COMIC OPERA COMPANY.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 38, 17 September 1892, Page 932

COMIC OPERA COMPANY.

To MORROW evening the Royal Comic Opera Company open their much-talked of and ardently desired New Zealand season. If there is one thing New Zealanders love beyond all others it is comic opera, and no company enjoy one quarter the popnlaiity in this colony as the merry men and shapely maidens who dance and sing under the direction of Williamson and Co. It is a good while since the comic opera company under this management made their last tour, but all of us, from one end of the colony to the other, remember the whimsicalities of Vernon, and the charms of Miss Pollard s voice and figure. This time there are new friends to make, and no doubt we shall do so ‘ at sight.’ Miss Graupner has a big Australian reputation, even the caustic critic of the Bulletin succumbing to her singing and her smiles ; and the same severe satirist (who takes pleasure in saying nasty things) has peiforceto admit thatG. Lauri, the man who will take Elton s part®, • could not be funnier without breaking his neck.’ Lauri, it is said, runs Elton very close, and that is sufficient for most of us. As our space is limited, it is impossible to discuss the company in toto. Moreover, everyone will go and hear and see and judge for themselves. ‘The Gondoliers,' which will be played first, is admittedly the finest work that Gilbeit and Sullivan ever did together, ranking even before the ever p-op-nlar ‘ Mikado.’ ‘The Old Guard ’is extremely funny, full of pretty music and a most extraordinary amount of dress. ‘Pepita' is Spanish, and gorgeous in costume, while the music is tuneful. * Marjorie 'is quite out of the ordinary run, and will prove irresistible to everyone. Full of catchy and pretty music, it is a work of great merit by a composer whose work is almost, or altogether, unknown in this colony. For months past nothing else but the comic opera—‘ The Gondoliers ’ and the rest have been talked of, and unless we are much mistaken the biggest season on record will begin to-morrow at the Opera House in Auckland, and continue till the company play their last night in Dunedin. So mote it be.