THE OPERA.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 575, 22 April 1876, Page 2

THE OPERA.

[By Semi-Quaver.]

Bellini’s charming opera of "La Somnambula ” was produced last evening very successfully, and to a good house. The me Indies of the opera are so well known and so thoroughly apnreciated that one could enjoy to the fullest extent the very admirable manner in which they were rendered Madame Simonsen sang the part of Amina capitally throughout, and her acting also was very good Her rendering of the aria “ While this heart,” was perfect, and in the chamber scene also she sang “ I am not guilty ” with great pathos and expression. The somnambulist scene was also very finely sung,

All through the very peculiar music which occurs here Madame sang with a freshness and execution which was very pleasing. The finale “Do not mingle ” was also well sung. Having said so much of Madame’s merits as a singer, let me give her a well deserved word of praise for her really excellent acting throughout the opera, The coquettish piquancy which is the attribute of Amina’s character in the first act, and the despair of one unjustly accused, which is the key to the character in the later acts, were all brought out with great fidelity by Madame Simonsen, and as an actress as well as a singer, she was equally good, M'ss Minna Fisher made her debut —that is in any part of importance—last night as Lisa, and I must say made a very good impression. She was very good indeed in some of the scenes, and her music was well and carefully sung. I think that once Miss Fisher gets rid of a little nervousness, she will be a decided acquisition to the company. Signor Morley as Blvido sang very well indeed, particularly in “ Take now this ring,” which was prettily sung. He sang “All is lost now” with much pathos and expression, and deserved the hearty plaudits he received. Mr Barrington, who played Count Rodolpho, was good alike in singing and acting. He has a good stage presence and melodious voice, and last night he made a very favorable impression. His best efforts were, “ Maid, those bright eyes,” and “ As I view,” but he was also very good in the concerted music of the opera. Mr Markham was very funny as Alessia, without being too much so. The choruses all went well, especially the phantom chorus, and I was glad to notice the evident desire to sing in the chorus in the Count’s room, although some of the voices had very hard work to subdue their tones, The opera was very nicely dressed, and the last scene was well put on. A very pretty ballet, “ The Spanish Dancers,” very nicely done by the Leopold Family, and the corps de ballet, concluded the performance.