THEATRE ROYAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3492, 20 June 1879, Page 3

THEATRE ROYAL.

Despite the very inclement weather last night, ths Theatre Koyal was fairly attended. The programme consisted of the whole of " H.M.S. Pinafore," and the first and fourth acts of " Ernani." The first went admirably, tbe choruses especially being better heard than in the former representation. Mrs Talbot was suffering from considerable hoarseness in her lower notes, but, notwithstanding, gave the higher passages of her part _ with much effect. Signora Venosta was in grand voice, greatly contributing to the success of the performance. The whole piece was given with great life, Bpirit, and precision, and the superior style to which tho chorus has attained— quite up to the standard established by tho " Martha" performances— enables the voices to hold their own with the powerful orchestra, which on the first representation was out of proportion through no fault of the instrumentalists. "H.M.B. Pinafore," aa performed by Mr Towle's clsbs, is decidedly worth seeing, so much so that when the finale introducing the characteristic airs of the principal performers arrives, one regrets that the performance lia9 been so short. Tho rest of tho programme consisted of two acts from " Ernani "—the first and the fourth. They were preceded by the samo arranged overture as last night, in which the instrumentation of the excellent orchestra was again speoially noticeable. One of the features of this item was the fine clarionet solo of Mr Mohr, and another was the cornet folo of Mr Coombs, both players showing good style and remarkable purity of tone. This overture alone should be sufficient to draw an audience. The first bit of " Ernani " whioh followed, was a vast improvement on the previous night's performance. It was not only that the King's part was given generally in better tune, but there was a marked increase of efficiency in all the parts, producing smoothness, crispneßs, and good balance of voices and instruments. The general rendering was intelligent and praiseworthy, and was heartily applauded. Mies Cook repeated hor triumph of t\e previous evening, using hor fine voice to great advantage— -in the ooncerted music more especially. In her rendering of the air " Ernani, Love, Fly with Me," which was in very good style— .she was interrupted by frequent plaudits, and the whole of her music was received with most flattering demonstrations. Mr Towle. was in very fine voice, and had less to do to keep the other performers together; the consequence was a successfully artistic impersonation of the title rdle. His opening solo, "As When the Morning DewsKefresh," was one of the gems of the opera, and the same may be Baid of the air "0 Thou, My Life's Soul Treasure," which he sang with great powerand energy. The opening chorus of bandits was given with speoially fine effect, the orchestral accompaniments and excellent conducting being here specially remarkable aad enjoyable. The opening air of Don Silva

was also finely given. This . r6le likewise showed a marked improvement, the acting being far more careful and suitable. The various pieces of concerted music by which the first act is enriched were given generally with capital effect. Chief among them for precision and dramatic force may be mentioned the unaccompanied quintette and chorus which l follow the discovery of the Kins in the castle of Don Silva. The performance of the last act was quite up to the standard of the first. The orchestration was throughout brilliant, and the conducting steady and reliable. The performance as a whole was highly creditable to amateurs. We are happy to see the same bill announced for to-night.