THEATRE ROYAL.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3650, 27 March 1883, Page 2

THEATRE ROYAL.

GIROFLE - GIROFIA. On Saturday evening Simonsen's English Opera Company opened their season at the Theatre Royal, when was presented for tlio first time in Napier Lecoeq's opera-bouffc " Giroflc-Girofla." As is usual in the case of Saturday night performances in this town the attendance was but small, and could not have had a very inspiriting effect upon the artistes, who, having only arrived from Gisborno that morning, were thus placed at a dual disadvantage. Punctually at 8 o'clock the orchestra, numbering seven performers, commenced the introductory overture, which was played in brilliant style and left no shadow of doubt on the minds of those present as to the resources of the company in that department. With the opera itself, and to a certain extent the manner in which it was placed on the stage, we were, however, disappointed. " GirofleGirofla'' is one of those pieces that (like Stevens and Solomon's "Billcc Tsiylor") can never hope to be popular with a colonial audience ; indeed to make it even acceptable would necessitate the employment of a much stronger oast than that to which its production was assigned on Saturday night. Some of the music is sparkling , and pretty, but the greater part is commonplace, and occasionally dreary, while, with the exception of the drinking song "See how it sparkles,'' there is not a pleasing solo in the whole opera. The company seems to be rather weak in chorus, the voices on more than one occasion being almost drowned by the orchestral accompaniment. The couplets in the first act "Wo women weak '' were '' cut for some reasoiv, as were also the air, " Hast forgot how 3-011 said this morning," in the same act, and the duet and chorus " Pray have pity now" in the third act. To Miss Martina Simonsen was entrusted the title role, and if must be said of her that she did the part ample justice. Her singing was accurate and powerful, and her acting vivacious. In the solo " Turn not away," and the duet with Marasquiu " All is over," Miss Simonsen's voice was heard to good advantage. She also sang with much spirit the music alloted to her at the beginning of the second act, while for her rendering of the drinking song later on she received the only encore of the evening. Miss Frances Saville's Pedro was a pleasing performance, as was also Miss Ycre's Pasquitta. Of the remaining characters very little can be said. The singing of the gentlemen performers was iv no instance above mediocrity, and with several of them there was a tendency to "mouth" the diologue. "Emendations arc seldom any improvement upon the text," should be the motto of every artiste who values his or her professional standing, and to ensure a correct interpretation of a part it is first of all ' necessary to learn it. In passing these strictures we are actuated by no captious spirit, and woidd much rather it had fallen to our lot to write differently, but to serve the public interest must be our first consideration, therefore we have spoken plainly. We can only hope that we may have the opportunity to speak more favorably of the company on a future occasion. . L.V FIILE DE JTADASTE AXGOT. A i-ood house assembled at the Theatre Royal on Monday night to witness the performance of Lecocq's favorite opera, "La Fillc de Madame Angot," by the Simonsen Opera Company. It was generally anticipated that after a day's rest, and in a piece familiar to almost every theatre-goer, the company would appear to much better advantage" than on the opening night, but we regret to say such was not the case. There was great room for improve incut in the manner in which the opera was put upon thp stage, several of the dresses and appointments being out of all keeping. The chorus was again weak, and at the opening of the second act sang very irregularly. The conspirators' chorus, too, was given in quite an original fashion. We have also to find fault with the looso way in which the dialogue throughout was delivered, or perhaps it would be more correct to say not delivered, especially in the case of the male performers. The voice of the prompter was frequently to be heard quite as distinctly as the voice of the actor on the stage. We might also suggest again that it is unfair to take liberties' with tlie text; the substitution, for instance, of the word "duty" for " gratitude " spoils the sense, and "Very well, ma'am, then I retire," is n,ot nearly so effective as the author's "I go." It also border's rather closely on the vulgar when a lady artiste, y for the purpose, we presume, of raising a laugh, alters the name of Henriette Jolivet to that of Molly O'Raffcrty, and exclaims " Well, I should just think bo, rather," when the author would have her remain silent.

Many other minor matters, which, though seemingly small in themselves, are nevertheless worthy of more attention than is usually given them, might bo mentioned, but we forbear. "With the singing and acting of Mr Simonsen's family we can find but little fault. There is, however, no disguising the fact that they are poorly supported by the remaining members of the company. The orchestra is unquestionably one of the best that has visited Napier, and is liighly creditable to Mr Simonsen, while Madame Simonsen's ability as a vocalist of a high order is so well known as to need no "word of commendation from us. As Mddle. Lange she acted and sang with her accustomed vigor and energy, and succeeded from first to last in carrying the audience with her. Iv the solo at the beginning of the second act she quite surpassed herself, and ■was rapturously apphuidcd at the close. Miss Leonora Simonsen succeeded admirably in her representation of Clairette, and won golden opinions for her careful interpretation of the music entrusted to her. She looked charming, and generally acted well. The duo in the first act between Clairette and Pitou was taken spiritedly, but undoubtedly her best effort was in the duo with Mdlle. Lange. In the latter the voices blcndid beautifully. Miss Florence Saville was fairly successful as Aramante, but her performance suffered in comparison with that of other ladies we have seen here in the same character. The same may be said of Mr Brcnnir, who essayed the part of Ango Pitou. Mr Saurell was amusing as Louchard, as was also Mr Bellair, who appeared as the volatile Trcnitz. None of the others in the cast call for any special mention, if we except Mr Fitzgerald, who is deserving of a word of praise for keeping more eloselj' to the text than any of his brother professionals who appeared with him. The tableau at the end of the second act was cleverly managed, considering the strength of the company. This even ing "Sataneila" willbeproduced, and in connection with the performance a special train will run to and from Hastings.