THE OPERA.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 136, 6 November 1874, Page 2

THE OPERA.

“MARTHA.” Last night was produced in Christchurch for the first time by Mr Allen’s company, Flotow’s opera of “Martha.” The public were evidently anxious to see an opera that was new to many of them, and consequently the company had a full house to perform to. There ia a good deal o£ scenic effect in “ Martha,” and the smallness of the stage in our present apology for a theatre, must have been a great annoyance to those interested in the production of the opera. As far as the vocal music itself is concerned, Miss Alice May, as is usual in her impersonations, did full justice to the composer, and rendered her allotted songs in her usual successful manner. The part of Martha also affords good scope for the exhibition of Miss May’s histrionic abilities, and in consequence the part may be taken as being one of our prima donna's greatest successes. The managers of the company seem to be aware of this too, as we notice that the opera is announced for representation again to-morrow night. Every operatic star that we have heard, at some time or another gives the public her rendering of that old song “The Last Rose of Summer,” and Miss Alice May is no exception to the rule. She was entirely successful in it last night, and was compelled to respond to an encore, which she complied with by singing the latter portion of the song over again. Miss May was also quite at home in the ballad of “Robin Adair,” and an encore was again demanded, this time, however, without effect. Miss Lambert may be congratulated on her success in the part of Nancy, and she was more especially effective in those parts of the opera which required the exhibition of a woman’s coquetry. Mr Hallam was well suited in his part of Lyonuel, and the audience were not slow to recognise the merits of his singing, in the solo “Ah! how fair,” more especially, but throughout the opera, marks of approbation were constantly exhibited by his admirers in the house.

Mr Templeton also has already firmly established himself as a warm favourite in Christchurch, and not without good reason, as he spares no pains to do justice to the parts allotted to him. His Plunkett was a thoroughly satisfactory performance, especially in the quartette in the “ spinningwheel scene, 1, in which he was in remarkably good voice. With regard to the rest of the company, Mr Vernon made a good Sir Tristam, and Mr Levison, as the Mayor of Richmond, did, what he had to do, well. The choruses went unequally, some of them being very good, but those in the first act were hardly as good as usual. The opera announced for to-night is our old favourite “The Bohemian Girl,” which is certain to draw a good house.