THE OPERA.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4135, 22 June 1874, Page 2

THE OPERA.

LA SONXA.MBULA Was repeated on Saturday evening to a very good house, although the weather still continued most unpropitious. The whole of the artists engaged were in excellent voice, and the opera was performed to the entire satisfaction of all who were present. It was followed by the very amusing trifle, COX AND BOX, in which Mr. Templeton played, with great success, the grumbling hatter, and Ml - . Vernon the ill-used printer working on a morning newspaper. Both entered thoroughly into the humor of the thing; and their efforts were able seconded by Mr. Levison, whose Mr. or Major Bouncer, the owner of the double-let apartment, was most amusing. The laughter the piece occasioned was genuine. We are glad to learn that arrangements have been made through which the stay of the company will be prolonged for a week, during which more than one novelty will be produced. This evening Weber's grand opera of dek FKEiscnurz will be presented. The story turns upon " the seven fatal bullets" and their use, which Zamiel (Mr. Levison) is always willing to aid a forester to obtain in exchange for his soul. Six of these bullets will strike and kill any living object at

which they are aimed, but the seventh takes another course, and brings about the nun or the death of the unfortunate fellow who has had recourse to the aid of the infernal powers. Max (Mr. Hallam), an unlucky forester, low and altogether out of spirits, is tempted by Caspar, a reckless comrade, who has already sold himself, to visit the Wolf's Glen at midnight, and call on Zamiel. Persuaded by Caspar (Mr. Rainford), and warmed with wine, Max fires Caspar's gun, and brings down an eagle with a magic bullet, and resolves to seek Zamiel for a supply of such excellent balls— Caspar's interest in the visit of Max to the Wolf's Glen being that in thus finding a substitute he saves himself for three years from the penalty of his bond to the evil one. The incantation scene, which is most wierd-like, follows. Caspar, at midnight, has summoned Zamiel, and made his arrangements for the seven charmed bullets. Max follows to the glen, and though warned not to enter it by the appearance of his mother's shade, and the spirit of his bride, he perseveres, and the seven magic bullets are cast. There is, of course, the usual love story involved, and the seventh bullet, which Caspar had intended should kill Agatha (Miss May) the bride of Max, strikes Caspar instead—-Zamiel having thus, the last, proved as deceptive as usual. There are some beautiful songs in the opera, and among them the fine song for Caspar, " Life is darkened o'er with woe." Mr Templeton plays the part of the head forester Kuno, and Mr. Vernon that of Killian, a woodsman of the amusing type. The incantation scene is, we may again remark, a most impressive one, and those who have never seen "Der Freischutz" at Home or in the other Colonies, will certainly regret it if they suffer tills occasion to pass without doing so.