning its sweets is flinging," ""Whence thi* soft? and pleasing flame," and the opening of the thiid act "Softly, softly, in a whisper," weie also much applauded. Mr. Pied Lyster, as the Baron, was inimitable, and in "Ye tormentois," in which the Baron reveals in soug the incideuts of his portentous dicam, lie was much applauded. Mr. What ton, as Dandini, sang "Sir, a secret most important," and " All my grandeur's but a joke," with capital effect. Mr. Kitts, as Alidora, fully maintained his reputation ; and Mr. Lloyd, as Pedro, was lcmarkably funny. Clorinda and Thisbe, the beautiful though venerable daughters of the Baton, in seat eh of husbands, were well personated by Mrs. King and Mrs. Andrews. The choruses and orchestial pciformaucea, and the hceneiy and stage auangements weie all very perfect. During the oveniug the orchestra performed a, grand masonic waltz, composed expressly for the occasion by Mr. George Loder, with variations for flute, clarionet, and cornet, which was rapturously received. "Norma" wis given by the Lyster Opera Company to a crowded house last evening, under the pationage of General Gunsron and staff; hi* Excellency the Governor and Commodore Sir W. Wiseman' being also present. The opera was given with the chaiacteristie success which has attended the peiformmcea of this company, but pressure upon, our space prevents us from giviug our critique of it to-day. " Faust " is announced for this evening.