AMUSEMENTS.

Northern Advocate, 25 August 1888, Page 4

AMUSEMENTS.

After being closed for several weeks the Opera House was opened on Wednesday evening last by the Aucklanc Amateur Opera Club, who produced Gilbert and Sullivan's ever popular opera " The Pirates of Penzance." The lioust has been crowded every evening to itt utnflJStMsapacity, giving ample proof thai the production was a complete success, -Mrs Cooper sustained the part of Mabe] and, although the part is exceedingly heavy achieved a marked success. The

olos. ''Poor Wandering One," and 'Dear Father, why leave your bed," rare taken with great precision and hewed that the fair songstress had aiefully studied her part, but in the >retty duet with Frederick "Ah leave ne not to pine," she fairly excelled her irevious efforts, and sung -with such ixcellent expression that an encore was lightly demanded. Miss Julia Knight vas allotted the important role of Ruth, md her clear sweet voice was heard to nuch advantage. Her intonation, too, ivas extremely clear and distinct. Her jest number was undoubtedly the solo 'When Frederick was a little boy," for which she received a well merited encore. Miss Buckland as Edith did not have a very heavy part to take, and the same may be said of Miss Durrieu as Kate, but what little there was was creditably performed. Miss Buckland has a particularly sweet voice, but as yet it is not sufficiently strong for operatic singing. Amongst the gentlemen, Mr Chambers must be awarded first honours for his excellent impersonation of Major General Stanley. His acting was exceptionally good, and his singing faultless. Mr Edwards as Frederick was quite a host in himself. His part was rjerhaps the heaviest of the soloists, and Mr Edwards did it full justice. He sang with great taste and finish and was continually encored. The most pleasing of his solos " Oh, is there not one maiden fair," in which his fine tenor voice was heard to perfection. In the duet with Mabel he again sung with such pathos and expression that a repetition was demanded. Mr Charter as the Pirate King, had been lately suffering from indisposition, and was not therefore in as good voice as might have been wished. "I am a Pirate King" was, however. sung well, and the other music allotted to him was successfully performed. Mr Hamerton was particularly good as the Sergeant of Police, and earned well merited encores in the two songs " When the foeman bares his steel," and " When a felon's not engaged." The choruses in each case were attacked with vigour and precision, and Herr Carl Schmitt is to bo congratulated on having worked the performers up to a state of thorough proficienoy. The new scenery had bee prepared by Mr W. Thornton, to whom great praise is due. Great credit is also due to the energetic manager, Mr J. B. Gilfillan, who had spared neither pains nor time to see that everything in connection with the business arrangements were satisfactorily carried out. The Opera House is to be openend for a short season again on Monday next. The talented Company which, under the auspices of Messrs Brough and Boucicault, will make their first appearance in Auckland on Monday, have announced as their opening piece " Hans, the Boatman," a dramatic composition which is specially illustrative of that " one touch of Nature that makes the whole world kin." Mr Arnold, the leading artist of the Company, comes with a reputation almost world- wide, and it is said tnat in Hans he has a part which exactly suits the bent of his genius. He has also able supporters in a very intelligent child actor who personates his baby boy Fritz, Miss Pattie Brown, who made a specialty of a very difficult lady's part, and a noble dog " Nord," who is by no means the least importan personge of combination. The other members are well spoken of by the Southern press, and we fully expect the Company will have an excellent season, I advise those coming to town to be sure and not miss an opportunity of hearing, a really first-class production.