THE OPERA HOUSE.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVI, Issue 2277, 6 August 1894, Page 2

THE OPERA HOUSE.

" Maritana ’’ was repeated at the Opera House on Saturday before a large and fashionable audience, which included His Excellency the Governor and a party from Government House, the Hons W. P. Reeves and J. G. Ward, and several members of the Legislature, The opera was played with great spirit, and all the favourite airs were enthusiastically applauded. Miss Annis Montague repeated her success in the title role. She sang “ Scenes that are Brightest” sweetly, and had to repeat it in response to the clamorous demands of the audience. The prima donna also received several handsome floral tributes. The duet “Oh, Sainted Mother," by Miss Montague and Miss Staunton was another of the successes of the evening. Miss Staunton was also encored for her singing of “ Alas, Those Chimes.” Mr Walshe received a similar compliment for the cavatina “ Let Me Like a Soldier Pall.” Altogether the performance was one of the best yet given by the company.

The second week of the opera season will commence this eveuing»with the production of Bizet’s favourite opera “ Carmen,” a work which has never yet failed in drawing large audiences. As Carmen Miss Annis Montague excels herself. Her eloquent gesticulation, her accomplished byplay, and her faultless execution, as shown in the operas produced up to the present, suit the role so well that we expect an artistic presentariou this evening. Mr Farley ought to make an ideal Escamillo. An exchange says:—“ We have not heard or seen MrWalshe to better advantage than in the role of Don Jose. His fine presence, enhanced in tho uniform of a Spanish brigadier, lent an exquisite charm to tho role, which he acted with elegance and grace.” Public interest in the performances has been well maintained since the commencement of tho season, and there is every prospect of it increasing during the present week, when a varied programme is to be presented. To-morrow evening “ The Bohemian Girl ” will be given.