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New Zealander, Volume XXI, Issue 2278, 18 November 1864, Page 5

THE OPERA COMPANY.

The reproach cannot rest on Auckland that her citizen* do not know how to appreciate to the fullest artistic excellence connected with the Lyric Drama. The attendance at the Opera last evening was such as must hive afforded the highest gratification to the managers of the undertaking, as well as to the individual member* of the company now performing. His Excellency Sir George Grey, K.C.8., General Sir Duncan A. Cameron, K.C.8., and a large number of military and naval officers of the highest rank were in attendance. On the Governor’s entrance, the band struck up the National Anthem. In the stalls were also a bevy of fair ladies, and numerous influential gentlemen. The amphitheatre was more crowded than it has hitherto been by a fashionable company, and the remaining portions of the Hall were closely filled. The Opera placed before this brilliant assemblage was one of Donizetti’s most admired, if not one of his grandest productions, that of “ Lucia di Lammermoor.” We regret that we are unable to place before our readers an extended critique upon the performance ; this we purpos* doing in our next. The characters represented last evening were as follows:—Edgardo, by Mr. Henry Squires; Enrico, by Mr. Henry Wharton; Arturo, by Mr. Frank Trevor; Raimondo, by Mr. J. E. Kitts; Normando, by Mr. Baker; Lisa, by Miss Ada King ; Lucia, by Mdtne. Lucy Escott. The rendering the various characters was perfection itself. The chief interest, however, centred in the two principals, Lucia and Edgardo, and of their performance it may be said that it was characterised by the purest ■pathos and the most thrilling expression. The applause with which they were greeted actually shook the building. A greater success could not have attended the Opera Company. The piece selected for performance this evening is Balfe’s romantic opera, “ Rose of Castile.”