THE STANTON OPERA COMPANY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CVI, Issue 12559, 22 July 1901, Page 5

THE STANTON OPERA COMPANY.

"GHtOFLE GIROFLA," Tie matinee performance of "Girofle Girofla," on Saturday afternoon, again attracted an exceptional house, the theatre being filled to the doors. The pretty opera went with plenty of life and briskness, and was so well received that Mr Hallam announced that still one more popular price matinee would 1 be given, on Tuesday afternoon, and the farewell performance of the company will be given the same night. " SAID PASHA." On. Saturday ,night a fairly large audience assembled to witness the production of StahTs oriental operatic, conceit,. " Said Pasha." The piece is well named') for it could certainly hardly be classified ■'as either light opera or musical' comedy. Still, there is plenty of scope for both amusing situations andi for the introduction of a number of excellent musical selections, and the performance' rippled merrily through. Miss Stanton's principal numbers were a couple of pretty songs, which/she gave with, considerable grace, and which were both encored. She was also heard! to great advantage in several of the excellent little bits of concerted music with which the piec9 is graced. The parb was, however, somewhat slighter than she has so far been playing, and there was not the opportunity offered for the display of the better qualities of her voice. Mr Hallam, who was cast as a Mexican nobleman, sang the music falling to his share most acceptably, his principal number being the ever-green " Funiculi-Funicula," Mr Jean, de Lacy made his first appearance of the season in the title role, and though not overworked in the character, he was responsible for work which suggests an ability for better parts. Mr George Kunkel and Mr C. Van Dyne upheld the comic corner admirably, the former being trebly encored for a humorous parody on De Koven's well-known ballad ■■" 0, Promise Me." Mr George Lyding, as Hassen Bey, sang his allotted music nicely, and again emphasised his all-round ability as a leading man. Miss Nilsson made an excellent Bajah _ <Sajah, more particularly in view of her having had to take up the part for Miss Clara Wisdom at very short notice. The' minor parts were evenly cast, and the performance generally was satisfactory. To-night "The Fencing Master" will be produced, and this is stated to be musically the prettiest piece in the company's repertoire.