THE OPERA SEASON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 19, 7 May 1892, Page 476

THE OPERA SEASON.

The Montague-Turner opera artists have drawn large houses in Auckland, and if the patronage accorded them all through their tour equals that bestowed in the Northern capital, the management will doubtless be well satisfied. The ‘ Trovatore,’ ‘ Bohemian Girl,’ and ‘ Mignon ’ have been produced since our last issue, and in each case a very commendable representation has been given. The orchestra is excellent, and the chorus has been improved. The principals have gained unstinted praise, and on various occasions have aroused the greatest enthusiasm. Miss Montague’s dramatic powers equal her vocal gifts, and Mr Turner is singing better than ever. Mr Farley’s voice is in magnificent order, this trio being, in fact, a redoubtable one. MISS MONTAGUE’S DRESSES. Miss Annis Montague wears some very handsome gowns. One which has been particularly admired is worn in the opening scenes of ‘ Il Trovatore,’ and a description will hardly convey an adequate idea of its elegance. The bodice and long Watteau train are of rich apple green silk, the petticoat of pink brocade finished at the foot with gold fringe and beautifully embroidered with gold. The bodice is, by the way, made with a V-shaped vest of pink silk embroidered with gold, and finished with a gold jewelled corselet belt, from which falls a graduated fringe of pearls. Long angel sleeves of green silk lined with pink and edged with gold fringe, and a mantilla of beautiful cream Spanish lace complete a magnificent costume. Another lovely gown is worn in the last Act of ‘ Maritana.’ The bodice and long train are of ruby plush, and the skirt of pale blue brocade finished at the foot with a fringe of silver. On each side of the skirt is a panel of plush trimmed with silver jewelled passementerie., the same handsome trimming on the bodice, which is finished with a heavy fringe of pearls. As Arline in the ‘ Bohemian Girl ’ Miss Montague in the last act wears another beautiful trained gown of pale pink silk embroidered with silver, pink feathers in the hair, and lovely pink feather fan. HOW THE AUDIENCES WERE GOWNED. Amongst the ladies in the dress circle at one or other of the performances were Mrs (Prof.) Thomas, wearing a beautiful pink satin gown ; Mrs D. B. Cruickshank, in a very handsome black silk evening dress, the low bodice finished with jet, and beautiful cream cloak, the shoulders braided with gold and lined with gold satin ; Miss Brett, handsome black evening dress with gold trimmings ; Miss A. Brett looked pretty in pale blue silk ; Mrs H. Johnson, black evening dress, and pretty crushed strawberry cloak ; Miss Bleazard, handsome black evening dress with maize coloured trimmings ; Miss—Bleazard wore cream silk trimmed with crushed strawberry ; Mrs Barton (Whangarei) looked very pretty in pale blue finished with aigrettes of white feathers ; Miss Rita Tole, pretty black evening dress and blue opera cloak ; Miss Kissling, very pretty grey satin evening dress ; Miss Purchas, winecoloured silk gown ; Mrs Ehrenfried, rich ruby merveilleux gown ; Mrs Clayton looked handsome in a black silk and lace evening dress ; Miss Rice, pretty smoke-grey evening dress; Mrs Harding, black silk gown ; Miss Fiances Harding looked pretty in a trained cream silk gown. Mrs McArthur’s handsome terracotta plush opera cloak entirely concealed her gown ; she wore a becoming plush cap of the same shade. Grey was the predominating tint in Mrs Johnson’s costume ; of the three Misses Robertson, two wore black, while the other was a contrast in white and shell pink, with an enticing white fan. Miss Sinclair is still in slight mourning. A young lady was with Miss Whewell —who, by-the-bye, was dressed in white —wearing a pretty black evening frock, and fanning herself

with a nice red and grey cooler. Mrs T. W. Leys was in a very tasteful costume. The gown, of a fawnbrown shade, had a jabot of chiffon and red-brown spots, against which nestled a little wreath of chrysanthemums, whose petals were of an orange hue lined with red-brown. Mrs W. Philson appeared in black silk and lace; red Howers clustered on the corsage and wandered over the skirt in an oblique line. A black opera cloak worn by Mrs J. M. Geddis faintly revealed her white gown ; the fan was also white. Another white frock was worn by Mis Tom Wood ; Miss Dixon was in semi mourning ; Mrs Jim Buckland looked very well in black and tomato-red ; Miss Edith Owen wore a lovely crimson plush opera-cloak ; Miss Kitty Owen’s frock was of shades of purple, the sleeves being lilac-hued silk, the bodice of pansy velvet; a charming costume of a reddish hue, hat and dress harmonizing, was worn by Miss A. Heather ; Mrs John Dawson looked well in a black evening gown, black fan with floral designs ; a delightful opera cloak of crimson plush, bright and warm, appeared over Mrs Janies Ansenne’s black dress. Another pretty black dress, cut low and trimmed with lace and jet, was worn by Mrs John Hamlin, the white flowers on the corsage effectively relieving the sombre hue. The two Misses Murray were in white evening frocks. Another touch of white was given by Mrs James Taylor’s white shawl over a black gown. Mrs Thomas was in a red soiree dress trimmed with white lace, Miss Russell wearing blue. Mrs (Dr.) Haines wore a handsome black evening dress, the shoulders and sleeves of lace unlined, and her beautiful opera cloak, the high collar finished with feather trimming ; Mrs It. Blair, black silk evening dress richly trimmed with jet ; Mrs A. L. Edwards looked pretty in pale pink trimmed with ruby plush ; Mrs J. B. Gilfillan, black silk gown, the neck finished with white lace; Mrs Gamble (Remuera), handsome black silk gown ; Miss Maude Gould, in white, looked pretty ; her sister, Miss Amy Gould, also was in white ; Mrs Gillfillan wore lavender; Mrs Kenderdine appeared in her wedding gown of pink silk; Mrs Towsey, in striped grenadine; Miss Nashelski, in black ; the Misses Percival, in white with crimson flowers, were well suited. Mrs Myers, handsome black silk gown combined with white ; Mrs Nashelski wore a rich black silk costume, the vest embroidered in gold ; Miss Nashelski, dainty cream evening gown, pink wrap ; Mrs Hay, black evening gown, gold jewellery ; Mrs P. A. Edmiston looked well in black, and a lovely eiffel plush mantle ; Madame Tutschka, handsome cream satin evening gown ; Mrs Walter Taylor, rich black silk evening gown, ruby plush mantle; Mrs H. Haines, stylish black costume ; Miss Lewis, fawn costume, and stylish fur collarette; Miss Nathan, dainty white frock ; Mis Whitson, black silk, and cream cap; her daughters wore pretty cream flowered delaine gowns ; Mrs McArthur, black gown, ruby plush mantle; Mrs H. Brown, stylish costume of light brown tweed ; Mrs Gallaugher, black silk and lace gown.