THEATRE ROYAL.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3659, 6 April 1883, Page 3

THEATRE ROYAL.

MADAME SIMONSEN'S BENEFIT. The benefit performance tendered to Madame Simpaseii at tli§ Th.eati;e.Boyal lust

night attracted a large audience, the house being filled throughout. The programme commenced Avith the third act from Bellini's grand opera "Norma," Avhich avus faithfully performed by Madame Fanny and Miss Martina. Simousen, who sang Avith splendid effect the beautiful music, including the celebrated duet " Deh Conic." This avus folloAved by a concert, Avhich, however, if Aye except the A-iolin solos by 'Mr Martin Simousen, and the songs by Miss Frances Saville, Miss A. Stanley, and Miss Leonora Simonsen, calls for no special mention. Miss Stanley sang " Twickenham Ferry" in capital style, and AA-as rapturously encored. The violin solos bA- Air Simonsen were a genuine treat, and for brilliancy in execution would be indeed difficult to surpass. The selection from the third act of Donnizctti's opera " Lucia de Lammcrmoor" avus capably carried out. Miss Martina Simousen appearing to good advantage as Lucia. Her singing in this character Avas one of the best things of the evening. Before the rising of the curtain for the third act of ' 'Boccaccio,'' Avhich concluded the evening's cutertaiiinient, Madame Simoi i - sen came before the curtain, and in aneat little speech thanked those present for their kind patronage, and announced that the followidg evening the remaining members of the company Avould take a benefit prior to their departure for Melbourne, Avhen she hoped the people of Napier, with their usual generosity and Avarm-heartcdness, Avould accord ""her people" a bumper house. Madame Simonsen, at tho conclusion of her speech, Avas Avavmly applauded. A\ r e notice that the opera selected for representation this evening isßalfe's romantic opera "The Bohemian Girl," a piece that is certain to prove a poAvcrful " draAV."