ABBOTT'S OPERA HOUSE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7977, 17 June 1887, Page 5

ABBOTT'S OPERA HOUSE.

PATIENCE.

The management of the triumvirate Williamson, Musgrove, and Garner, withdrew tbe successful opera of lolauthe last night at the Opera House, to make room for the reproduction of "Patience." This opera ia the criterion by which all the operas of Gilbert and Sullivan are judged in regard to music and effect. It is in fact the gem production of tbe versatile author and composer, its assthetic dressing giving it extra piquancy. It is needless to say that it was staged admirably. The opening scene, the exterior of Caatle Bunthorne, was beautiful in finish and in detail, and the grouping of the twenty love sick maidens was highly artistic, forming a most effective opeaing. It is hardly necessary that we should go through the outlines of such a well - known opera, the music of which is familiar to everyone, and the characters life realities. There are peculiarities, however, about this revival which entitle it to special notice, and the principal is that one of the leading characters, Lady Jane (Mies Barnett) is the lady for whom the part was written by the distinguished collaborateurs. The cast was as iollows :—Colonel CaUerley, Mr. T. Grundy ; Major Murgatroyd, Mr. Albert Brennir ; Lieutenant the Duke of Dunstable, Mr. YV. H. Woodfield (offiuers of Dragoon Guards) ; Reginald Buuthorne, a fleahly poet, Mr. Howard Vernon; Archibald Urosvenor, an idyllic poet, Mr. P. Ridsdale ; the Solicitor, Mr. YV. Ford; Patience, a dairymaid, Miss Elsa May ; Lady Jane, Miss Alice Jiarnett (her original character, performed by her over 400 nights at the Savoy Theatre) ; Lady Augela, Miss Ida Oaborne ; Lady Saphir, Mies Kattie Potter; Lady Klla, Miss Ida Walker (rapturous maidens). Although there are numerous changes since the opera was previously performed in Auckland the prinoipal features remain, and in many cases where there are changes tbere are improvements. Mr. Vernon appears in the character which he has made throughout the colonies—Bunthorne—with all his pristine freshness. It is a creation which will not be excelled, and is the character in which he revels. Last night he was sustained by Mies Barnett as Lady Jane, and the combination was superb. The opening scene created a very favourable impression, and the love-sick maidens had great sympathy, but the enthusiasm opened with the chorus of dragoons. "The Soldiers of Our Queeu," led by Mr. Brennir, and the patter song "A Heavy Dragoon," sung by Mr, Grundy, were given with a good deal of force and expression. As usual, the enthusiasm rose on the entrance of Mr. Vernon, followed by a train of love-sick maidens and watohed by the dragoons. The chorus of dragoons, "Wow, Is Not Thin Ridiculous," is a fine number in this portion of tho opera, and the interjections of the love-eick maids and the crafty Bunthorne make it justly one of the finest passages of the opera, the musical combinations being unique in composition and artistic in rendition. Mr. Vernon'a song, " Oh, Hollow, Hollow," and the Colonel's song, "When I First Put this Uniform on," revived recollections, and repeated the successes of former triumphs. The duet between Angela and Patience was full of piquancy, and the duet between Patience and Grosvenor is one of the features, for Mr. Ridedale's tine baritone voice chords- admirably witt Miss Elsa May's rich soprano, and " Pritheh Pretty Maiden " will, we are sure, stand oue in the memories of those present laet night as a great feature in this performance. The sestette, "I Hear the Soft Note of the Echoing Voice " is also a favourite number, and the grouping on the stage was exquisite. The ensemble and finale at the close of the first act was rich and harmonious, and in answer to a prolonged call, the whole of the principals had to appear. The opening scene in the second act is a work of art. The beautiful scenery in tho background is well sustained in the front, and the centre figure, " Lady Jane " —massive and grand—is perfectly in keeping. Miea Barnett, in the role of Lady Jane, simply surpasses her previous impersonations. She is perfectly at home, of course, in the part which was created for her, and nothing could be more grotesque, and withal more musical, than her recitative, "Sad is that Woman," and the quaint soog, "Silvered ia the Raven Hair" Miss Barnett's beautiful voice gave great expression to these lines, conveying into them a spirit of humour mixed with pathos which cannot be described. Indeed Lady Jane was before the audience, and the fact was recognised, and in the duet with Bunthorue, " Sing Hey to You " she certainly surpassed anything in which she has pravieusly appeared in Auckland, and vociferous applause followed this remarkable duet. The audience, not content with one encore, demanded a second, aud would have had a third. We have not so far said much about Miss Elsa May, the central figuro of the opera " Patience." Wo have not hitherto seen this pretty and sprightly young lady to better advantage. She thoroughly identified herself with the character and sang the numbers allotted to her with excellent effect, but the selection which, to our minds, and apparently to that of the audience, in which she achieved her triumph, was the ballad, "Love Is a Plaintive Song." The applause wne overwhelming, and an encore had to be responded to. Mr. Ridsdale on this occasion fully sustained his high reputation, his fine baritone voice and good stage appenranco giving eclat to his role. His principal feature was the "Silver Churn," a delicious musical jingle, of which he made the most. Mr. Woodfield as the Duke sang effectively, and altogether those who went to see Patience last night had, in regard to scenic display and musical excellence, a treat such as cannot be expected at frequent intervals. The opera will be repeated to night and to-morrow night, and will then be withdrawn to make room for the Pirates of Penzance.