AMUSEMENTS.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 593, 13 May 1876, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

THE OPERA COMPANY. Simonsen’s Opera Troupe, who have occupied our Theatre for the last four weeks, close the season to-night with * ‘ La Eille de Madame Angot,” the only new opera, excepting the trifle “Hermit’s Bell,” they have produced for their patrons. Considering the adoption by the management of an unwise parsimony in the matter of publicity thereby depriving a large section of the community of knowing such a description of entertainment was in our midst, we think the venture has been a success. Of course many shortcomings on the part of prominent members of the company have been considerately overlooked by the critics 'employed on the morning papers, and taking into account the heterogeneous nature of the available material in Melbourne, from which the management had to make their selection, we think the members of the company have done exceedingly well. ‘ ‘ La Fille de Madame Angot” has undoubtedly been the most enjoyable piece they have presented, and Madame Simonsen as Clariette comes very nearly to the standard of D’Anka Rita Loseby, Hersee and others who have made this particular character so famous. The Melbourne Entr'acte of the 22nd ultimo, says:— Mr T. W. Keith, manager of Simonsen’s opera company, sends us a few notes from Dunedin, New Zealand. They played “ La Fille de Madame Angot” seven nights, and it was a big hit. A new and very taking opera called “Hermit’s Bell” pleased the Dunedin folk greatly. Florence, the tenor, formerly of U.S. Minstrels, did extremely well in “ Marltana” and “ Bohemian Girl,” making himself a great favourite. Miss Lambert, Morley, Albert Kichardson, Hodgson, and Barrington are highly popular too. Barrington is a Melbourne gentleman, quite fresh to the stage; Levison plays his old parts. Mr Keith says that Simonsen will make a lot of money in New Zealand if the business continues as good as it has been. The company will play a mouth at Christchurch, and then return to Dunedin. “The Hermit’s Bell” is reported on as being so good that it would run a month if produced iu Melbourne. Mr Keith concludes. “ All the company are well and happy.” We arc glad to hear such good news from absent friends. Simonson’s venture was very plucky. So think we. MDLLE. ILMA DE MURSKA. The musical, and indeed even the nonmusical portion of our community may look forward with confidence to one of the greatest treats yet offered them in the advent of Mdlle lima de Murska, This renowned artiste has achieved a world-wide fame as a vocalist of pre eminent brilliancy and extraordinary power. When it is considered that Mdlle de Murska sings the whole of the very intricate and difficult music of “ The Carnival of Venice,” those who have not heard her marvellous execution may form some idea of the capacity and quality of her voice. Besides this, Mdlle de Murska has in her. repertoire pieces which are as brilliant and effective as the one alluded to, notably, the celebrated Hungarian Pastoral Song which created such a furore in Melbourne, when sung by her there. We feel certain it needs no words of ours to ensure this gifted lady a warm re-

ception at the hands of the Christchurch public, a reception that will show her that, though perhaps remote from the great centres'of civilisation, we have not lost our capacity of admiration for talent, more especially when it is of so high a class as that of Mdlle lima de Murska. The assistants of Mdlle also are wellknown as first-class musicians. Signor Susini, the basso, has won for himself a high reputation, and tothetalentsof Signor Rosnati, the tenor, we ourselves can bear witness as he was prime tenore for two seasons with the Gagli Italian Opera Company here. Signor Qiammona brings with him golden opinions as to the merits of his flute playing, which is spoken of in the highest possible terms by those capable of judging. Last but not least Mr John Hill, the pianist, and who is also a violinist of no mean repute, comes to us as it were unknown, but he also brings with him a Victorian reputation which leads us to expect great things from him. It will thus be seen that the company, though small in quantity, is rich in quality, and we confidently predict that here as in Australia and Dunedin, the season will be a complete success. Mdlle de Murska has made arrangements to give her first concert in the Oddfellows’ Hall on the 26th inst, coming overland from Dunedin, as she has arranged to give two concerts in Oamaru. On Tuesday evening last Mdlle de Murska opened the new Princess’s Theatre with great eclat, and since then, on Thursday evening, in addition to the concert, the mad scene from “ Lucia ” has been given in costume. Mr Metcalfe, Mdlle’s agent, will be here in a day or two, in order to make arrangements as to seats, &c. ME. CHAS. BRIGHT’S ENTERTAINMENT. Mr Bright’s entertainment last evening at the Oddfellows’ Hall was a decided success, both pecuniarily and otherwise, the hall being filled to excess, and the various items on the programme being given with great eclat. The first item was a lecture by Mr Bright, entitled “ A Description of a certain Race of Barbarians.” In this Mr Bright, in a cleverly and skilfully satirical resume of the manners and cu tons of the present day, managed to hit. off to the life many of the foibles and follies of the present age. The lecture was interspersed with a vein of humonr and anecdote which made it very enjoyable. This was followed by the recitation by Mrs Hoskins of Bell’s poem, “ Mary, Queen of Scots.” In this the poet has with much fidelity depicted the chequered career of the ill-fated lady who during so stormy a period occupied the throne of the Stuarts, and for this very reason there is ample scope for the display of elocutionary talent. We must congratulate Mrs Hoskins upon the success attendant upon her efforts to pourtray to her audience the varied and changeful scenes of which the poem is composed. The lighter portions opening the poem descriptive of the peaceful calm of convent life, the gay scene of the Court of Bourbon, the short but eventful reign, the tragedy of the murder of Bizzio, and the last s id scene of all ending with the scaffold; all these by the finished elocution and dramatic power of Mrs Hoskins were brought vividly before the mind of the auditor. At its conclusion, Mrs Hoskins received quite an ovation, which was continued until she returned and bowed her acknowledgments. Mr Hoskins followed with ah admirable discourse, developing one of the unseen characters of Shakspere. We only again regret that the inexorable demand on our space prevents even giving a resume of what was really a rich intellectual treat. After passing a glowing eulogium on the genius of Shakspeare r with all the enthusiasm which only a true: disciple of that great master could feel, Mr Hoskins, in a few masterly touches, from the few sentences spoken by the grave digger and Eamlel, reproduced to the audience! almost as it were in real presence, Yoricfcc the King’s Jester, bringing out in strong; relief the salient points of his character;. We are conscious that only imperfectly and! faintly we have been enabled to give an outline of what was really, taken as a whole, the very best entertainment ever given in Christchurch. The chair was occupied by Mr Hoskins, who in his introductory remarks stated that of the many parts played by him in his time, that was the first time be had appeared in the character of chairman. At the conclusion of the programme Mr Bright tendered nis thanks te Mrs and Mr Hoskins for their generous assistance, to which he attributed the overflowing house.