LYDIA HOWARDE TROUPE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 1577, 16 November 1876, Page 3

LYDIA HOWARDE TROUPE.

Thistroupeaffordod a highly enjoyable evening's amusement at the Mechanics' Institute last evening. Theaudience, however, experiencd a great disappointment, owing to the fact that Miss.Lydia Howarde did not appear as announced. The burlesque played on the occasion was '".ll Trovatorr." It was capitally acted, and the music of various descriptions} which is given m. the piece, was artistically rendered. A great cUal of the music 18 from the original opera, and the remainder comprises principally popular songs of a comic and serious character. The part of Manrico, which was to have been taken by Miss Lydia Howarde, wbb ably -filled by the-tenbr-singer of the- troupe. His singing m the " Miserere" scene was better by far than any of his former efforts of thiß description. Miss Jennie Nye represented the Count di Luna very well, both her singing and dancing being pleaeing and clever. As Leonora, Mad'l!e Solange Navaro was charming. Her activg and aingipg m Jhe "Miserere" scene were the most enjoyable features of the entertainment. She sang with the expression and deep feeling which are required to make the scene a success, and she showed m rendering her part that she possesses a great compass of .voice combined with • a sweetness of tone. Load and deserved applause greeted the performers at the conclusion of this scene. The Gipsy Queen, a difficult and important

part was filled m a very agreeable manner bj Mr Harry Power. He seemed to have t perfect conception of the iharaeter. Th< get-up and acting of Mr Herbert as th( G-ipsy thief were remarkably good. All the other characters were well filled. The farce " A Kiss m the Dark," brought the perfor mance to a conclusion. To-night the burlesque "Fra Diavolo " will be produced, alsc the Witches' Scene from " Macbeth."