AMUSEMENTS.

Evening Star, Issue 4073, 16 March 1876, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

. THE CIECUS. ; , The large marquee of Wilson’s Circus was again > well filled last night, when a programme' similar to the previous night’s was repeated, “ Dick Turpin’s Hide, to York ” bringing a capital entertainment to a close. Airec’s ladder actopthe horizontal bar is one of the most extraordinary balancing feats we have -ever witnessed. Mr Morgan, the bare-back rider, takes a benefit to-idght, and, judging by the frequent appUuse which greets him nightly, he has established himself as a prime favorite. It is, therefore, reasonable to expect; that his appeal will be. largely responded to. ; BLONDIN’S PERrOEMAfiTCE. ÜBlondin’s "first night performance was gfveti last evening in his monstonenclosure'at-Kensington, when there were about 1,400 persons present. Inconsequence, of the increased pressure on the rope the supports had to be considerably strengthens. The performance was announced to commence at* eight o’clcck, but the first half hour was diSvotod to letting off variegated sky-rockets, Catherine wheels, fiery dragons, and other fireworks of more than orninary beauty., The Chevalier commenced his programme with his triumphal inarch, which was fol- • lowed by his blindfolded ascent. He then carried M. Niaud across the rope on his back, and afterwords wont, over it with two large cane baskets on, his feet. These feats were made very effective by the skilful use of lime-light. Bloudin next appeared as a “ Fire King," and wheeled before him a barrowload of fireworks. On reaching the centre of the rope the gas jets wore lowered, and JJlondin ignited the combustibles which enveloped him. In; the midst of a blazing fl inm of fire he discharged rockets and other fireworks. To convey in words an idea .of the really exquisite sight which .‘SOW presented itself is utterly impossible; and weeauonly say to our readers, “ Go an t see jt for yourselves.’’ Suffice it to say that the audience weife ope and all delighted With the entertainment; and that the • plaudits showered on Blopdin throughout his mar- ’ yellpue performance were loud a»d‘frequent. Some tqrsnni from the outside of, the luUdiijg, J y hpld the vague notion that by seeing some of the rockets discharged in the air frpm .the the tent they had had airgbod tt vieyv bf-'the' show ns those inside j but they were entirely mistaken, »ndh visit to the entertainment will thoroughly;remove this misconception. We have no hesitation inpionoonningJjj.at night’s sight,the prettiest, we have ever witnessed ini punedih,' Ihe beautifinly' cam night materially aiding s|e Qhevalier in the suoebgg of his performance. Jjyrtnfo eotgrfojpßjent - will be given tbjg evening.

THE OPEEA.

\ Montana ” slionld drat? a full house is the natural consequence of its popularity; but the re* presentation that the Simonson Company gave us tv * was not wholly satisfactory. As with uie Grand Duchess,” there were too many indhHK .uons of hasty rehearsal and improper ■ again Madame had to bear more than her famsbare I ■nT° r • 9? 03Q inequalities more anon i' we 1 will begin with what is fairly deserving of commendation. In the title vile Madame is asrain" seen to the utmost advantage. Her vocajisa- ; tion .throughout, from the opening romance addoria to finale, wos excellent, and bdfactmg in the-earlier scenes marked by a proper amount of archness. “ Scenes that are brightest” hit ?he audience's taste most; but the duett Sainted Mother” was, in our opinion, much finer. The aria was, we admit, splendidly sung, with perhaps a little too much ornamentation, and Fv *^?J ie3e r red the encore it received, but in Madamo-and Miss -Lambert* blended admirably, and we thought it was rendered faultlessly. Miss Lambert filled ber old part ?%. •hazarillo, and did so in a manner that left nothing te be desired. "Alas I Those Chimes” *9? “cely sung as to cause a unanimous-demand for repetition; waS'feprefee4ted’‘b¥' Mr Charles H. Florence, who last night debntted on any operatic stage. From the‘accounts that had reached us of this gentleman, we, expected to hear something good; and he more -than realised Our expectations. Nature has endowed him with a;voice.of .great sweetness, power, and range; he has good ; flgure' ana presence'; and if ha will - only be at pains to acquire a‘ knoW» ledge of stage business and ; action, he ■ is ceft tain .to command for himself a splendid position on the lyric stage. The quality'oi bis voice ’was fully demonstrated in Let me • like a Soldier Fall,” the 1 final notes, of which, he takes on octave. higher they are written, and ascends to C with surprising eaSer (En passant, the orchestraplayed the introduction and accompaniment with, raze spirit'.)! This effort brought down the house, and the audiences, in an excess of enthusiasm. , seemed inclined to ask for it a third time. “ There is a Flower that Bloometh ” met with a similar reception. The ease and finish- with - which the two ballads were sung showed how accustomed Mr Florence is to them. Not the least successfuTof his efforts was the duet "Oh, MaritanaJ”_in the third act, which was not appreciated as it deserved to be. The part of the King gives little opportunity for singing,: but _Mr Barrington mode the most of- “ Gentle Montana,”, which was mnch applauded.' His .acting, however; is very steamed. ' Tlus ; i6, : indeed, a great fault with most of the company,' but time will correct it. .. .The Don Jose was a negative representation throughout. We are disposed to make every allowance for a beginner; but Mr Hodgson will have much to do us a singer and actor to, remove the unfavorable impression he created last night. In “ Happy Moments,” lie was ■ only partially successful, aud oftentimes was scarcely audible to those at the back of the circle. The choruses were, on the whole, good, but " What mystery ” we have heard go mnch .better. There was much moat noticeable omie-' sion being the cavatina This heart by woe o’ertaken,’ andat.times-the.bandplayed.too loud. Mr Schott conducted, and. Mr Thomson played- Very' nicely the Violin obligato to the aria tor the harineeds only to he stated, in conclusion, that Madame. Simonsen aud Mr Florencedivided the honors of -the evening, each|recefving bouquets and calls before the curtain at the end of each act. ‘ Maritana ” will he repeated this evening.-