THE MONTAGUE - TURNER OPERA COMPANY.

Evening Post, Volume XLIII, Issue 141, 16 June 1892, Page 2

THE MONTAGUE - TURNER OPERA COMPANY.

THE COMMAND NIGHT. Whon tho Opera Company performed " The Bohemian Girl " earlier in tho season, it was looked upon as not one of their successful productions, and it was, therefore, a subject of regret when Lord Glasgow chose Balfe's work, in preference to others in which the company had appeared to much greater advantage, for performance on the occasion of Tiis first visit to the Opera House. The performers last evening were evidently determined, however, that they should not bo found wanting. They were upon their mettle, and gave a performance much superior to that given when they first produced tho opera, and one which very soon " caught on " with both the distinguished visitors and tho large audience which filled tho theatre, Lord and Lady Glasgow, and tho members of their party, being amongst tho warmest in their applause. The principals were in excellent voice, and this soon became evident from tho manner in whioh Mr. Turner, as Thaddeus, sang " 'Tis Sad to Leave the Fatherland." The impression was deepened in ' ' When othor Lips,' ' for which an encore was refused, and culminated in an excellent rendering of the declamatory introduction to "The Fair Land of Poland," and a splendidly clear, ringing, artistio, and dramatic interpretation of the song itself, which fairly brought down tho house, and ended in an irresistible demand for a repetition of the last verse. The tardy advent of the prima dorma — in " The Bohemian Girl " she is, of course, in an embryonic and infantile state throughout the prologue— and her introductory solo, "I Dreamt that I Dwelt," speedily convinced the audience that she, like Thaadeus, was vocally at her best. She had difficulty in refusing an encore for this and rocalls for every succeeding number, including a most artistio, finished, and tender interpretation of " Home, Sweet Homo," interpolated in the second Act. Arline was most sumptuously attired, the evening dress being particularly handsome. Mr. Farley, as the Count, placed himself on good terms with his audience with his first solo, "A Soldier's Life," and quite surpassed himself by tho pathetic and admirable manner in which he sang " The Heart Bowed Down." He was particularly good in the last act. Miss Lambert as the Queen, was, like the rest of the quartette, heard to great advantage, and for her introduced solo, "I Dreamed a Dream," had to respond to an emphatic recall. Mr. England's Dovilshoof created a great deal of amusement, and was one of the features of the production, and Mr. Stuart was an amusing Florestein. The various duets, trios, &0., wero well sung, especially " The Seorot of her Birth" and "Through the World," and the choruses wore capably and spiritedly given, the orchestra, led by Herr Heinholtz, and conducted by Mr. Harcoprt Lee, contributing much to the general improvement by tho excellence of its accompaniments. On the arrival of Lord and Lady Glasgow, accompanied by Miss Hallowos, Miss Sutcliffe, Captain Hunter-Blair, A.D.C., Mr. E. Clayton, A.D.C., and Mr. Gillingiion. Assistant Private Seorotary, tho party were received by Mr. Cro3s (the manager of the Opora Company) and Mr. Barber (Chairman of the Opera House Directors), tho lastnamed escorting them to their seats, while tho audience stood and the orchestra played " God Save the Queen." Then someone in the stalls oalled for threo cheers, and nearly half of one was given. Cheering is a lo3t art in Wellington outside of the football grounds, and tho audience, recognising the defioienoy, began hand-clapping, which instantly became genoral all over the houce, and was continued for some minutes. Lady Glasgow was provided with a very handsome bouquet, mado up for the management by Mr. W. F. Ross, and with neat card programmes and books ; and during one of the intervals the party were invited to partake of refreshments laid out in the manager's room. At the conclusion of the performance the company sang " God Save the Queen," after the curtain had gone down. For to-night Sir Julius Benedict's romantic opera of the " Lilly of Killarney " (tho lyrical version of " The Colleen Bawn ") is billed. So pleased was the Countess of Glasgow with last night's performance, that she has intimated to the management her intention of being present with a party from Government House at tho Company's presentation of " Faust " to-morrow evening for Miss Annis Montague's benefit. The performance on that occasion will commonco punctually at a quarter to 8.