THE OPERA SEASON.

Evening Star, Issue 3471, 8 April 1874, Page 2

THE OPERA SEASON.

Tbe season proper, or the twenty-four performances which Mr Allen’s company essayed to give, was completed on Saturday last, and the success which marked the opening was coaitimied throughout, and maintained undiminished to the last. This means a great deal: it means that in spite of considerable drawbacks and acknowledged weakness in some respects, the company has been able to keep up the popularity which its excellent representation of its beat efforts induced. The management promised to produce certain operas; including stated novelties > aQ d it cannot be doubled that that baa been done to a more than reasonable extent, which is also satisfactory. We have had “ Maritana,” twice; “The Grand Duchess ” (new), four times; “ Theßohemian Girl,” twice ; “Barba Bleue” (new), twee; “ Genevieve de Brabant’’ (new), thrice; “Daughter of the Kegiment,” twice; “ batanella,” twice ; “ The Hose of Castile,” twice; “La Sonnambula,” once; “Lily of Kidarney” (new), three times. On the whole, Offenbach, who has been the pioat drawn upon, drew the best houses, the “ Grand Duohess ” being a particular favorite wjith opera goers; and “Genevieve,” played on a holiday, was heard by one of the largest audiences seen within the walls of the Princess for many a day. Wit n plenty of stage room, good accessories, ana a respectable ballet, “Genevieve,” the newest <»f Offenbach’s productions, and certainly the most outrageous, would be immensely funny For pure nonsense, nothing like it is known t» the lyric stage. “ Barbe Bleue ” deserved a Unger run, and would doubtless have enjoyed it, but for the exigencies of management. Wallace’s music is delightful, but it does npt bring grist to the mill like Balfe’s. There were fp]l houses every night “Satauella” and th,e “Bohemian Girl” were played; and it U yvisdom on Mr part to revise the latter for his benefit. The “Lilly of Killarney ? will be chiefly remembered for the excellent op portunity it afforded Mr Templeton of show iug his vocal and histrionic powers ; and for some very pretty scenery from Mr Willis’s hands. A few words as to the company, I

venture to assert that no one ih the profession, who has before visited Dune Ho, has so quickly, but withal firmly, established himself or herself in the good graces and esteem of the theatre-goer, as Mbs Alice May. This is the natural result of her undoubted talent. In Miss May the public of Dunedin have seen a singer whose training has certainly been Colonial, and vrho will date the commencement of her career as a prima derma from' the Australasian stage. Only on it three years, she has succeeded, by the exercise, of indomitable perseverance and hard study, in reaching a front rank, in which, if I have not mi <taken her character she wil achieve still greater successes. That she has immense courage is proved by the fact that during the five we*-k» she has been an»n-.» us she has essayed roles— and in each instance with the utmost credit to herself—in every department of opera. In a word, as an artist and as a woman she will leave a favorable impression behind her ; and a renewal of the : acquaintance at no distant date will be hailed with satisfaction by those who have been as pleased with her manner as delighted with her vocalisation. Miss Lambert, the contralto of the company, has been ever found careful and painstaking; l and is capable of doing much higher things l than we have yet heard her. Then there is Miss Howe, often called upon to fill unthankful parts, but nevertheless executing ■ her task with credit to herself and satisfaction to her audiences, Messrs Hallaur and Rainford have increased the hold theyhither io held on the kindly remembrances o; the Dunedin public ; and Messrs Templeton and Vernoh’s efforts have not been allowed • to pass unacknowledged. Coming to the front of‘ the curtain, 1 take my leave of'the gentlemen of the orchestra and its affable ’ conductor; also of the courteous agent, Mr' kyaus, who is only too glad to oblige those who are associated with him in business. Prompter.