THE OPERA

Evening Post, Volume XXI, Issue 40, 18 February 1881, Page 2

THE OPERA

Bellini's opera, "La Sonnambnla," was prodnced by the Simonsen Company last night to a fair house. The chief interest of the performance naturally centred in the first appearance of Miss Simonsen, who took the part of Amina, and who had a most cordial reception on her entrance. She at once proved herself the possessor of a very sweet and powerful soprano voice of extensive compass — reaching oasily to D in alt — and groat flexibility, which she already, although so young, has learned to use with much artistic skill, while she acts with intelligence and feeling, her inghiue style moreover being specially suited to the role she enacted. Her shake is very promising and her scales are generally excellent, one staccato roulade in the opening solo, " O love for me," being particularly commendable. The final rondo, "Do not mingle," was her least happy effort, showing signs of fatigue which rendered her scales less clear and crisp than in the earlier airs. Her general success, however, was unquestionable, and she evidently has a brilliant future before her. Miss Frances Simonsen's Lisa was too obviously the performance of a young beginner to call for elaborate criticism; she acquitted herself moderately I well, but baß still much to learn, both vocally and histrionically. Signor Bianchi, who played Elvino, acted with spirit and judgment and sang with force and expression, his voice moreover being to all appearance naturally rich and full in quality, while he took the highest notes with ease, yet he spoiled all by the excessive and incessant vibrato, which amounted almost to a trill on two semitones, producing a very disagreeable effect in the duets and concerted music ; also by forcing his voice out of tune in the upper notes, when he invariably sang sharp, sometimes to the extent of a full semitone. But for these defects, his scena, "All is lost," which otherwise was capitally sing, would have been a marked success. He seems to have contracted a bad habit in voice-production, which he should spare no pains to correct, as his natural voice is well worth the labor. Signor JEUecardi was an admirable Rodolfo, his singing and acting being alike irreproachable. The minor part 3 were efficient, and the choruses remarkably good and full, but the orchestra at times uncertain. We never did admire the silly buffoonery , always introduced in the English version of "La Sonnambula," and last evening less than ever, nor can we say much in praise of the scenery, which was a somewhat meagre description. To-night Gounod's '"Faust" will be produced, and Miss Leonora Simonsen will make her first appearance here.