THE ENGLISH OPERA.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4118, 1 June 1874, Page 3

THE ENGLISH OPERA.

Yesterday the English Opera Company wore travelling at sea on their way from Lyttelton to Wellington, and to-night the season will open at the Theatre Royal with tho performance of Wallace’s “ Marltana." Before wo speak of the opera, it may bo an well to say a few words as to the artists. Tho company, are under the management of Mr Allen, the conductor, who brought with him to the colonies a high English reputation, and has well-sustained it. As a conductor ho is, perhaps, without a rival south of the 'equator, and ho has wielded the ‘baton during every season in which English opera has been performed in Melbourne. He has also held the post of conductor in all of those seasons of English opera which Mr Lystor and Mr Lazar have undertaken in the neighboring colonies of New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania. He is a most perfect musician, and has his band so completely under control that the lovers of music may expect a thorough treat. Miss Alice May (Mrs Allen) is, of course, the leading member of the company. She is recognised as one of the best singers who have ever appeared in the colonies. Her voice is clear - , powerful, and resonant, and wide in range. Her acting has but one fault. She throws herself so thoroughly into whatever work she has to perform that her difficulty is rather to restrain herself than otherwise. Whether in seriflus or in comic opera she is equally able, and her visit to Wellington will be valuable to those who arc interested in music, whether as a study or a pastime, from the lessons her appearances on the stage will afford. Miss E. A. Lambert may be regarded, as a Victorian artist, though, wo believe, she is not a native of that colony. She has won her way to the front ranks of singer’s with less than the usual difficulties that attend the profession, from the fine quality of her voice and her excellent understanding of stage business. Miss Florence Howe and Mrs Levison arc also well known on the musical boards of the other colonies, and will no doubt ably sustain the excellent reputation they bring with them. Mr. Templeton has not, so far as we are aware, been heard in New Zealand before the present visit of Mr. Allen’s company, but he has won golden opinions in the South. Mr. Hallam brought with him to the Colony good testimonials from Sydney and Melbourne, which ho will no doubt sustain*; while Mr. T. H. Eainford is well known throughout the Colony as a very excellent singer and a capable artist. Mr. Vernon and Mr. Lester are less known, but they are in good company; while in the chorus we recognise several ladies and gentlemen who hold a good position in connection with the English Opera under Mr. Lyster’s management in Melbourne. The leader of the orchestra (Mr. Allen conducting) is Mens. Fleury, who is most favorably known throughout New Zealand. The season opens to-night with Wallace’s favoxite work, Maritaua —in other words the story of Don Coesar de Kazan done into music. The plot is highly interesting, and the music attractive and popular, English opera had a hard struggle to establish itself on tho English boards, and the opera alluded to did not a little to bring about a recognition of the mei’it of English composers. It contains among other musical gems,' “ There is a flower that bloometh,” “Scenes that are brightest,” “In happy moments,” “I am .the King,” “ Let mo like a soldier fall,’ etc. There is no doubt that the opera will receive full justice, albeit the voyage may have been rough, and the time the artists will have for preparation will be but short. Tho. theatre itself will be found more commodious than it usually is, as considerable expense has been gone to to meet tho demands of the public for accommodation. The fx*ont row of the stalls has been converted into reserved seats under tho title of orchestra stalls, and three rows of reserved seats have been put in the pit promenade, from which an excellent view of the stage can be obtained. The acoustic properties of the theatre, moreover, ' are so excellent that the artists will be heard in all parts to the host advantage. Tho public, we learn, have subscribed freely. Every arrangement has boon made for the convenience of the patrons of the opera, and we have no doubt that the venture will be a sxxooesa.