ENGLISH OPERA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 1911, 20 April 1874, Page 2

ENGLISH OPERA.

The " Royal English Opera Company " will give the first performance of a subscription season of twenty-four nights at tho Theatre Royal this evening. With the exception of Mr Henry Hallain (tenor), and Mr T. H. Rainford (basso), the members of the company are all new to Christchurch. The gentlemen named, however, have never appeared here as operatic actors, and therefore it is only fair to suspend judgment upon them, in common with the others, until they have demonstrated their capabilities in that line. It may, however, bo said that all tho leading performers have received favourable notices from the Dunedin papers, especially Miss Alice May, tho prima donna, of whom none of them appear to be able to speak too highly. As regai'ds the preparations for the opera, it may bo stated that since his arrival hero, some three weeks since, Mr Willis, scenic artist, has been indefatigable in his exertions, has painted out all tho stockscenery of which theatre-goers were long ago thoroughly tired, and replaced it with some of the best ever presented here. The dresses and properties also are good, the orchestra is known to be a strong one, and the chorus and ballet are eaid to be well trained and effective. As far as can be judged the company performs its work very creditably, and if they only do that they will have not the slightest need to repent their visit to Christchurch. To-night they will appear in Vincent Wallace's opera " Maritana," the music of which is well known here, and tho plot also, which ifl identical with that of " Don Ca>3ar de Bazan." The management intend to change the opera nightly, to-morrow evening producing . Benedict's "Lily of Killarney." The repertoire of .the company comprise! about twelve

operas, all of which were not produced ir Dunedin. Those played during the regubv subscription season were — " Maritana,' twice; "The Grand Duchess" four times " The Bohemian Grirl," twice ; " Barb Bleue," twice ; " Genevieve de Brabant 1 thrice ; " Daughter of the Regiment," twice " Satanella," twice ; " The Rose of Castile, twice; "La Sonnambula," once; "Lily c Killarney," three times. Offenbach's opera the "Grand Duchesa" and "Geneviede Brabant," were highly successful, the latt attracting one of the largest audiencea cv seen in a theatre in Dunedin.