THE OPERA.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 568, 13 April 1876, Page 3

THE OPERA.

[By Semi Quaver 1

The Simonsen Opera Company gave Donizetti's " Lucia " last evening to a somewhat poor house, a circumstance which I think was due in a great measure to insufficient notice, and an unwise parsimony in the matter of advertising. In view of the high prices of admission, and the fact of the strong opposition in the shape of Blondin, I am afraid that the business will not be so good ns it might be.

Of last night's performance, before proceeding to speak more in detail of the various items, T may say that it was thoroughly successful, taking into consideration too the fact that the company had only been a few hours off the steamer ; and it gives promise of something a great deal better when they get into full working order. The orchestra is perfect throughout, every member of it being thoroughly up in the details of his work and doing it well. The strings, particularly last evening in some of the passages, played with a delicacy of tone which left nothing to be desired. Mr Stoneham deserves notice for the admirable manner in which he played the flute obligate Mr Foster, the pianist, also deserves notice for way he discharged his onerous duties. The orcrestra have one great advantage, and that is possessing a conductor who, while working with a firm hand, yet knows how to give way and to work with the artiste who

is singing, a great gift which many conductors do not posses?. "Lucia" wan, to my miud, a capital selection, as it afforded both Madame Simonssu and Signer Oarmini Morley a very good opportunity of showing to the be-it advantage their talents, both vocal and histrionic. Roth parts are essentially emotional, the music is dramatic in the extreme, and each of the principals have several solos of equal beauty. Madame Rimonsen's Lucia was a great treat throughout. Her voice is full, round, ami exceedingly flexible, with great range and distinctness of articulation. Added to this she is an actress of high talent, as evinced in the mad scene, which closes the third act, which was a really magnificent piece of acting, and received deserved appreciation from the audience. The opening cavatina, " la silence all lay slumbering." which serves to introduce Lucia, was splendidly sung by Madame Simonsen, and at once assured her position with her audience. The recitative and duet which forms the finale, "By the ashes of my father," was well taken, the voices blending capitally, and the concluding bars were well worked up. In the recitative and duet, " Thy cheek is blanched with terror," Madame Simonsen both sang and acted excellently, and indeed all through this act the very difficult and florid music was rendered by hercharmsngly. But it was in the celebrated mad scene that Madame Simsonsen achieved her triumph. Tn this she gave a life-like picture of the hapless Lucia bereft of reason, yet still clinging to the one thought that she was once more with the man she so fondly loved. The aria "At last I'm thine love," and the dramatic music following was given in a highly artistic manner. Where all was so good, it is difficult to select one item for special commendation ; but I may do so for the beautiful and touching "Cast on my grave a flower," which went excellently. Madame Simonsen also I noticed in one of the passages of this act. introduced a very beautiful improvisation of remarkable rapidity, which was rendered with a clearness and correctness which showed Madame to be a cultivated musician. Altogether her "Lucia" was a very fine performance indeed, and she achieved a decided success. Rignor Morley fairly divided the honors of the evening with Madame. His rendering of the very difficult part of Edgardo, both as regards the music and acting, was artistic throughout. His voice is a very good one, somewhat heavy for a tenor perhaps, but then this may bo because we have been used to such drawing-room voices as Mr Hallam's. It is sympathetic to a degree, perfectly under control, and the most difficult and intricate passages are executed apparently without effort. He was very good in the quartette, " What, from vengeance," and also in the concerted music with Madame he was exceedingly successful. The wellknown finale, " To earth I bid a last farowell." was given with great pathos and effect. Signor Morley deserves very great praise for the admirable manner in which he played and sung in a very difficult part. Mr Richardson as Henry Ashton was fairly good throughout, the music appearing rather heavy for him ; and Mr Barrington sang the one aria which Bide-the-Brent has, capitally, The other characters were well filled. Of the choruses, I may say they went well generally, particularly " Hail to the happy bridal day," and "With warlike minstrelsy," both of which went very smoothly. What is possible to be done to the Theatre in the way of cleaning, &c, has been done under the superintendence of Mr Eastwood, and generally the arrangements for seating, &c, are good.