THE SIMONSEN OPERA COMPANY.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3026, 8 March 1881, Page 3

THE SIMONSEN OPERA COMPANY.

Our musical readers will be glad to see by an advertisement in another column that Mr J. S. Smith has been go successful as to have secured : such liberal promises of support that the treat of a visit from the Simonsen opera company is now assured. We need not speak in terms of praise of this company, the reputation of Bearly everyone of its members being so well and favorably known. Madame Simonsen has already been twice in this town, and on each occasion left such agreeable and indelible impressions that her approaching visit will bo looked forwurd to with the greatest - pfeasure. This time she brings with her two of her daughters—one, Miss Martina, has a fiae soprano voice with great powers of execution and possesses much artistic : ability ; Miss Leonora's voice is contralto, and bath in execution and acting shows to advantage.the admirable training she must have received from her talented mother. The other ladies have been selected from opera companies in Melbourne by Mr Simonsen, whose knowledge and experience of histrionic and musical ■ art is sufficient guarantee that an excellent choice has been made. Signor Paladini is not unknown to Napier play-goers, and when we say that he sings as well as ever we can say no more. Signor Bianchi is quite a young man, recently from Italy; he has a sweet tenor voice, md in pathetic parts is unequalled in the colony. Signor Riccardi is the well-known baritone, whose presence on the stage, combined with his magnificent voice, is always greetedwith applause. Mr Grain, tenor, came over to Australia with Carlotta Patti, a fact sufficient to warrant his ability. Mr St. Clair is basso pro/undo, and Mr Wentworth is a baritone, and, though young, shows great promise. These artistes, together with a full orchestra under such a leader as Mr Simonsen, and having with them a scenic artist and rich costumes, promise to give Napier a treat that has only three times before been offered to lovers of music in this town.