AMUSEMENTS.

Evening Star, Issue 4070, 13 March 1876, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

THE OPERA

The Simonson season opened at the Queen's on Saturday night to a capital attendance. The stalls was the only part of the lionse not well filled: and when it becomes known that the management have determined to keep them select they win be, ns they have been in past seasons, a favorite resort. The circle, for Saturday night, was excellently attended, while the pit was crowded to excess ; so that the management had every reason to bo gratified with the support they received on their opening night. The “ Grand Duchess” was the opera represented. Perhaps it was because Madame Simonson's name is so largely connected with the. introduction, to the Colonies of Offenbach's best known work that it was chosen as the opening piece; bat it Is not calculated to show the company to great advantage. In saying this, we do not include Madame herself. Those who have seen her play the title role in the other Colonies—and there were not a few such present at the Queen’s on Saturday—will admit that the representation is marked by its old characteristics of natural acting and thoroughly artistic vocalisation—qualities that were quickly appreciated by those who .made her acquaintance in operator the first time. Add to this the disadvantages of having to infuse into the other performers a proper amount of warmth, ami oftentimes of having to prompt them—disadvantages inseparable from a performance in which manyof those engaged wek together for thefiist time

—and a consciousness that her auditors had in their Ihind’s eyg & Standard by which they were prepared to gauge her efforts, and it is e&sf to BSS that her task was not a light one. But her artistic poWCM and pluck enabled her to fairly lift the opera from out of its difficulties. If there was in the minds of any a lurking doubt as to the quality, aud capability of her voice her rendition of bSay to Him” most effectually dispelled it. That, was a rare piece of ballad singing; it took the house by storm, and as a necessary cons .qnenoe the song had to be repeated. From that-point to the end of the opera Madame, carried her audience with her. The applause whioh jgTeetod the appearance of Miss Lambert showedtth&ttbe audience was glad to renew her acquaintance. Her voice appears to have strengthened; and of her Wanda it is enough to say that it is os arch |as ever. Of the male characters the principals, with a solitary exception, axe strangers to_ ns, and we 'are not, therefore, disposed to judge them by their performances on .Saturday. Signor... Motley was suffering from a cold, winch almost Veiled his lower .notes; but we_'' occasionally caught indications of his possessing upper notes of much sweetness and power. His foreign accent and stiff feting are greatly against him,] but the .former we may get accustomed to. He is to appear as Edgardo in" Lucia" on.Tuesday night, and then we shall perhaps hear him to greater advantage.- Similarly perhaps Mr Tomholt, , who dressed Boom capitally, save that his head ; gear was; of [uncomfortable proportion; but beds now to the business of the part," hj&t ~ did be succeed in investing it .with that prominence it should have. Mr Steinbach, whoplayed Prince Paul, has a. pleasantJtenor -voice*,, while Jsr .Markham,who ftas Baron Puck, entered thoroughly into- the humor' of the part, which he never/ os some representatives of .the part have done, made boisterous. Mr Levison was; Nepdmuc, which ,he played daring the latter part of the Allen season. Lastly, we have to deal : with‘ the chorus, orchestra, and ballet. In each bf these departments the Simousen troupe i 6 stronger than any company that has yet-visited Dunedin. Thechoros, which includes several familiar faces, is well trained and thoroughly under command. On- Saturday might -all the choruses went with unusual vigor, and the “ Song of the Glass ” received the inevitable encore. The ladies: : who represented the bridesmaids in the third; act, gave the ptetty waltz-chobos in such a-manner as to win. for it a hearty and deserved encore: . The orchestra led by Mr .Simonsen, comprises m .'ny first class names/ as Schott, Richardson, Stoneham, Hellas; &0., which are a guarantee of its excellence; Then there is a ballet, in which the Leopold family, take part; and it is needless to say that anything they. undertake .is done well. “ The Grand Duchess ” is to be repeated to-night. THE CIRCUS. The Circus was well patronised on Saturday evening, when the previous night’s programme waS »• peated. “Dick Turpin’s Ride to York” will be , given to-night, with an entire change of programme.

BLONDIN’S BERFORMASCE

' There were about 1,700 persons.present at Blondin’s opening performance in Ms monster tent at Kensington on Saturday. ; The afternoon was beautifully fine, there being scarcely a breath of wind, and the rope was as tight as possible. ..After his ascent, or “ grand march " as it is termed, Blondin appeared as an acrobat, and walked half-way . across the rope. Then he did some balancing, stood .bh his head; 'and threw his legs about with marvellous ease. Some somersaults were followed by the ChevalieT’e apr peamnce in a sack, and his blindfold Walk, across the rope. Cooking on omelette was the next, .performouce, but this was undoubtedly his easiest feat. With a cooking range and the necessary appliance&hi walked to the centre of the rope, and there the omelette, wMch was apparently greatly relished by the few who partook of -it. The chair-trick was the cleverest thing done. With only two legs npoi the rope he balanced tbe chair quite easily, and sot upon it .with os much indifference as though he were on an ordinary seat. Ho then stepped over the back of seat' on to .the; rope. His secretary, AT. Niaud, next; ascended the rope, got on to Blondin's back and was carried over the rope. A halt was Made before the journey was finished, Niand (who-exhibited great xntrepedity) lifting his hat in answer to tue frequent : plaudits showered on the Cheya ier.V - The bicycle ride brought the afternoon’s performance to a close-; the expressions i)f approval of BlOndin’s skill and agility being universal. Another performance was given this afternoon, when Blondiii played flomb lively tunes on a harmonium while perched bn his high seat. Gas is being carried to the building, and when it is properly hud on night performances will be given.