SIMONSEN'S ROYAL ENGLISH AND ITALIAN OPERA COMPANY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6053, 12 April 1881, Page 5

SIMONSEN'S ROYAL ENGLISH AND ITALIAN OPERA COMPANY.

"IL TROVATORE." The performance of this opera drew a large and fashionable audience to the theatre last night. There was the additional attraction of two first appearances, Miss Leonora Simonsen as Azucena, and SignorLuisetti as the Count di Luna. This work of Verdi has gained its place in the list of grand operas, by the sustained strength of its dramatic action and its combination of tragic and romantic denouement no less than by the breadth of musical effect which it displays. Speaking of it as a drama, there is not a weak character in it. Di Luna, Manrico, Ferrando, Leonora, Azucena, are all embodiments of great individual forces. Tiie music is the production of its illustrious composer while in the zenith of his reputation, and before the change in his style, which is represented in some of his later work. A long line of illustrious artists have given almost traditional personality to Leonora, which part was magnificently played and sung by Madame Fanny Simonsen last night. Signor Paladini was in fine voice. He was on several occasions not only loudly applauded, but honoured with other acknowledgments of his success. The whole of the scenes between Leonora and Manrico were remarkable for vigour and. perfect musical interpretation. How greatly the proficiency and excellence of the orchestra contributed to this result it were needless to state. Signor Riccardi's part did not make any great demand upon his fine round voice. He was applauded upon his singing the romanza for tho first act, and the admirable acting and singing in the third act where Ferrando repels the supplications of Azucena. As to Miss Leonora Simonsen's Azucena, it was a fine, performance, but not after the type to which we have been accustomed. The gipsy is usually represented of stalwart physical vigour, and the compass of her contralto voice is regarded as the measure of her intellectual power. In Miss Simonsen's representation of the part, we look in vain for the physical; prowess of : such artistes as it is traditionally associated with". But she has a rich contralto voice. Its modulations are precisely marked, and as an executante her reading and general style are uniformly clear and intelligible. Her voice, we should think, is as yet short of mature power, but her fine training arid culture are conspicuous. For the lack of physical vigour, she is yet very young, she compensates by a feminine tenacity of purpose. Her singing and acting in the camp scene, where she is hurried off in chains, were full of resource, and this strong situation was loudly applauded. Azucena, although a special part of the highest distinction, does not afford the opportunities that are presented by other contralto parts for free interpretation, or for the display of individual. peculiarities. It is modelled upon a • somewhat rigid pattern, and its effect depends upon the completeness of the particular typo. We felt the greatest interestin this performance last night, because of the fine training which it denotes, no less than the great promise of excellence which it gave. Signor Luisetti, who appeared for the first time in Auckland, has a robust tenor voice, which goes down into the lower register, not resonant, but capable of great tonic tension and vigorous expression. He has also a fine presence, and a pronounced histrionic manner. His undoubtedly a success, and it was the more complete because there was no faltering to be observed. For ourselves, we have a great opinion of Signor Luisetti's abilities. There was an occasional erudeness of style, but it allied itself with the vigour of the performance and did not mar the general result. The opera, as a whole, was a very great success. At its close there was a loud call for the performers. When the curtain was raised the stage was almost covered with bouquets, and Madame Simonsen, Miss L. Simonsen, Signor Palladini, and Signor Luisetti bowed their acknowledgments to the audience. "The Hermit's Bell"will be produced to-night.