THE OPERA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume II, Issue 341, 15 December 1864, Page 5

THE OPERA.

" Pausx" is ono of the best operas givon by the Lyster Company, aud wo regret there was not a crowded house on Tuesday. Everyone oil tlie htago and in tho orchestra seem to have ont-ered fully into the merits of their parts; even the chorus-singers apparently take a delight in " Faust." We do not praise for the mere sake of praising ; indeed, wo have had occasions of pointing out shortcomings, and we shall be ready to do bo again should we findit neceEs? ry.

Therefore, -when oxl* musical car, and otrr knowlodge of the opera and everything con tin tod with it, compel us to state that the execution of " Faust" by the Lyster Company would have satisfied even Gounod himself, must in-? be accepted as Mattering praise; and, mor ■ • er, when we recollcct the small appliances 111evliave at the Prince of "Wales' Theatre. v. >• are astonished that tlieir pcrfortnnncc of '■ r.-mst" is even more sueeessl'ul that of " i 'on Giovanni." Mr. Wharton's singing and acting of A : ientirie does him groat credit, and the general excellence of his performance in the dying scene must be acknowledged as a masterpiece. Mr. Wliarton sang and acted like a true artist from beginning to end. Tjike Madame JCseott, who on this occasion sang the music of Marguerite with great feeling, there was no mistaking the clear and definite character of her declamation, or the legitimate reading, for here, as indeed throughout tiie opera, she kept closely to the composer's notation, never for a moment being led iwny iuto meretricious ornament. In the most trying—the ensket scene—MadameEscott showed an amount of intelligence and dramatic i expression which is as rare as it is interesting, and she received the warmest acknowledgment [ from all evidently delighted audience. The music of Mcpbisto"docs not altogether lie within Mr. Lyster's register, his voice being a pure 'baritone; this, however, is not his fault. He gave to the role his finest efforts, and the duct between Faust and Mephisto, and the terze.tto. were declaimed so vociferously that they might have been heard—if' not quite at Bologna, as Kossini wrote of Tamburini —his voice was heard nil over the house with delightful cfl'ect. When ive recollect that Mr. Lvsier laboured under (lie disadvantage of the music not being suited to his voice, anil the manner in which lie gave it, the greatest praise ia due to him. 2foi .so with Mr. Squires. The music of "Paast" suits his voice admirably, and lie pleased us much more than in any other opera in whicli we have heard him. Even his J'aJ.-dlo was more pleasing 011 this occasion. It is ifi the employment of the head voice, indeed, that Mr. Squifesof'ten produces the best effects. The transformation scene was exceedingly well done. Ihe poor late Meyerbeer would have been delighted at such a piece of scenic effort. Mr. Kitts, as Wagner, did remarkably well, and produced a very good impression, while Miss ifodson snug with brilliancy and finish throughout. Her performance of the -i oh: of Siebel, "musically speaking, was most admirable. Great praise is also due to the 1 chorus-singers for their careful singing of the choruses, especially in the Yalse and Chorus of Soldiers, which arc brilliant, sparkling, majestic, and new; and if occasional} - Meyerbeerist, they are nevertheless Gounod's own. In conclusion, we must not forget mentioning the truly magnificent miniature l and. 'I he lovi tnsiwb/e, the pure intonation, and tlic unanimity were preserved throughout the performance, is nothing less than wonderful. We twice mistook the fiute for an oboe,-, and had we net been aware that Mr. . Lodcr docs not possess an ohoc in his orchestra, we would certainly lmve beeu satisfied that the low notes as produced by Mr. Hoyal, were no others than those of an oboe, the imitation being so good. If the arrangement of " Faust" for the Lj'ster orchestra is by Mr. Lodcr —then we say—" Mr. Loder, you have done it welt."