SIMONSEN'S OPERA COMPANY.

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 723, 13 October 1876, Page 2

SIMONSEN'S OPERA COMPANY.

Maillart's opera, " The Hermit's Bell," was produced last evening, and the management certainly deserve very great credit for the way in which, considering the small stage, it was mounted. Iu the part of Rose Moineau, Madame Simonsen ha<S one of those characters in which she fairly revels. She acted the part to the life, and it is needless to say, sang the very pretty music allotted to her very charmingly. The gems of the evening were decidedly " Call me pretty' and " Silvain loves me." The first of these was rendered with a delicacy and purity of style which made it most enjoyable, and it only escaped an encore by the orchestra passing on to the next number. The second of these was also excellently sung. In the trio at the hermitage also, the wonderful flexibilitv of Madame's voice was shown to great advantage in the florid passages sung by her. Her acting in the last scene, where she lays the wreath at the feet of her betrothed, was very good. Miss Beaumont sang the music of Georgette very creditably throughout. Signor Morley was in capital voice and sang well. He rendered the aria " Betray me not" capitally, and was encored. In the duet " Call me pretty," his voice was heard to great advantage, and he also sang " Oh, the happy spring tide" very nicely. Mr Hodgson made a very good Bellamy, being a vast improvement on the former exponent of the character. The choruses went capitally, especially the prayer at the end of the second act. The very effective orchestral music of the opera was most creditably rendered by the band. To-night a very attractive programme is announced, including concert and opera. In the first part all the principal members of the company will sing, and Mr Simonsen will play his violin solos. The opera of " The Bohemian Girl" will conclude the performance.