THE OPERA.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4123, 8 June 1874, Page 2

THE OPERA.

—— "THE BOHEMIAN GIRL." Balf e's Cue old opera, " The Bohemian Girl '' —still one of the most popular, and a neverfailing' draw —was performed by the English Opera Company on Saturday. There was a very large attendance, the house, in fact, being crowded. It is scarcely necessary to summarise the plot of so well-known a work, but for the benefit of those who have not until now had the opportunity of becoming acquainted with opera, and who wish to make acquaintance with "The Bohemian Girl" should the opera be reproduced—as probably it will—we may state that it opens at the close of one of those wars between Austria and Poland whifih ended in the downfall of that kingdom. Th3l§J* scene is the chateau and grounds of Count Arnheim, on the Danube, near Presburg, whose retainers are preparing for the chase. As they depart, Thaddeus, a young Polish officer of noble descent, enters, escaping from the Austrians who are pursuing him. He is assailed by Devilshoof,.a gipsy, at the head of a number of those swarthy wanderers, who are about to rob Thaddeus, when he offers to join their band, is accepted, and hidden from the Austrian soldiers who are in close chase. Immediately afterwards a crowd of alarmed hunters rush in, headed by Florestein, the Count's nephew, calling for help, the Count's only daughter, a child, and her attendant having been attacked in the forest by a wild deer. Thaddeus seizes a gun, rushes out, and shoots the animal, the child at the same time receiving a slight wound on the arm by the horn of the wounded deer. The Count, returning, thanks the stranger, calls for wine, and chinks—as the beginning of the revels —to the health of the Kmperor, a toast which Thaddeus declines to pledge, throwing down his nntasted cup of wine, as well as the purse of gold given by the Count to reward the rescuer of his child. The chorus "Down with the Daring Slave" indicates what follows. Thaddeus is seized, but rescued by Devilshoof and the gipsies and escapes. An attempt is also made to bind Devilshoof, who also breaks from keepers, vowing revenge, which he accomplishes soon afterwards by stealing the child of the Count, with, which he makes his way, though pursued, to the gipsies' haunts. Twelve years are then supposed to elapse. The stolen child is the gipsy Arliue. The party of Devilshoof are then in Presburg. Florestein has been rejoicing in ;.n hotel opposite the tent of Arline, and staggeriug out falls into the hands of the party, who rob him of all his jewelry, including a medallion, with which Devilshoof disappears. While they are dividing the spoil, the Gipsy Queen suddenly appears amongst them, and commands them to restore his possessions to Florestein. This they do, but as Devilshoof has taken to the hills the medallion remains in his hands. Arline, who had been asleep in a tent close by, watched by Thaddeus—for time has worked the tender attachment of lovers between them —suddenly awakens, and relates her dream iu the famous song " I dreamt that I dwelt in marble halls." Thaddeus, in answer to Arline, tells her the cause of the wound on her arm, and is about to tell Arline her history, when as he throws, himself at her feet the Gipsy Queen interposes, and challenges the girl for "daring to aspire to the love of him who possesses the heart of the Queen'.' Arline claims Thaddeus, who cnibra&rrW'ty and, then the band being summoned, avow their mutual love in the concerted piece, " Listen, while I relate." Devilshoof and the band insist on the Queen uniting the lovers, which she does, but plans revenge for—- " The wrongs we forgive not and cannot forgot, Will the edge of our vengeance more sharply whet.'' The gipsies assemble at a fair, which Florestein and the Count visit. In the meantime, the Gipsy Queen has recovered the medallion, and, giving it as a gift to Arline, induces her to place it round her neck. It is seen by Florestein who recognises it, and at once has Arline carried before the Count, as the thief who had robbed him. While the Count is in his apartment, and still brooding over the loss of his child, he. sings, "The heart bow'd down by weight of woe," which is one of the gems of the opera. Arliue brought before him accused of the robbery, the Count discovers the wound on the arm, and recognises his long-lost child. Restored to her proper rank, Florestein presses his suit on Arline. Devilshoof and Thaddeus find thenway into the chateau to endeavour to persuade Arline to return to her gipsy life. Thaddeus singing "When other lips and other hearts." Arline reavows her love, and at the end of the trio " Through the world wilt thou fly ?" the Count, Florestein, and guests come in, while Thaddeus conceals him himself in a cabinet. The Gipsy Queen, however, enters the room veiled, warns the Count, and tells him to open the cabinet. He does so, and the fine quintette and chorus, " To shame and feeling dead," succeeds. Arline takes refuge in the arms of Thaddeus, who, challenged as an ovitcast gipsy, sings, "When the fair land of Poland was'ploughed by the hoof of the ruthless invader," and presents to the Count ins commission, which proves him to be a iolisn nobleman. The Counts scruples are overcome, and the opera closes with the trio, .Let not the soul over sorrows grieve. Miss AJice Mav performed the part ot " \rline" with herusual ability, and met with abundant applause during the evening; the " Gipsy Ouoen" was personated by Miss Lambert • Mr. Hallam played "Thaddeus;" Mr. Kainford, the " Count;" Mr. Templeton, " Devilshoof ; and Mr. Vernon, '' Florestein." Mr. Hallam's singing was very pleasing, and in " The heart bowed down," Mr. Bamford's splendid voice was heard to great_ advantage. Mr. Templeton played with spirit, and Mr. Vernon made the most of the character for which he was cast. The chorus was, as usual, excellent, and the whole performance entirely satisfactory. Tins evening, " Satanella' mil be produced. It is a remarkably fine work, and the part of the demon " Satanella," which Miss May sustains, is one of her very best. Mr. llamford, also, has been highly successful as " Aramines." Those who attend will certainly enjoy one o£ the finest treats o£ the season.