OPERA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6831, 19 April 1890, Page 4

OPERA.

"LA MASCOITE."

The Williamson, Garner and Musgrove Opera Company . last night produced Audran's charming. opera La Mascotte. The opera keeps its hold on the admirers of a cleverly constructed plot, and light tuneful music of the French school. There was a good house, and tha frequency of the encoreß was one of the causes that lengthened the duration of the performance to well over three hours.

Tho opera was mounted in the brilliant manner that i3 associated, with the "Triumvirate," and for its spectacular effecta alone was well worth attending. The pretty choruses and marches were excellently rendered. The part of Bettina, La Mascotte, waß ably filled by Miss Clara Merivale, who threw all her energy and life into a part more than ordinarily trying. She fully carried out both ■ the author's and composer's idea of the part. Her song " Give me Back " was very nicely sung, and her voice rang clearly in the celebrated duet "Glou Glou" with her shepherd, lover Pippo (Mr H". M. Imano). As Fiametta Miss Fanny Liddiard showed her adaptability to almost every -class of character' in comic opera, and she danced gracefully. In the comparatively small part of Prince •Frittelini, Mr C. M. Leumane acted and sang well, and his song, " Love is Blind," created a good impreEsion. As Pippo, the shepherd, Mr H. M. Imano hardly made the most of his many advantages ; he was notably deficient in the "Glou-glou" duet with La Mascotte. His acting, moreover, was hardly that of a man supposed to be irresistible to the heart of the heroine. His voice, however, told well in concerted music when it was within his compass. Another of the most prominent parts is that of Laurent XVII., Duke of Piombino, played by Mr William Elton. This gentleman sustained the character capitally, and kept the house thoroughly amused. It is, however, a matter for regret that he allowed his tendency to "gag" to prolong the opera unduly. Mr Howard Vernon's part of Rocco, the farmer, whose luck so badly requires the happy influence of La Mascotte, was most conscientiously played, and he sang the music in a creditable manner. Tho choruses were thorougly well taken, and the little ballets were smartly and cleverly performed. Quite a number of the items were encored.

The opera will be repeated to-night, and from the appreciation expressed by the audience last night, a good house may be expected.