THE OPERA.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 567, 3 November 1871, Page 2

THE OPERA.

We cannot think of any items of newr more calculated to give delight to those in the city capable of being entranced by music, than the report of the arrival yesterday of a genuine Opera Company. Unhappily, Auckland has but few oppor;unities for enjoying music in this, its most perfect form, and attended by all the accessories that tend to make music irresistible. Some seven years ago the liyster Opera troupe drew crowded and euraptured houses, and the memory of the music then enjoyed lingers pleasantly with those then resident in the city. But if accounts are not greatly exaggerated, she Lyster Opera Company his been eclipsed in Australia by that of Cagli and Pompei. This is the first real Italian Opera Company that has ever visited the colonies. It is not to be expected, indeed, chat there are many in this city who will inder.-tand the language in «vhi<*h the noughts and the music are conveyed, but he very practical means of becoming •reviously familiar with the plot is avail ble to" all in the English version, vhich will be procurable here in a few lavs. As many in Auckland have never >ad the pleasure ot enjoying Italian )pera before, we would strongly rccom aend that such shi»uld procure before and and carefully read the English version, which can be obtaiued at a very •small price -for it is needless to say that o those who neither know the nature of lie scenes presented, nor can understand he words as the plot proceeds, the enjoyment will be to a great extent marred, [n fact, to the great majority of the people,, who are not trained to exquisite .aste in music, in'ltalian Opera, with the dot unknown, the enjoyment cannot be -er.yi great.: With this simple preparation, where required, there will, in the _ort season of the Opera now commencing, be afforded to the people a luxury he equal of which has never been presented in this city before... The company appears to be one of rare excellence. There are no less rhan four enjoying the fame of prima'donna, and the company includes hirty artists of .acknowledged reputation. The opening night takes place to-morrow evening, at the Prince of Wales, when -drat, in the estimation.of many —most lelicious of all operas—" II Trovatore," vill be produced, We. are glad to hear that a large number of season tickets have 'ieen taken out, and we venture to p'relict that, such is the good and musical aste of Auckland, the theatre will be hronged every night. It is sincerely to be hoped-that such an amount of encour•gemeut will be afforded, that we shall be often visited by such a company. In Sydney, which, among all the colonies, is most famed in musical taste, the company created a. furore which continued,to'the last; and in the Sydney Morning Iterald, which is distinguished for discriminating criticism, we find the following relating to the farewell night:—

; The farewell performance of Cagli and Pompei's Operatic Company took place at the above theatre last evening, and the audience was most enthusiastic. Siguore Zenoni and Coy and Signor Colliva-were, respectively called several.times before, the curtain, and in; each case were greeted with great applause. Verdi's opera, " Traviata," one act of " Sappho," introducing the celebrated duet, ' Leh guar aurora lag-iime,' and the laet act of " Pipele" were on the bill, and in each case were admirably rendered. As the favorite artistes made their last appearance, it is unnecessary to individualise the performance, the more so as the applause was so generally shared. Ihe company leave for Auckland by the Nevada to-day, and it is satisfaction to learn that there is a possibility of several of them reappearing in Sydney at no distant date. The reminiscenses of the operatic season of 1871 will always be pleasant to true lovers of music, and so far as the arlittes are collectively concerned, it will remain an open question whether they have ever been equalled in this colony.