SIMONSEN'S ROYAL ENGLISH AND ITALIAN OPERA COMPANY "UN BALLO IN MASCHERA."

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6065, 26 April 1881, Page 5

SIMONSEN'S ROYAL ENGLISH AND ITALIAN OPERA COMPANY "UN BALLO IN MASCHERA."

The performance of this opera last night drew one of the largest houses of the season. It deserved the compliment,' for, although Mr. and Madame Simonsen. and their company have given to the public many firstclass performances, they have not surpassed, they have scarcely equalled, the standard they attained last night. The cast shows that the- performance embraced the highest talentof thecompany, viz.:—Riccardo (tenor), Signor Paladini; Renato (baritone), Signor Luisetti; Adelia (soprano), MadameSimonsen; Ulrica-the. Sorceress,; contralto (Miss Carrie Godfrey) : Edgar,, soprano (Miss • Martina Siinonsen) ; Samuel; basso (Signor Riccardi) ; Totnasso, ' basso (Mr. St. Clair) ; Silvauo. basso (Mr. Wentworth). This opera would appear to occupy, the middle place between Verdi's earlier and- later compositions,;-:It was performed in London in 1861,; following "Trovatore" and ."Traviata," and preceding "Joan of. Arc ".and " Aida.'" The en- • deavour, thoroughly successful in this case, to. produce the effect of. dramatic- colloquy and dialogue by musical phrases,,: is. apparent- from the first act to., the last. •There ■> is a'i realisms -in construction of the plot which > is: i very: opposite to ;the; romanticism of '!Trovatore "■ or the the sentimentalism of .Traviata. Count Ricardo lias fallen in love with the wife of his secretary Renato, who reciprocates the pas 1 , sion. She igoes to . the veave. of. a sorceress -'.'in the malefactors'fieJd" for an herb that will preserve her against -her guilty passion. Riccardo,: by Edgar his page.v who is somewhat mischievous, goes .to the cave, and mocks.'the sorceress, who tells him he .will be. assassinated by the first haud he grasps:inifriendship. In scorn of the prediction he grasps the hand of Renato, who is as yet thoroughly loyal. Adelia: and Riccardo meet at night to take farewell of; each other. .Renato goes to the spot to warn Riceardo against the. conspirators Tomaso and Samuel; who seek his life. The conspirators draw their . swords: upon Reuato,. his wife .interposes for his protection, and becomes unveiled, thus discovering the apparent .intrigue. Another, farewell meeting at a masked ball between Adelia and -Riccardo is arranged. The paste diselosedthe dress of his master, who is stabbed by Renato while Adelia. is: imploring: him to fly for safety. • Signor .Paladini was in excellent voice. He had not previously sung so effectively since he was in Auckland with Guadgnini's com: pany. In the scena "La . Rivedra nell estasi'Vhe was loudly applauded. In the ■duets, trios, quartettes, and quintettes,. in. which this , opera abounds, the excellence.of his singing was conspicuous.. But r the greatest amount of public favour appeared to be bestowed on the really brilliant performance of Miss Martina Simonsen. Her sin"ing< of the part of the romanza '_' ChMa profetica," and the whole of • the scene in which Edgar took part was enthusiastically applauded. In the last act the manner, in Which the .scene .'!So che ; tu. sai between Edgar and, Renato was sung and I acted had the effect; and -the lady. iad to repeat this brilliant-piece of vocalisation in response to an enthusiastic encore. A similar compliment was paid to Signor Paladini and to Miss Martina; Simonsen. in the first act. One of the finest things, in,the performance of last night was, the L duet jetween Tomaso and Samuel— (bassi; Siguor , Riccardi arid Mr. St. Clair)—upon, the discovery of : Adelia to her husband in the second act. Another admirable performance was the trio—Luisetti, Riccardi, ■■, and St. Clair—which commences the third: act. The quintette "Escherzo,. ode fbllia" in tne first act the quartette in the second act "W se di notte," and the .quintette "Di .che fnlgor," were, all magnificently rendered. Madame Simonseu as Adelia, gave that dramatic intensity to the character whicli it is so capable of receiving.-: -She was also in excellent/voice, and sang witli her usual completeness both as regards power and expression.--Whenthe curtain upon the termination of the opera was again raised, in- compliance with an emphitic call for the performers, the stage was literally strewn with bouquets. Miss Martina Simonsen seemed well pleased with her success. She. "hit the audience completely. She appears to have a special taste for light and ■ elegant buffo parts. TVe believe that we shall have the'opportunity of hearing this opera Nothing could very well surpass the cracc, vivacity, and piquancy of tiifa's singing and acting last night. _If she takes a benefit she should appear as kdgar. This evening "Der Freischutz" will be produced upon a scale never attempted m Auckland before. The incantation scene will have special scenery and effects. We have been informed that a section of the Fire Brigade has been engaged as a security against any possible alarm that might arise from the. unusual display of demoniacal pyrotechny. This week we. are to have a scries of grand operas,"Faust" following "■ijer Freischutz" almost immediately.