Amusements.

Thames Star, Volume IIII, Issue 1759, 22 August 1874, Page 2

Amusements.

THE OPERA.

The increasing popularity of Mr. Allen's opera company was evidenced in a most convincing manner lait night by the assemblage in. the Theatre ' Koyal of one of gthe largest audiences which that place of amusement has seen for years. The legendary and spectacular opera of " Satanella" was produced, and with the most perfect success. The large audience, which could not possibly have been crammed 1 into the Academy of Music, was suggestive of the fact that a mistake had been made by the company going to the Academy in the .first instance. It is true that the Academy of Music is a very pretty and comfortable place of amusement, but the limited stage accommodation operAteS: disadvantageoujly against the house being used for the production of the dramt, lyric or otherwise; and it is" a pity that the Boyal is not in a better condition, for..it possesses many advantages—not the least of which is the ample stage. However this is; neitherhere nor there. The opera company having completed their short season of fire nights in the Acacemy, Mr. Allen determined upon moving to the Royal; in order to produce two grand operas before leaving the district. "Satanella" was underlined for last night, and attracted the full house noted above. During the first act it was remarked that Miss Alice May was affected with lameness, but no one appeared to think that she was suffering, as the lameness certainly did not effect her butpnvhert movements -i- that is,, so far as the audience could see. But during the interval Mr;; Jnglis announcod that -,Miss May had met with an accident, and on that account craved the indulgence of the audience; an announcement 'which not Only secured the indulgence but the warmest sympathy of those present; for on the lady s reappearance she was greeted with the heartiest demonstrations of appreciation. The performance must have been unspeakably trying; under any circumstances it would have been so. Th.c cast; was;; as follows :r-Satanella, '■ Miss Alice May; Arimanes, Mr. Eainford; Count Rupert, Mr. Hallam; Prinpass Stella, Miss E .A. Lambert; Hoi 1-1 tensius, Mr. Howard Vernon; the remainder of the characters by the company,: embracing nearly, every one of the nume- •' rous'babd. Undoubtedly the; «pera was the best yet produced, and the most perfect,, Opera the company hare appeared in. 'It abounds in charming songs, and. scenas ; the accompaniments and incidental music are of a high order. .The spectacular effects .were well.-,arranged, and. '■ considerably lightened the. effect. ■ We feel a difficulty in particularising any j feature; all were so- admirably sustained. Mr. Eainford was in fine yoice, and sup-; ported Miss May capitally. Mr>! Hallam; also developed hewevidencesdf ability in • voice and acting; and indeed the 1 same may be said of all the others. The dresses; Awere simply splendid; the-prima donna! appearing in some six different guises during the action of the piece. She was; repeatedly greeted with floral offerings,; and at the end Of each act receivdd Ta call J The tout ensemble was a- most marked sue- ■ cess,which must hare been as gratifying to; the conductor and the company as it was/ satisfactory to the audiencij. "It is a; rea^iriatter of regret that the stay of the; company is to be so limited This evening's performance being the last of the season.; '.'■ Ber Freischut2 " will be produced, and froth all wo hear it will eclipse the grand success of last night. ..»,'._'," v ' \