ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA COMPANY.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 5070, 8 May 1878, Page 2

ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA COMPANY.

The Italian Opera Company made their first appearance last night at the Theatre Royal, which, notwithstanding the rain \ that fell at intervals during the evening, ) was well filled. : The performance opened with a piano solo by Mr Turrell, which was followed by a duet from "Martha," by Signor Tessada and Signor Camero. The former gentleman possessea a bass voice of very good quality, and the latter a powerful tenor. A duet by Mozart was next given, which introduced to the audience Signora Caranti Vita and Signora Venosta, the soprano and contralto of the company. Both ladies sang admirably, and they were very warmly applauded. Signor Paladini, whose singing was greatly admired, then . . gave a romanza from "Don Giovanni" most effectively. A violin solo by Mons. Oaron followed, which was artistically rendered, and heartily encored. Signora, > Oaranti Vita then sans; " When other lips'' very prettily, and had to repeat th& last verse. Signora Venosta was alsoencored for her charming singing of a solo from "Martha." The secondjpart of the programme consisted of the second and fourth acts of Terdi's opera of " Trovatore," and it was in this that the different members of the company showed to the greatest advantage. Signora Venosta, as Azucena, the gipsy, sang splendidly, her really fine contralto being especially suitable for the part. She is also a tragic actress of great ability, and the long seen© between Azucena and Manrico (Signor Camero) was admirably acted, the singing ' > of both being excellent, and receiving prolonged applause. Signora Caranti Vita was Leonora, and she sang with \ much sweetness and feeling. The prison ' scene, with the invisible chorus, was very effective, and altogether this portion of the performance was a great treat to those present. A change of programme is announced for to-night, which will comprise . the whole of the third act of " Faust," with the celebrated jewel scene. We expect to see another crowded house.