THE OPERA.

Evening Star, Issue 3740, 17 February 1875, Page 2

THE OPERA.

The Princess’s Theatre was filled in every part last night, on the occasion of Miss Alice May’s benefit, and for which a first-rate programme had been arranged. The performance commenced with Donizetti’s charrainp opera “ The Daughter of the Regiment,” which, as with all the productions of this company, was well put on the stage. Marie was of course represented by Miss May, and that most worthily, h»r archness and vivacity finding plenty of scope in the character of the lighthearted vivandiere; while the music allotted to the part was perhaps never better rendered here, Miss May being in excellent voice. The air, “ List what I say,” was given with due spirit, the chorus being also effective ; and “ Oh, this love,’’the sparkling duet between Marie and Tonic, was faultless. Miss May’s acting was very natural throughout the whole scene, which wound up with the pathetic air, “Farewell companions.” In the second act she introduced “Robin Adair” and Mr G. B. Allen’s ballad “ Andy Bawn,” both of which were heartily applauded. The patriotic aria in this act was also well and energetically given by Miss May. Mr HaVam’s Tonio was well played throughout, he causing a good deal of amusement as the raw recruit ; while vocally, he was perhaps best in “ When for a moment” and “That I might be,” though we fancied he was suffering slightly from hoarseness. Mr Rainford scarcely pleased us with his conception of the part of Sergeant Sulpice, though his voice told well in the concerted nieces with which the opera abounds, especi iuiy in the finale to the first act. Miss Howe, as the hj id not a great deal to do, nor had Miss Hams, .k 'he Marchioness; and, as regards the latter, ii m., ; have been better had her part been less prominent. Mr Vernon was amusing as Hortensius, anil Mr Mitchell did good service as the Corporal. The act.im a the opera dragged a good deal at times, otherwise the performance was satisfactory. At its conclusion, Miss May and Mr T. Bracken appeared, and the latter read an eulogistic address, written by himself for the occasion, in which the powers and effects of Miss May’s delineations of various operatic heroines were appropriately referred to. It was received with loud applause, and Miss May warmly thanked Mr Bracken for his kind and well-timed compliment, at the same time expressing her fear that it was scarcely deserved. Mr Bracken fervidly assured her that he meant every word he had written, and the curtain descended amid expressions of hearty approval from the audience. The chorus of the company then gave Sir Henry Bishop’s beautiful glee, “The Chough and Crow,” most capitally, the solo parts being taken by Miss Howe, Mrs Benham, and Mr Benham. The entertainment concluded with Offenbach’s “ The Blind Beggars,” in which Messrs Vernon and Newton were very amusing. To-night “ La Sonnambula” will be produced, and as the company have much improved since their first arrival in New Zealand, a much better representation of the opera may be expected than that given when they were here last. Mr M. Raphael, agent to the company, left for Invercargill in the Tararua to-day, to arrange for a season of fourteen nights in that town, after which they return to Melbourne.