SIMONSEN'S ROYAL ENGLISH AND ITALIAN OPERA COMPANY: IL TROVATORE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6062, 22 April 1881, Page 5

SIMONSEN'S ROYAL ENGLISH AND ITALIAN OPERA COMPANY: IL TROVATORE.

This opera was repeated last night, but under considerable- disadvantage. Before the curtain rose, Signor Riccardi announced that Madame Simonsen was suffering from indisposition (ah attack of hoarseness), and aaked:for ! the indulgence of the audience. The announcement being made with some emphasis, the first impression created by it was that Madame Simonsen would not appear in the opera. This was a disappointment to many for whom her performances are Jthe; principal attraction. The further effect of this impression was to reduce expectation to a very low. point, and ;an indisposition to appreciate sufficiently what might be presented.: -JYhen Madame Simonsen did did appear, ,there was an agreeable surprise, but it was\ evident that there was sufficient reason for the announce-. ment made. She seemed to be suffering from a severe cold and fatigue. There was no want of; sympathy with her, but it is at all times a .disadvantage to have one's inclination for pleasure, destroyed by the probability of disappointment. The scenain which Madame Simonsen first appeared on the stage did not reassure the audience, but as the opera progressed it was evident that her feeling of .the part, she was interpreting \vould get the,better of her cold. It proved 30. ■ In the cavatina "Taceale Notte" and Iα the scena between Leonora Di Luna and Manrico ; her voice was superior to it 3 im- , pedimeat, and siie sang so effectively as to elicit very emphatic applause. Signor Paladini as jyfanrico was in good voice. The same may be said of Signor Luisetti as Di I/Una and Signoc Riccardi as Ferrando. Miss Leonora ISimonsen played and sang the part of Azuceiia with great ability. ■ The popular, .airs of this opera—"H Balen," "A Glie\ la.Morte," "I Nostri Monte," the "Miserere ;Choru3," and the pathetic scene and duet " Salvate" in the last scene—were sung : with the best effect. There was nothing really apparent to weaken the interest in the performance except the possibility that the prima donna was little able, through indisposition, to cope with the difficulties of so arduous a rti le. This, however, was sufficient to make the audience less dezrionstrative than usual. We have already noticed in detail the first performance of this opera. The performance .last night was excellent, and Madame Simonsen, Miss L. Simonsen, Signor Luisetti, and Signor Paladini had, in compliance, with a general call at the close of the opera, to bow their acknowledgments to the audience. "The White Lady of Avenel" (La Dame Blanche), the plot founded Tipon one of Sir AValter Scott's novels, is underlined for tonight. This opera has never been performed in Auckland, and should, therefore, prove a great attraction.