THE "PIRATES OF PENZANOE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6089, 16 August 1881, Page 2

THE "PIRATES OF PENZANOE.

This operetta, although it has *„» i, =^=sH^^™^

great versatility which has been exorcised vthe composition—a varioty much moia striking in several of its features than that exhibited in the co successful " Pinafore." This faut is irre Bistibly supgested upon listening to the choruses. Bung kiifcsling, near the close of the first act— a melody ao swnff: and tinlemn as to be alnMst adapted for a dies v'a, and contrasting it with the brilliant vivacity o;f some of tha lighter nnuibpr. Lihn i!ie former work of Mffars Sullivan a;,\ Gilbert, fhs " Pir'»t-.« " is ft!.sr. adtr.irjiMj' well •Mistaiued c^r.-ngh^iit, both i:: vni-.si'j arid li!;r:;tto, :md to l!ii« it "ill ow« uineH of ih sucivn.'1. w'm;, outt ;i" acf|"ii*'*v.t ancs shall hnva rendered Us invro promi-isai attractions fciniliar. V.'ba perfornaanw I'-s' r.i^ht anes not need any wne.'idod criiici«in Signor Oiinuiui Morlv>, althr-n^h not in fir«t-c]n?B voice, sang with hfo usual accuracy; and Mdllc- Murielle waa warmly spplaudart upon more than one occasion. Her sol", "Poor wandering one," with the exquisitely pretty wallz chorus which follows, was received with tho most imperative encore of the evening, and was repeated with equally good effect, Mdlle. Murielle execoting her difficult run very satisfactorily. Mr Wentworth resumed hii regimentals and his family ties, and received an encore for his introductory song; a Blight deficiency in the time of the chorus was, however, here noticeahlo, tho exceedingly rapid movement not being caught instantaneously by one or two of the voices. Tha policemen's chorus, " When the foaman bares his steel," had also to be repeated ; and the equally funny one which succeeds, " When the felon 's not engaged in his employment," was accorded the same recognition. Miss leaf's Ruth was, as before, a well-studied and careful performance, her singing being especially accurate. Great credld is also due to the chorus, who, with one or two exceptions, show perfect training. This, and the admirable completeness of detail with which the opera is placed upon the stage, can. sot fail to ensure it a commensurate term of success, oa the dresses, ucenery, and suchlike adjuncts, although occasionally overlooked, never fail to weigh heavily, though insensibly, in the public estimation.