IL TROVATORE.

Southland Times, Issue 3886, 3 December 1880, Page 2

IL TROVATORE.

Verdi's romantic and popular opera, " II Trovatore," was the piece selected for representation last night by the Siraonsen Company. It is hardly necessary td 'day that with Madam Simousen $ IJLfeonora, Miss Carrie Godfrey 'as Azueen*i', and Signor Paladini as Manriep, tlie, per^ormaQoyvas a thorough success^ The piece was well mounted and put on the stage, the appointments, costumes, &c, being all that could be wished- for. Some new scenery (by Mr Tait) was very effective. The chorus and orchestra (the latter, a*4 qlual, conducted by MrSimonsen) were, as heretofore,\Vell up to their wcrk. Of the-leading per formers it seems almost iuvidious to single out one for praise where all displayed more than average excellence., ■ but there can be no room for doubt that hi th* opinion of the audience, Madam Simonsen's Leonora bore away tlie palm, and »* little doubt that the golden opinion? she earned were well deserved both by her admirable rendering of the music, and the easy unstudied grace of her acting. She was well supported by Signor Paladini,. as Manrico, whose finished execution and fine voice told throughout to great advantage. Miss Carrie GoaTrey'sc^refalinnheffectiva rendering of the,- long and somewhat trying part of Aztrbena must not be passed without a word of, eomrnendation." Her acting was ataofar above-the average. This young lady has xuade vast strides in the way of improverJigp£||gsn& she was last amongst us. SP -1 Cram's Count wis painstaking: and correct; and , Signor' Riccardi as Fernando was, it need jbsraly be t-aid , more than good enough for tlie part. Miss Frances Simousen as Inez did what little fell to her share, well and gracefully. , The appreciation of the audience wag evinced by the imperative demand for an encore of the scene in the fourth act outside the prison^ walls, bet^^en Leonora and Manrico, -in-wliich fthg^well-known [ "Ah che la raortc" is introduced, a de* niand which was gracefully responded to by Madam Simon sen and Signor. Paladini. A similar compliment was paid to- Miss Godfrey and Sigiior Paladini in-the prisoa scene, and similarly acknowledged. On the whole, II Trovatore yesterday evening was a decided success. To-night the company will give " Norma," and from the high character of the' perfbrfriance* already given, it may be confidently' asserted that all lovers of high class music may calculate with certainty on a ' most enjoyable evening.