THE OPERA.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1839, 14 January 1880, Page 3

THE OPERA.

It is matter for regret that the management cannot be congratulated on the reception ■which the production of "The Bohemian Girl" met with last evening, at leaßt bo far as the dress circle was concerned. A full house might fairly have been anticipated for this favorite opera, and had it not been for the unfavorable state of the weather it can hardly be supposed thai it would have been otherwise. "The Bohemian Girl" was played for the first time in IS4O, and has been the most oontinously favorite and widest known of Balfe's opetaß. It perhaps attains in the highest degree the chief aim of the composer, which waß to write that which would catch the ear of the public, and to become a popular composer. That this, or any of his works, will be enduring can scarcely be expected. Although not devoid of ability in their composition, they are deficient in the higher qualities of musical genius, without which no work can be lasting. The manner in which the opera was put on the stage last evening was undoubtedly good, .the interest being well sustained throughout, .Madame Rose Herseo, aB Arline, shewing to a remarkable degr.se her perfect control of voice. Her Binging, in the second act, where she first appears revealing her •dream to Thaddeus, quite secured the goodwill of the house, and called forth prolonged applause, to which she responded by repeating the last verse. Her singing and acting in duet with Thaddeus, " The wound upon thine -arm," in the song with chorus, in "The gipsy's life," and in the scene with the Count, being finished performances. Mr Armes Beaumont has a voice that, with the exception of some of his upper notes which at times seem hard, is an acquisition to any -company, his register at D being particularly fine. In the air "When other lips," as might have been expected, he fairly brought down the house. Signor Verdi, as the Count, displayed powers that judging from the previous night, were scarcely to be expected. It is evident that this character is one of his very best, his whole performance laßt evening, if a tendency to sing out of tune on the lower notes is excepted, was most artistic. His rendering of "The heart bow'd down" was very nearly perfect, and the same may be said of Mm in the finale to the second act. His best notes appear to be about the upper D. Mr Tercpleton, as Devilßhoof, was good, and his voice at time shows signs of an organ of no great but fair power and quality. Mrs Fox, as the Queen, was fairly successful only, until the duett, " This is thy deed," and she then gave some good singing and acting. At the pHtsage, " Heed the warning," she was decidedly out of tune. Mr Johnson as Florenstein, the foolish nephew of the" Count, was amusing, but had not not much, opportunity for any other display. Of the concerted pieces, part of the finale to Act 1, prsluded by the galop, the quartette "Prom the valleys," the trio " Through the world," and the finale, especially the quartette, which was deservedly rewarded by a round of applause, wero very well given. The orchestra, although evincing a decided improvement on the previous night, was occasionally much too ■powerful. In the introduction to the recit and air, " The heart bowed down," the clarinett solo, played with a great degree of execution and feeling, was redemanded. Verdi's popular "II Trovatore " is announced for to-night.