THE OPERA.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4119, 2 June 1874, Page 2

THE OPERA.

A season of English Opera, with Miss Alice May as prima donna, cannot but be a success. So it has proved in all the Colonies she has yet visited. She is, herself, so'capable an artist that whatever she undertakes must bo done well, and she possesses a ylamouri of genius which infects all with whom she is associated, and infuses her own spirit, her excellence of perfection, her taste, and her care in all who are associated with her. This was very noticeable in the excellence "with which the favorite opera of “ Haritana ” was produced last night. Though the company had only just landed, and there was barely time to get the stage in order, and though the prima donna herself was laboring under a cold which affected her somewhat painfully at times, no lover of opera could have desired a more perfect and painstaking rendering of the moat popular of English operas. The house, wo arc happy to say, was well filled. Those uncomfortable corners of the dress-circ

from which nobody can sec anything on the stage were, as usual, not patronised ; but the dress circle proper, the reserved seats where the stalls used to be, and the improvised benches in the promenade of the pit, were all occupied. This, we hope, augurs well for the season, for it is not the practice of this Opera Company to put forward their best wine first. The care with which it is intended to produce the numerous openis in the repertoire of the company was made evident in the opening scene. The chorus is very strong, both in male and female voices j, it lias been well chilled, and the excellent style in which it led off with “ Sing, pretty Maiden, sing,” gave good promise of what it is capable of doing ; . but the pretty castlnet dance would not have ' been, introduced if the manager had been care- I less of details. “Montana” (Miss Alice May) I entered so unobtrusively that her fine voice was ringing through the house in the romunza “It was a knight of princely mien,” before the audience realised that the priuia donna was before them. A somewhat chilling reception did not daunt the fair singer, and long before the close of the opera she had firmly ingratiated herself in the good opinion of a Wellington audience. Wc have no intention of following in the wake of those numerous critics who have already written of the quality of Miss May’s voice, its range, power, tone, &c., or of rehearsing critically the qualities of the fine organ Miss Lambert possesses ; or of analysing how low Mr. Rainford can descend in the musical scale ; or how high Mr. Haliam or Mr. Templeton can rise. These things have been done over and over again. Their professional abilities are recognised, and our duty is limited to sayings that in “ Maritaua” last night they gave excellent proof of their qualities. The gems of the opera are well known. The Angelas, which has always an impressive effect, was well sung by the chorus. Their “Pretty Gitana” was also rendered in good time, and with appropriate spirit, Maritana’s interpretations of the fortunes of those who appealed to her skill in fortune-telling, being very amusingly given. The “Harp in the Air,” was very sweetly sung, while “Scenes that are Brightest,” brought on for Miss May an irresistible encore. The attractive part of “Lazarillo” was played by Miss Lambert, who looked the very handsome boy the page •of Lon Oiesar is supposed to be, and who sang with a fine, young, fresh voice, which is capable of great things, and will grow In favor the more it is heard. She sang “ Alas, Those Chimes,” with much feeling, and particularly distinguished herself in the duets with Maritana. As the King, Mr. Templeton had comparatively a small part to play, but he gave proof that he possesses a fine flexible voice, with a good stage appearance. Mr. Haliam was well fitted in the part of Lon Crcsar, so far as the music went, and lie did full justice to himself in the gems which fall to his share. Mr. Rainford, as Lon Jose, had also a fine opportunity of distinguishing himself, ami though he still suffers from a pecu- ' liar mannerism, and a considerable disregard for the literal accuracy of his task, nothing '

could prevent his entire success in his solos, “In Happiest Moments,” Sec, Mr Vernon deserves a special word of praise for the comical and careful way in which he played the Marquis. Sir. Allen must be complimented for the care with which he conducted, and Mens, Fleury and the band on the very skilful way in which they responded. In the early part of the evening l , not knowing the fine acoustic properties of the hall, they were a trifle too loud for the vocalists; but this was soon perceived and remedied. This evening “The Lily of Kiliarney” will be presented.