THE OPERA.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1850, 27 January 1880, Page 3

THE OPERA.

The interest excited by I! Carmen” does not appear, judging from last night’s house, to be on the wane, but gms proof that the Christchurch public are alive to the necessity of forming an opinion founded upon more thnn one hearing of u work embracing so many different forme, each of which is of such a distinct nature us to give rise to the doubt whether it left the hands of the composer in jits present state. No great individuality can bo said to attach to it, for we perceive strains suitable to every degree of music ; now a recitative of a severe type, now a balled as iu the “ Sequidille ” in the first act, at the entry of Carmen in the third act; now a glee, as in the third act after the shuffling of cards; now an anthem, as in act three at Escamilla’s air " Oh ! my heart,” and in the duet in the fourth act between Carmen and Eseamillo, “If you love me ; ” now instrumentation of a most weird character, ns in the second and third acts, especially at the commencement of the latter, and where Carmen learns her fate by the cards. The judgment of the English press appears to favor the music of tho second act as being of the meat artistic value, but it is evident that the quintette is tho only thing in that act that can lay claim to that title. The Toreador’s song led up to by some effective instrumentation is a fine bold song, and in ihe hands of Signor Verdi receives full justice, but more than that cannot be said of it. In fact one tires of it before the close of the evening, for it follows the bull-fighter wherever he goes. Tho saving points of the opei a are mostly the music that Micaela is entrusted with, and which is full of beauty in many places, possessing an air of refinement and grace which appeals to one’s feelings in a very marked way. The air, “ Your dear mother said to to me,” in the duett with Don Jose, “ This is the place,” and “ I come to seek thee” are telling instances. Madame Hersee’s acting of last evening was her best effort since “Carmen” was produced here, especially in the first and second acts, in which she realised the irrepressible gaiety of the character without bringing too forward its suggestivonees. In the “ La Habanera ” she secured a greater success than formerly. Miss Royal, as Miciela, sang the music allotted to that part with great feeling and pathos, and although she did not appear in such good voice as on Saturday night, shewed that she had established herself ‘in the estimation of the public. Mr Beaumont was in as good form as ever, and his acting, especially in the fourth act, disdayed a great intensity of feeling. Signer Verdi again raised the enthusiasm of the audience to tha highest pitch in his Toreador’s song, which suits him as well as anything ho has yet done. To-night “Ls Sonnnmbula ” is to be given.