AMUSEMENTS.

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 729, 20 October 1876, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

CANTERBURY MUSIC HALL. The success which has attended the production and support of "Transported for Life" must be very gratifying to the author, Mr G. Darrell, and the large and enthusiastic audiences which nightly assemble at the above Hall, clearly show that the piece, as a colonial dramatic production, is highly appreciated. Last night the house was literally crammed, every available seat being occupied. The drama was played very successfully throughout, and the audience testified their tokens of approval by repeated outburts of applause. The same bill will be repeated this evening. The management have in active rehearsal " Life in the Back Woods" and " The Rose of Auvergne," which will shortly be produced. SMONSKN'S OPERA COMPANY. The attendance at the Oddfellows' Hall last evening, though by no means commensurate either to the talents of Madame Simonsen or the attraction of the programme provided, was yet an improvement on the houses during the season. It will always remain as a standing reproach to us in Ohristchurch, who are wont to vauntourloveforrnusic, that night after night operas have been put on the stage carefully, and the music sung artistically, to a beggarly array of empty benches. Madame Simonsen in particular had strong claims to the support of our residents. Appearing night after night of the season in the principal parts of the operas, her acting and singing has been artistic and finished in the highest degree, and therefore it was only her due that on the occasion of her benefit the public should, if not on any other occa sioa, have filled the hall to overflowing. The first part of last night's programme con. slated of a concert. This waa opened by the overture to "Martha," oriL'ply and well played by the orchestra. Miss Bomers fol« lowed with an aria from " Lea Huguenots"

entitled "Sweetly the breath of morning," ' which was very nicely sung. Mr Florence, who was in good voice, sang "My pretty Jane" admirably, and in response to an encore gave " Alice where art thou" in a manner well deserving the plaudits which greeted it. Mr Simonsen's violin solo " The bird on the tree" wan a great treat. In this the song of the bird was reproduced with great fidelity, and the whole piece was a fine display of instrumentation. He was accompanied by Madame on the piano very nicely. In response to loud calls he played a marvellously faithful reproduction of the Scotch bagpipes on the violin, introducing one or two well known airs. Miss Fisher sang "The beating of my own heart" capitally. The ballad is one which afforded scope for the display of her sweet voice, and her execution was also very good. Mr Markham closed the programme with a very humorous song, which was well rendered. The operatic selections afforded an opportunity of seeing the versatility of Madame Simonsen. The three parts in which she appeared, though differing widely from each other, were all rendered in a highly artistic manner. They opened with the last act of " II Trovatore." In the aria "Borne on the roßy wings of love," Madame sang excellently. The terzetto and finale " Ah, haste thee," waß also finely rendered. Miss Lambert sang "Home to our mountains" well, and was also good in the concerted music. Signor Moiley Bang "Ah che la morte" capitally, and was also good in the duet with Leonora which precedes the finale. Mr Barrington sang what little music he has carefully. In the last act of " The Bohemian Girl" Madame gave us " See at your feet" excellently, and Mr Florence deserves praise for his rendering of " Then you'll remember me " and " The fair land of Poland," which was encored. The trio "Thro* the world " went capitally, Mr Levison singing his part with taste and effect. The gem of the evening, however, waß the act from "Martha," containing, as it does, the spinning wheel quintette, " The Last Bobo of Summer," and the "Good night" quartette. Madame sang the second of this with great taste and sweetness, deserving to the full the loud applause she received. The duet " From his eyes," went capitally, Signor Morley singing excellently, and he was also good in the scena, " What spell enchanting." The " Good night" quartette which closed the act was sung well. Miss Lambert and Mr Barrington deserve credit for their efforts in this act. To-night the orchestra take a benefit, when we hope to see a full house. They have discharged their onerous duties well, and the programme they put forth is one which, apart from this, should ensure a large attendance. Herr Schott will play one of hiß oboe solos; Mr Foster, the clever pianist of the company, will not only play a piano solo, but will appear as a vocalist, and Mies Fisher, Signor Morley, Mr Florence, Mr Barrington, and others, will take part in a concert, in which Mr Stoneham will play his trombone obbligato to " The heart bowed down." The opera of " Lucrezia Borgia" will conclude the performance. BABBADOES STREET HALL. The concert given last evening at the Barbadoes street hall was a great success. The hall was crowded by a large and fashionable audience, and the enthusiastic approval with which each item was received, must have been very encouraging to those who gave their services for the object in view. The concert opened with a grand duet from " Masaniello," by Madam and MiBS Winter, showing the power of execution possessed.by both these ladies. The duet from La Favorite, " Vien Tutt oblio per te," by Miss Phcebe and Mr Melchor Winter, was exceedingly well given, the young lady showing wonderful range for so young a contralto, by finishing with, her father in upper B flat. Mr A. P. Sheath's Italian boat song " Oh! hear the wind blow" (Mattei), though carefully given, was somewhat new to the audience, and thus not so much appreciated as its rendering deseived. Miss Winter's "Gay Gitana" (Levoy), after Maritana, could hardly have failed to have pleased the audience, which it did thoroughly. Miss Phcebe Winter sang the ever welcome ballad " Come back to Erin," in a manner that appealed to many of her audience and obtained for her quite an ovation. Mr Winter received an encore for the descriptive song " Newfoundland dog," and gave " Sweet home." The laughing trio "I'm not the queen," by Misses and Mr Winter was also encored. The duet "Of fairy wand" (Maritana), by Miss Winter and Mr A. P. Sheath, was very carefully taken. Madame Winter acted as accompanist during the first portion of the programme, and her final piano solo " Harmonious blacksmith," was played with her well known ability. The evening's amusement concluded with Sullivan's comic operetta of " Oox and Box," which was capitally put on the stage, the scenic appointments being far superior to what is generally seen at amateur entertainments. The gentlemen who filled the three characters were thoroughly at home in their respective parts, and succeeded in sending the audience away in the best of humors. The result of the concert (as the prices of admission had been raised on this occasion) will be a very substantial addition to the school fund.