THE OPERA.

Evening Star, Issue 3467, 2 April 1874, Page 2

THE OPERA.

‘‘ Barbe Bleue,” Anglic Bluelßeard, islthe name of the comic opera played last evening for the first time in Dunedin. It is not exactly the traditional story of Blue Beard. There is not so much of the tragedy about it as is implied in the ghastly tale that used so to excite the terrors of oar childhood. But there is enough of it left to recognise its paternity. It is Blue Beard moderated, in which sparkling music, rich dresses and scenery, and polite grotesqueric are substituted for bloody chambers and murdered wives. It is almost idle to describe a plot the aim and object of which is to ridicule our most cherished notions of the sublimity of tragedy. It is enough to say that Blue Beard is a profligate tyrant; Boulette. a village coquette, who, by she accident of lottery, becomes Queen of Roeea and wife of the sensualist, who, after a few days marriage, designs to put her away for another wife. As plot is subordinated to effect, wo may fairly be excused analysing it, and content ourselves with saying the music is good, the scenery Is good, and the acting and dressing are good. We have heard nothing of Offenbach’s to equal Barbe Bleue. There are melodies that familiarity will render taking, the merits of which are overlooked on a first hearing, and choruses and accompaniments that sparkle with musical drollery. Miss Alice May, as Bontetto, was 1 most amusing. Her singing, always good, was in every case appropriate, and her merry comic representation of the brusque country girl, free and outspoken, ready to kiss or fight as impulse dictated, was irresistably charming. Miss Lambert, and Misses Lester, Alice Johns, Johnstone, obus, and Wheeler supported heir well. Mr Musgrave as King Bobeche, Mr Vernon as Bluebeard, Mr Templeton as the Prince, Mr for d aa Popolani, and Messrs Mitchell, Wilkinson, and Miss Howe sustained the remaming characters with spirit and effect. We think criticism almost out of the onestiou in cases of comic opera. Like puns, sometimes the more outrageous the acting the better it goes off. There is a whimsicality about .the whole affair that provokes irresistibly to laughter; there is a refinement m it that justifies laughter, because it is not sanctioning vulgarity. Nobody will ever regret seeing “Barbe Bleue” as produced by the Opera Company, while many will be disappointed if they have not an opportunity of seeing it. We recommend them, therefore, to visit the Princess Theatre tonight, when it will be repeated. To-morrow, a selection of sacred music will be given appropriate to the anniversary of Good