ENTERTAINMENTS, ETC.

Evening Post, Volume LXIII, Issue 97, 24 April 1902, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS, ETC.

"LE OLGOHES DE CORNEVILLE." The , fascinating music of Planquette's picturesque opera "Les Cloches d© Corneville" was performed at the Opera Ht>uße last evening by the company of , amateurs which recently played tlie same opera at the Empire Bazaar. The better acoustic properties of the Opera House, «ompared *nth ,the Skating Rink building and its humming hive of humanity tit bazaar-time, mude a remarkable idifference in the effect of the music, and naturally both singers and. orchestra, were much more at home. The company under Mr. W. M'Laughliu's direction may be congratulated on giving a generally good performance. The choruses were, on the whole, well sung, though occasionally there was unevenness, and a raggcdness as between chorus and orchestra. The principals were distinctly good. Miss Winnie Birch, as Qermaine, fairly excelled herself, both in Binging and acting, sharing the chief honours of the evening with Miss Jennio Sheen. The latter was a bright, saucy, and sharp Serpolette, but was. not in her best voice. Miss Birch and Miss Sheen received pretty floral tributes. Mr. F. Hendry made a capital Marquis de. Corneville, some of his solos being remarkably well sung. As Qrenicheux, Mr. W. F. Slack i failed .to do himself justice. He has a pleasant, light voice, but seemed to lack confidence in himself. A trio of unusually strong characters in the cast ■were the Baillie, Gobo, and Gasp aid. Messrs. Albert M. Samuel and C. Zachariah, as the i Baillie and Gobo, revelled in their parts, and created much merriment. Gobo's dance was encored. Mr. F. Dunne achieved an acting success in the exacting role of the miser Gnspard. The dressing and general mounting of the opera was first-class. To-night the company will produce "The Pirates, of Penzance."