AMATEUR OPERA.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1528, 10 January 1879, Page 3

AMATEUR OPERA.

" MARTHA."

Notwithstanding the intense sultriness of the weather, the Theatre Royal last night was filled with a large and fashionable audience, to witness the first representation of " Martha" by Mr H. F. Towle's Amateur Opera Company. The performance throughout was a most gratifying success, and the audience, a very discriminating one, were surprised and excited to a very genuine enthusiasm as the opera progressed. Indeed so efficiently were the parts filled, so excellently balanced the chorus, and the orchestra under such admirable control, that at times it was hard to realise the fact that the performers were only amateurs, undertaking after a very short preparation a tas<k that would tax the ability of a trained company of professional artists. The most captious critic could scarcely find chance for cavilling whero the very ambition of the attempt was so amply justified by the result. The plot of the frolicsome maids of honour of the Court of Queen Anne, who hired themselves as domestic servants, and fell in love with their employers, is bo well known through the frequent representations of the opera in Chrisfcchurch, that it is needless to recapitulate its details, but it has never been given more successfully than it was last night. The rote Of Lady Harriet (Martha) was undertaken by a young lady who made her first appearance upon any stage, but as sho was simply announced in the caste as a lady amateur, it is to be presumed that she wishes her incognita to remain inviolate. Nevertheless, so successful was her debut that she need have but little fear of challenging honest criticism by the publication of her name. The young lady in question, possesses a sweet sympathetic voice, without a great ded of volume, but still, when the natural timidity consequent upon undergoing the crucial ordeal of a first appearance has worn off, capable of being ÜBod to considerable effect in the interpretation of tho lighter leading roles in opera. The version of " Martha " that was given last night differs in some respects from those performed by the professional companies that have visited Christchurch, but the difference consisted more in the transposition of fecae of the numbers und the division of the opera into five apts than in any radical departure from Flotow's original score. This fact, coupled with the absence of any published book of the work, rendered it moro difficult to pick up the various inorceaux as they wore rendered by tho artistes, still the well known special gems were at once recognised and warmly applauded. Signora Venosta was in excellent voice, and lier conception and rendition of the part of Nancy was a thoroughly artistic and satisfactory one and worthy of her high reputation. H< r resonant and rich voice and admirable ekill in t K ? ™V oi ifc were o£ incafeujabla assistance to the opera gentl"" _ v ; and her efforts wore commensuratc-ly appreciated by tho audience. Mr K. ]?. Towle, as Lionel, was at his best, and favorably aB ho ia known us a refined and pleajing singer of classical taste, hia performance last night surprised his friends, who were scarcely prepared to give him credit for tho possession of so much dramatic firo and sustained power. Mr J. W. Marshall might have been a dozen years on the stage for any evidence he gave of his being an amateur operatic artist, and his powerful voice was m<>fc effectivo in the concerted pieces and quartette?, with v/hich the opera abounds. His one song, eulogistic of tho virtues of British law, was givon eon amove, and was an excellent specimen of his jovial and hearty style. Mr E. S. Eilisdon both sang and acted the part of the Sheriff of Richmond with excellent effect, and a great deal ol the liveliness of tho Fair Scene may be pet down to his credit. Hio voieo is well known to bo powerful and melodious, and ho mod it last night to tho best advantage. The last of the principal performers was Mr Walker, who undertook tho character of Sir Tristram Mickleford, and rang the music correctly ; but a little more liveliness and go would be de.-i'"able, and hia voice is scarcely powerful enough for the amount of work he has to go through. Possibly, as diffidence and hashiulnesi arc not polely confined to tho fair sex, ho may h:ivc been suffering a little from nervommefs which he may be "bis to overcome on hia second appearance this evening:. Still, as an amateur effort, hia perform mco was fairly creditable. The three young lady ! amateurs who sustained tho characters of

Molly, Betsy, and Kitty in tho Eichmond Fair scene, sang their several bits with vivacity, and contributed to the general effect. Of course, the goin of the opera, " The Last Rose of Summer," was eagerly looked for, and was given with touching effect by Lady Harriet, the singer b'.'ing honored by a shower of bouquets and the plaudits of the audience. The duet in the second act between Lionel and Plunket was excellently sung by Messrs Towle and Marshall, and also the succeeding quartette by Lady Harriet, Nancy, Lionel, and Plunket. The last was vociferously applauded. In the third act the spinning quartette was the feature end was sung remarkably well, and the same may bo said of the nocturne just before its conclusion. It would be better to finish the act here, which is usually the case, the after chorus being of tho nature of an anti-climax. In the next act Mr Marshall rollicked through the famous Porter song, and the concerted piece, which finished the act, was sung with so much aplomb and fire that the act drop had to be raised on the tableau. The next good thing was the coquettish (on the part of the lady) courting duet in the last act, between Plunket and Nancy, and as given by Venosta and Mr Murshali was one of tho treats of the evening. It richly merited, the applause it received. Mr Towle was very effective also in the duet with Lady Harriet, when he reproaches her for her unfaithfulness, and in this the young lady who sang with him gave evidence, more than on any other occasion, of tho latent capabilities of her voice. She shared the apf lau?e with Mr Towle. The denouement, culminating with the "Last Rose " as a solo and chorus, brought down the curtain on a most genuine success. Great credit is duo to the Lidies and gentlemen of the chorus for the excellent manner in which they acquitted themselves, and tho orchestra deserves the greatest kudos for the itdrnimble manner in which, under the conductorship of Mr R. T. Searcll, they played the music of tho opera. The scenery, especially Richmond Pair, which was painted specially for the occasion, was appropriate, and tho mounting of the piece equally good ; and lastly, the costumes were costly, varied, and in keeping with the period. The opera will bo repeated this evening.