THE OPERA.

Evening Star, Issue 3730, 5 February 1875, Page 2

THE OPERA.

The “ Rose of Castile ’* was played by the English Opera Company to a full house last evening, and, viewed in every light, was fully equal to anything that has been given by them. The scenery, dresses, and furniture were rich and appropriate, the acting was good, and the singing excellent. Miss Alice May, as Elvira, m her dual character of the peasant girl and Queen of Castile, ass’imed either with equal grace and propriety of expression. The light, flond music was given with a facility of execution and truth of intonation that place her at onee in the front rank of prime dome. Many of the passages were intricate and difficult, but every one was mastered with the utmost ease, and in the pretty ballads she sang with touching pathos and cultivated taste. Mr Hallam personated Manuel, and both sang and acted with spirit and propriety. In his duets with Elvira, and m the trios and quartetts in which he had to take part, he was very effective. Mr Templeton appeared as Don Pedro, and fulfilled his Part very carefully and with good judgment. We like his conception of the character, for villains often are very gentlemanly in their bearing, and do not wish to be thought otherwise than very worthy fellows. He was more than once encored. Miss Howe had not much u t iportnnity of doing anything needing remark, but she mauo i’ic most of her part as Donna Carmen, Messrs Lester and Vernon should not be overlooked in the list of those worthy of commendation. They were the Don Elorio aml Don Sallust of the piece. A few false notes by the unseen nuns were the only drawback to the otherwise almost perfect representation of the) piece, and they sounded the more harshly' through the rest having gone off so smoothly. To-night II Trovatore will be given.