THE OPERA.

Evening Star, Issue 4092, 7 April 1876, Page 3

THE OPERA.

A house, crowded in its principal parts, testified last evening their appreciation of the talent and energy of Madame Simonson, which, on more than one occasion this season, have saved a performance from failure. The programme put forward last night was, in .some respects, excellent, in others faulty, but was most inordinately long. A concert and an entire opera in one evening will try the patience of most people. The features of the performance that call for praise are—tot, Mr Simonsen’s violin solos, which, are undoubtedly a great treat. He made two appearances last night, and it is almost needless to say that he was encored each time. Then there was the overture to “William Tell,” which the. orchestra, led by Herr Schott, played with snch admirable precision that the audience persistently redemanded and the march was given a second time. Mr Florence received an encore for. “ I Seek Thee in every Flower,” and substituted “ My Pretty Janebut Ids duet with Mr Barrington, “ The Moon hath raised her Lamp,” was only passable. Mr Markham, who possesses iris comica enough for half-a-dozen people, was irresistably funny in his “Hungry Man.” “La Sonnamhula ” brought the performance to a dose at 12.30 a.m. The opera went very unevenly. In the first act the gas went out suddenly and disconcerted the performers; at times the singers and orchestra were not in accord, and in the third act we thought Madame showed of fatigue. Mr Motley’s solo in the third act was the gem of the opera and a finished effort, which received the recognition it deserved ; and the concerted piece m the second act went very well. Mr Barrington was the Count, and gave “As I view these scenes ” very fairly, but was not too well up in his part; Mr Markham Alossio, which he made much of, and “ gagged” ad lib; Minn Harris i’ame Theresa; and Miss Fisher, for first effort, a tolerable lisa. To-night Maillard’s romantic opera of “The Hermit's Bell ” will bo produced for the first in the Colonies.