THE OPERA HOUSE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8680, 24 September 1891, Page 5

THE OPERA HOUSE.

"THE PRINCESS IDA."

The third performance of " The Princess Ida " was the most successful that has yofc taken place, both from a financial and performer's point of view. Aucklandera are somewhat timid as regards a first performance, and wait to see whether the general public •'catch on." .Nothing succeeds like success, and the opera is growing in popularity with the music-loving and amusement * seeking section of the community. Owing to the growing demand lor reserved seats, the committee of management of the Amateur Opera Club met yesterday, and decided owing to the pronounced success of the "Princess Ida," to extend the season to Wednesday of next week. The ticket offices were opened last evening before seven, and at a quarter-past seven it was found necessary to rofuse any more for the stalls, and by eight o'clock, when the performance commenced, fully -00 to 300 persons had been turned away. The Opera House was crowded by our leading citizens, and the scene on the opening of the performance was a bril liant one. In the first act, the solo by Air. T. M. Jackson (Hilarion), "Ida wag a Twelvemonth Old," was greatly applauded. He was in excellent voice. Mr. Ediniston acquitted himself fairly well as Hildebrand, though tho part is scarcely one which suits him. The trio, "We Are Warriors Three," by Messrs. .Worrall, Pullan, and Eady (Arae, Ouron, and Scynthius), went remarkably well. . Mr. Archdale Taylor (Oama), on his advent on tho stage, received an ovation, and in his rendering of tho song "If You Give Me Your Attention 1 Will Tell You What I Am," had to submit to an enthusiastic encore, and repeated the last verse. The finale chorus—"The Rum-turn-tum of the Military Brum''—to tho first act went with vim and spirit. The second act opened with an artistic grouping of "the sweet girl graduates." Mrs. Cooper (Princess Ida) rendered the aria, "Oh, Goddess Wise," very effectively, and also recited the succeeding lengthy oration to the girl students in a manner which se curecl ,ier hearty plaudits. Miss lieeve (Lady Blanche) achieved one of the triumP hs of the evening in hor son", "Come, Mighty Must," her acting throughout the ev en ' n l» being as good as her singing. In resp ollse to an inevitable encore she contented herself with bowing her acknowledgement; The succeeding trios by Messrs. T. M. Jackson, G. M. Roid, and C. Chambers. " Gently, Gently," and "I'm a Maiden Cold and Stately," were both warmly e ncor as was also Mr. Rcid in the " Kiss in S Song. Miss Maud Harper received 11 similar honour in her song, "The Ap° a , ... 0 Lady." Miss Warren (Melissa) Miss Reeve, in the duet, "Sing, Hoi^y"^with minuet, had to respond to '• Mr. T. M. Jackson in the song, WJ} 01 Thou Hast Chained Must Bear Hi 8 Chain, was greatly applauded. " The Amazon March " had to be repeated, and t;' ie leatix were most effective. Mrs. Coopers best effort was the song, "I Bu,' 6 VP OII a Rock." Mr. Tayler was simply immense in ; the patter song, " Wheneor * fepoke Sarcastic Joke," and had to resP on " to a .vociferous encore, repeating t' 10 i as verse. Tho opera will be repeated tonight, and bids fair to be a great success, having hit the popular taste.