THE OPERA.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 572, 19 April 1876, Page 2

THE OPERA.

[By Semi-Quaver.] Offenbach’s opera bouffe “The Grand Duchess ” was performed last evening, and generally was about as successful as anything yet produced. The audience were in a holiday temper, and the brisk, light, lively music of the opera suited them thoroughly. The opera was well dressed, and capitally put on the stage ; and the orchestra, to whom the composer has given a large amount of woik, indeed the greatest portion of it, were a treat to hear. Madame Simonsen was very successful in the title vole, indeed one begins now to think that in opera bouffe she is even more pleasing than in grand opera. She sung “ The Sabre song” with great spirit and viva city, and also all the lively and martial music which forms so prominent a feature in the first act. I was glad to note the decided appreciation of her finished rendering of “ Say to him,” which deserved the encore it received. She was also very good in the “ Song of the glass.” Miss Lambert played her old part of Wanda, and did so well. The “ Regulation duet” was very archly sung, and generally her acting and singing was good. In the “ Letter song” the Misses Harris, Fisher, Beaumont, and Somers were excellent, and were encored. The choruses were taken with spirit and precision, and the ballet by the Leopold Family was very gracefully done. I did not like Signor Morley’s Fritz so well as his other characters, as he did not infuse enough life into the part. His singing, so far the music went, was excellent; but it is in the more serious operas where he excels. Mr Markham, as Baron Puck, was good, and so also were Messrs Steinbach, Darbyshire, Tomholt, and Levison in their respective parts. Generally speaking, the opera was a success, and I hope to see it again. If it is repeated, I think it would be wise for Mr Simonsen either to commence a quarter of an hour ea lier, or to reduce the intervals between the acts.