THEATRE ROYAL.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3651, 28 March 1883, Page 3

THEATRE ROYAL.

SATANELLA,

The announcement that Balfo's romantic opera "Satanella" would be produced at the Theatre Royal last night attracted a good audience, the house downstairs being closely filled. Taking the performance as a whole it was infinitely superior to those of the two preceding evenings, although the manner in which the opera was placed upon the stage was hardly creditable to the management. There was an absence of appropriate scenery and other details that to a great extent marred the praiseworthy efforts of some of the performers, and spoilt scenes that otherwise would have been effective. It is to be hoped that on future occasions more attention will be devoted to the due preparation of the stage than lias yet been shown by Mr Simonsen's company. When it is announced that' 'magnificent scenery, "ic., will be employed, the public expect such, and are naturally disappointed when they find themselves face to face with scenes they have been accustomed to for years, and these, too, not by any means judiciously employed. We are pleased, however, to be able to state that the representation of "Satanella" last night was a much more creditable performance than we had anticipated. The greater part of the choruses went spiritedly and in good time, and the concerted music <renerally was sung-in much better style than characterised the previous efforts of the company in that department. j A closer attention was also paid to the dialogue than before, the only one who shmed seriously in a faulty delivery of his lines being the gentleman who assumed the roh' of Rupert. The orchestral accompaniments were, as before, played in masterly style, also the several overtures. We must also compliment Mr Simonsen upon his indefatigable efforts as conductor, as there can be no doubt it was in a great measure due to his skilful direction that last night's performance was made so enjoyable. Miss Martina Simonsen scored another success in the character of Satanella, a part which she played almost to perfection. Her acting was natural and unrestrained, and her various changes of atth'c were carried out with capital effect. In the recitative and air, "The Power of Love," she threw her whole soul, as it were, into the beautiful music, which afforded full scope for the display of her fine vocal abilities, and at. the iiiiish she was warmly recalled. She was also very .successful in the air. " Lost one acept thy doom."' which was .sung with considerable force. We should mention that Miss Simoiisen dressed richly and in good taste. The Lolia of Miss Frances Saville was a very pleasing performance, and in the first act she gave a capital interpretation of the song "Our hearts are not our own to give." Miss Stanley's acting and singing in the roll', of Stella surprised us agreeably, and betokened some careful study. Miss Douglass, too, lent valuable assistance in the chorus. Signor Lissant as Arimanes appeared to bettor advantage than previously, and sang powerfully and with good dramatic effect, although he has a tendency to give his notes a girttcral expression at times. His best efforts were the recitative and air "What daring mortal," and in the duet with Satanella in the third act. Mrßremiir's Rupert was an evenly peifonuance, and gave much satisfaction, although it would have

been an improvement had he paid greater attention to his lines. For his song ''When fortune frowns " he was loudly applauded. His other numbers, however, were in nearly every instance marred by the employment of falsetto notes. In the character of liortensius Mr WentAvorth appeared quite at home, and his bye-play created considerable merriment. Mr Kitts looked the ferocious Braeachio to the life, and made the most of the small part allotted to him. We must not neglect to award a word of special praise to Miss M. Simonseii and Miss Stanley for their finished histrionic display towards the end of the second act. It is to be hoped that Mr Simonsen avi'll see his way to reproduce " Satanella " before the season concludes. We have no doubt he would be favored with a crowded house. To-night Offenbach's comic opera " The Grand Duchess" Avill be produced.