THE OPERA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LIII, Issue 5891, 13 January 1880, Page 5

THE OPERA.

" Tln Bazlo is Masohbba,”

It is now about fifteen years since Mr Lyster, the enterprising impressario first gave the residents of Christchurch the opportunity of hearing for the first time in the City of the Plains the masterpieces of operatic composers, rendered by such artistes as Lucy Bsoott, Georgia Hodson, Mdme Durand, Squires, and the rest, who were at that time stars in the professional firmament, and many of our readers can look back with pleasure to the very successful season with' which Mr Lyster was rewarded- for his enterprise. During the interval which has elapsed, we have had repeated visits of both Italian and English Opera Companies, of various degrees of excellence, buttaken as a whole the performance of “ Un Ballo in Maschera ” last evening equalled, if it did not surpass, anything that we have heard here. The plot of the opera in os follows Count Ricardo (Signor Coy), loves Adelia (Signora Coy), the wife of his friend and secretary, Renato (Mr G. Verdi). Ricardo’s life being imperilled by conspirators, Renato warns him, but ho loughs at the precaution, and goes in disguise to hoar his fate predicted by a sorceress. Whilst with her, he overhears Adelia apply for a cure for her guilty love. Ulrica (Signora Venosto) indicates an herb that grows in a certain wild locality. Adelia goes thither followed by Ricardo. Ulrica foretells his assassination by tho next person who takes his hand, who proves to bo Renato, and who surprises Adeha in tho malefactors’ field searching for the herb, and Ricardo who had followed her and was declaring his love. Being tracked by conspirators Renato urges Ricardo to fly. Ho consents on Renato promising to conduct the veiled lady to the city without seeking to discover her secret. The conspirators rush in, and taunting the lady, Renato defending her, they attack him, she

interposes, and Kenato discovers, to his,horror, that she is hia, wife. : In revenge lie, joins the band, and compels her to draw lots an to who shall assassinate Ricardo. The lot falls on Renato, who effect? hia purpose at a masked ball, where, he surprises Ricardo bidding adieu to, his wife. Ricardo dies declaring the innocence of Adclia, leaving Renato to feel the papgs of remorse at his crime. _ The opera was placed on the stage in that thoroughly good stylo, as to costumes, scenery and , other appointments, for which Mr Ljster’s name is a guarantee. Tho band, 1 consisting of 16 performers, and chorus, numbering some 30 well trained voices, were under the able baton of big. Telman, whoso ability ns a maestro is well-known. The preludio of Act 1, giving, as it does, ft foretaste of what was to come was given with precision, and served to introduce the opening chorus with Hamuello (Signor Fa - , as) and lomaso (Mr Templeton) con-pirators. Signor Coy was greeted with considerable warmth after his seven years’absence, which must have been gratifying to him, as showing that ho was not forgotten. His voice still . retains all the sweetness, for which it was remarkable, and not only in his solos, but also in the concerted music was heard to considerable advantage. He was particularly happy in his rendering of the Roman za u La rivedrk nell’estasi,” and in the several duets with Adelia. His acting-was thoroughly appropriate, and in keeping with the part*, and this was exemplified in the scenes with Act 2, Kenato and Adelia Act 3, and in the masquerade scone, Act, 5.

Of Signora Venosta, an establised favourite in Christchurch, suffice it to say, that her temporary retirement from the stage, has only tended to develop fresh artistic beauties and finished style. Unfortunately, she had not a part sufficient to gratify her numerous admirers, who had to be content with her admirable rendering of the grand invocation scena, and the Mozartian aria “ Della Citta,” both of which were given in capital style. Signora Coy received an enthusiastic rooeption, and we were charmed to find that neither in appearance nor voice has time succeeded in making an impression. The. part of Adelia requires an actress of great emotional powers, as well as a voice of great flexibility and compass, and it is but justice to say that these requirements were fulfilled to the satisfaction of all present. From the time of her appearance in the Gipsy's hut, to the finale, she had the audience completely with her, and we can only mention a few of the numbers which were so delightfully given. They were the scena and aria “Ecco I’orrida,” and' subsequent duet with Eieardo, which puts one so much in mind of “Trnviata.” The trio with Bicardo and Benato, and the concerted piece with the conspirators ; also, the grand duet in Act 4 when her husband upbraids her for being unfaithful, and the scene where she is compelled to draw the lot containing the name of the assassin of Bicardo. Mr Verdi created a most favourable impression from the first, but it was reserved for his magnificent rendering of the aria “Eri tu” to bringdown the house with most enthusiastic applause. He has a commanding appearance, and a voice of rare compass and quality, and the finished manner in which ho enunciated the recitatives created an impression that will not easily be forgotten. He is also an accomplished actor, reminding one very much of Delle Sedie, who is said to have created the part of Benato, and there is not the slightest doubt but that he will be an immense favourite. In the scene where Adelia discovers herself to his astonished gaze, and also when the name of the assassin is pronouned by Tomaso, he showed to considerable advantage, and throughout the opera the concerted music belonging to his partwas most faithfully given. We have reserved for the last the favourite of the evening, Mdme Bose Hersee, whose debut in Christchurch will long he remembered by those who had the good fortune to be present. Of attractive appearance and fascinating manners, and having complete control of an exquisite voice, well trained and properly kept in bounds, she succeeded in taking the house by storm. In “ Volta la terrea” she displayed great taste, and was content to abide by the composer’s text, and in the concerted pieces her voice was heard to advantage ; but when, in act 5, she gave the canzone ' “Saper vbireste” in a style never surpassed in this city, the audience evinced their enthusiasm by vociferous applause and showei’s of bouquets. She is certain to become here as she has done everywhere else, a great favourite, and is undoubtedly a very valuable member of the company. The minor parts of Tomaso (Mr Templeton), Samuello (Signor Favas), and Salvano (Mr Levison) were given accurately, and we must not omit to say the chorus is by far the best that we have heard for a long time. The orchestra was at .times very uneven, noticeably in the duet “F on sal tu,” the scena “ Eri tu,” when the clarionet arpeggios preponderated over the flute, and in the Mazurka in Act 5, where the first violin was decidedly out of tune. In the unavoidable absence of Mr Lyster, his place is ably filled by Mr George Musgrove, the general management being confided to Mr J. Jt*. Macdonald, whose name is known to many here as the manager of Mr Bignold’s troupe. To both of those gentlemen is due in a great measure the success of the opening night. This evening Balfe’s popular opera “ The Bohemian Giri,” is announced, in which Mr Armes Beaumont will make his first appearance.