SIMONSEN'S OPERA COMPANY.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3044, 29 March 1881, Page 3

SIMONSEN'S OPERA COMPANY.

UN BALLO IN MASCHEBA. We should cay, from the very moderate attendance at the opera last night, that the character of "Verdi's great tragic work is little known in Napier. 'The plot of " Un Ballo in Maschera " is interesting in the extreme, and the opera abounds with musical passages of the most brilliant description. The opera is also one well calculated to bring out a display of all the power of the Simonsen Company. There are characters in the opera particularly well suited to all the principal members of the company, and we feel sure that tbe great majority of those who formed the audience last night will agree with us that it was the most thoroughly finished and successful representation yet given by this talented company. It is a long opera, and yet, owing to the variety of dress and incident in it, and the admirable way in which every part was taken, the interest never flagged, and the performers were called before the curtain at the close of each of tbe five acts. Madame Simonsen as Adelia sang and acted with her usual finish, and power. The character is not a pleasing one to sustain, but Madame Simonsen succeeds in attracting an amount of sympathy for the unfortunate cause of all the trouble in the play which exhibits her power in a strong light. Her acting in the third act, where she seeks the charm which is to deliver her from the passion which is at once her joy and shame, is effective to a degree;

and, again, when discovered by her husband, "and taunted by bis friends, she cries " how like the voice of death each word doth strike about my heart," every attitude and expression had evidently been carefully studied. Miss Martina Simonsen as Edgardo acted with an amount of verve and piquancy that was very refreshing. In the ball-room scene she sang the air "Say what he's wearing" in a manner which fairly brought down the house, and its repetition was twice demanded. Miss Carrie Godfrey's acting and singing in.thepartof Ulrico was all that could be desired. The character affords little scope for display, but it was carefully sustained. The character of Ricardo gave Signor Falidini an opportunity which he has not previously had during this visit to Napier for displaying the full power of a beautiful voice, and of exhibiting a quiet and finished style of acting. Signor Luisetti as Renato also did admirable service, and his singing was repeately recived with loud indications of approval. Signor Ricardi was as usual thoroughly at home in his part, and sang with all the care and sweetness which always characterises his .'performances. All the other characters were well sustained. The beautiful choruses of this opera were admirably rendered, and the careful training and guidance of the orchestra were displayed throughout. To-night Gounod's popular opera " Faust" is to be produced, and with Madame Simonsen in the character of Margurete should ensure a crowded house.