THEATRE ROYAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LI, Issue 5586, 20 January 1879, Page 5

THEATRE ROYAL.

The closing performance of “Martha” by the amateurs on Saturday night drew a fair house, and was marked by the careful rendering, which was so creditable to all concerned on the first night. The prima donna sang her music with care and completeness as _on the previous occasions, and showed an improvement in dramatic action, which promises well for the success of any rdle that may be allotted to her in the future. Signora Venosta was as usual in grand voice, and mode her role as popular as ever. Mr Towle’s dramatic fervour and good singing did him great credit. Mr Marshall was in very good voice, and made his Plunkett a most marked success. Of the many items in which he took part, the best was the duet between Plunkett and Nancy in the last act, “What's to do ?” —the humourous and catchy music being very well given by both singers. Mr Walker’s Tristran was well sung, and very much better acted, than on the first night. The chorus was again excellent, and the orchestra, though diminished in number, contributed, under the conductorship of Mr Searell and the leadership of Mr Buns greatly to the success of the performance. A very pleasing interlude during the “ fair scene" was the exhibition of Signorßorzoni’s little white sailors, who have established themselves firmly iu the good graces of all the audiences that have seen them. The success of “ Martha,” which has stood the test of several repetitions, justifies the hope that opera has now become acclimatised in the amateur musical public of Christchurch. It should encourage Mr Towle and Signora Venosta to a second effort. The amateur season was wound up by a very pleasant episode, the presentation of a souvenir to the lady amateur who so creditably filled the title rile of the opera. Near the close of the last scene, the whole of the performers being on the stage, with the prima donna in front, the music stopped, and Sir J. Oraoroft Wilson entering, mode the presentation. He said; — “Ladies and gentlemen, —I solicit your attention for a few minutes while I go through a ceremony that cannot be more pleasing to any person in this house than it is to myself." Turning to Miss Rosewarno, Sir Oraoroft Wilson proceeded Your fellow musicians of both sexes have insisted upon my presenting to you this watch, as a slight memento of the time and trouble which you have taken in getting up this opera of 1 Martha,' in which you have performed your part with very great taste and judgment. Of course you have not been able to enact the opera with complete success, owing to your wont of the knowledge of acting business, but yon have sung the music honourably and fairly, and I am sure everyone is highly satisfied with you.” (Applause.) Sir Oraoroft here handed Miss Roeewarne the ease containing the watch. Mr H. F. Towle said: Miss Rosewarno has requested me to convoy to you her thanks for your very kind recognition of her efforts, and to say that she is very pleased to learn that those efforts, though immature and therefore defective, have met with your approbation. She is especially pleased to think that her first effort has been so successful. The music then resumed, and at its close the principals were all colled before the curtain.

The watch presented to Miss Boscwarne is a half-hunting case keyless gold watch, the hours being in ultra-marine blue enamel upon a ground work of opal, tho outer edge of the fimd finishing in email outward curves. The special design worked on the back, which was otherwise plain, consisted of the title of the opera “ Martha,” worked in blue enamel, and shaded by lines of engraving, with an enrichment of engraved scroll work. Underneath, the leading air of the opera, “Tho lost roso of summer,” was typified by a fully expanded rose with a spray or two ot leaves. Upon the inner case was tho following in-

wription:—“P esented to Miss Annie B. Kosewarne, as a mark of appreciation of her rendering of tl e rdle of prima donna in Jflotow 8 opera • Martha,’ the first opera produced by Ainatuxra in Christchurch, N.Z., 9th January, 1879.” The watch, which was enclosed in a velvet case, was supplied by Messrs Coates and Co., jewellers, Colombo street, who may fairly be congratulated upon the admirable nature of the workman-hip