ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4406, 12 July 1901, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

OPERA HOUSE. ■'The Fencing Master,’’ a comic opcia in thtee acts, was successfully produced last night by the S.anton Opera Company at the Opera House. The authors, Messrs Smith and He Koven, have made a reputation as writers of the lightest of igut comic eperas, and “The .Fencing Mastei J ' may be taken as a good example of its class. The scene is laid in Holland the action takes place during the early part of the fifteenth century, a picturesque period peculiarly suitable to the vagaries of comic onera. as it is understood nowadays. Miss Stanton sang the music allotted to Francesca admirably, and won repeated encores. Mr Hallam’s was a sterling performance, and Messrs Kunkel and Harvey hod to answer half a dozen times t> the demands of the audience in a dnet in which the former played a double bass and the latter danced a haka. The minor parls were ail well supported. The choruses in this bright and. melodious opera are among the finest heard during the Staunton reason, and were vigorously rendered. The o lso deservees a word of praise -m being most appropriate. ‘‘The Fencing Master” will be repeated to-night.

The usual meeting of the Wesleyan Literary and 'Debatin'- Society was held at 'he Taranaki street Hall last night. The business rf the evening was the reading of the society’s “Journal.” which contained severe' artmlns of more than average merit. Next Thu-sdno- phenes from the

"Merchant of Venice’’ will be given by Mr T?. H. Wedde, as isted by members of the society. A large aud’ence attended the Fompany’s porforme-'ce at the Theatre Koval l"st night. Next Mc-Pav a. nuni. ber of new performers are billed to appear. .

The romnuny appearing p*. Choral Hall will (rive a complete change of programme to-morrow night.