THE OPERA.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4141, 29 June 1874, Page 2

THE OPERA.

CLOSE OF THE SEASON. Ou Saturday night the English opera season of twenty-four nights was brought to a close, with a repetition of the “ Daughter of the Regiment,” and the production of a most ideasing operetta by Offenbach, “ The Bose of Auvergne,” in which much fun was made by “the rose” —Miss May, and her rival lovers, the Village Smith (Mr. Bainford), and the Shoemaker (Mr. Vernon). There was a fair attendance—less than we had expected to see —but the performances were given none the less carefully. Miss May was even in better voice than she has been lately, and her acting and singing were marked with all their usual exquisite taste, care in working out details, and keen perception of humor. Miss Lambert’s “ Marchioness” and Mr. Hallam’s “Tonjo” were also careful performances. Mr. Bainford’s “ Sei'geant Sulpice” is a fine reproduction of the simple-hearted old soldier whose whole life is devoted to “the gallant Tweuty-fix*st,” and the foundling “ Daughter of the Begiinent.” The Corporal was played by Mr. Gunning, who dressed in splendid imitation of the great “Little Corporal,” and played his part very carefully. Mr, Vernon has gained nightly on the favor of the public of Wellington, and his humorous delineation of the guardian or headdomestic of the “ Marchioness” was productive of great mirth. He has a very good and useful voice, a natural taste for the stage, and the sense to carry his drolleries just to the point at which excess would spoil all : while he is wisely not above study. We anticipate a highly successful career for him, as well as for Mr. Templeton, who is rising fast as a tenor, and improving immensely as an actor as he becomes more and more familiar with stage business. As the season is now over we may add that Mr. Levison and Mr. Lester have also proved themselves very useful members of the company ; while the leader of the chorus—and what Australasian opera-goer, whether preferring the English or the Italian companies, is not familiar with his face ?—deserves more than a passing compliment for the unvarying care which he has displayed throughout the season in the management and leading of his associates of the chorus, both ladies and gentlemen. Mr. Allen’s reputation as a conductor is so high that we can only say that he has borne himself throughout in a manner to prove that the high character he bears—and we may say as a liberal and popular manager as well as an able conductor—is thoroughly well-deserved. Mons. Fleiuy and his clever companions of the orchestra also did their duty in a most satisfactory manner. Mr. Willis’s scenery has been the theme of much praise, while Mr. Briggs—a machinist who joined the company at Christchurch—proved himself to be a valuable addition to the staff. Mr. Ingles should have been mentioned earlier, aa his management of the stage left little at any time to be complained of. Mr. Baphacl, the agent in advance, did his “spiriting” in a quiet and gentlemanly way, and the outdoor business was carefully managed by Mr. Wm. Evans, who has been long known in the Colonies as a circus proprietor, and in the management of travelling companies. The season has been a success financially, we are glad to say, as well as musically. During the twenty-four nights thirteen operas and three operettas were produced,— “ Montana,” “ Bose of Castille,” “ Satanella,” “ Bohemian Girl,” “ Grand Duchess,” “Genevieve de Brabant,” “ La Sonnambula,” “ Der Freischutz,” “ Cinderella,” and “ The Daughter of the Regiment,” being played twice each. The whole of these were produced in excellent style, as wo have noted from time to time, the faults occasionally to be found having been comparatively few and small. It has been x*einarked, and we quite agree with the observation, that it is not a little creditable to the musical taste of Wellington, that the legitimate grand opera proved considerably more attractive than those comic operas and operettas that have lately boon the rage in the other Colonies. Arrangements had been made before the conqxany appealed, by which Mr. Allan had been assured

of a financial success; and the public will not be unwilling to learn that, although the weather proved to be of the most unfavorable kind all tlirough the season, the gentlemen who undertook the risk have not been left without at least a moderate reward for the amount of responsibility they undertook. It was Mr. Allan's original intention to visit Sydney on his return from "the grand tour" of New Zealand; but Miss May and the company have been so well received in Dunedin, Ohristchurch, and Wellington, that it is now intended, after visiting Nelson, Auckland, and the Thames, to return southwards to Dunedin, from whence the company will go on to Melbourne. They will play a short season in each of the towns they have visited. They will be received with pleasure here; and it will be gratifying to many if an opportunity be then afforded to the public, to give Mr. Rainford a substantial recognition of his excellent services in a benefit. The arrangements made did not permit, we presume, of that compliment being offered to him during the season just over. Mr. Rainford has always worked hard; he has been invariably in good voice and humor, and well deserves the compliment proposed. We may add that the case which contains the valuable diamond jewels presented to Miss May now bears a silver plate, on which the following simple inscription has been engraved by Mr. Shaw :—" Presented to Alice May by a few friends in Wellington, New Zealand." The company embarked on board the Taranaki immediately after the performance on Saturday, and the vessel steamed away about two o'clock on Sunday morning for Nelson, where they will perform during the week, giving a change of opera every evening. Ladies will probably find choice flowers for bouquets scarce for some time to come, the chief dealer in the City in these articles having disposed, it is said, of some £SO worth of the rarest in his stock during the past week for presentation from the dress circle to Miss Alice May.