THE OPERA.

Evening Star, Issue 6815, 1 February 1886, Page 2

THE OPERA.

There was a large attendance on Saturday evening, when "Maritana" was repeated. The feature of the performance was undoubtedly Mr Harding's magnificent singing of Don Csesar's music. This gentleman also acted very well indeed, and may be congratulated on having scored a most genuine success all round. We may. however, be allowed to express the opinion that the audience were selfish in demanding encores to both " Let me like a soldier fall" and " There is a Mower that bloometh,"and that Mr Harding was unwise in acceding to the calls. It is quite enough to sing these songs once, Speaking of this opera, we ought in fairness to give a word of praise to Mr Wcutworth for his singing and acting in the part of the King ; and the chorus aro to be commended for their singing in " Here's to the lady," "What mystery," and other full-voice numbers.

Last evening a sacred and classical concert was given before a good audience. The inarch from " Athalie" was not well played by the orchestra. It seemed to havo been insuilicf entry rehearsed, and some of the instruments were out of tune. The chorus " Angels that surround" turned out to be no novelty, but our old acquaintance the "Angelus," from "Maritana." Its performance was anything but satisfactory, the singers being at times nearly half a tone sharper than the orchestra. Only in the last few bars was there anything like accord between the vocalists and the instruments. Mr Palmer gave a fairly good rendering of "David singing before Saul"; and Mrs Klingenfield followed with "He was Despised," which was sung in a manner that pleased everybody, though the pianist rather hurried the time. Mr Wentworth's "When Night is Darkest" gained a round of applause, which was well deserved. Miss Liddiard was down for the next item, but she did not appear. We understand that this lady's absence was through illness. Mr Harding delighted his audience with a tasteful and brilliant interpretation of " Cujus Animam," a piece that he has evidently studied carefully. The trio "Ti Prego " was the best rendered of the concerted items during the evening. Mr Winter gave "Justoram Animc Tibi " creditably; and Miss Plaisted charmed the audience by her splendid singing of " Under the Dome." This last piece, however, was to a great extent marred by the chorus, who were stationed in the wings and sang their part as regards time independently of both orchestra and vocalist. The second part of the concert was made up of secular selections, most of which were given with good effect,

"La Perichole' is to be played tins evening. _^_________^