OPERA CONCERT COMPANY.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 60, 8 May 1878, Page 2

OPERA CONCERT COMPANY.

One of the grandest musical treats ever enjoyed in Palmerston was given on Friday night last, when the Eoyal Italian Opera appeared in the Foresters' Hall. The programme was most judiciously selected, for not only were Meyerbeer, Verdi, Balfe, Rossini, and Gounod largely drawn upon, but the items chosen were admirably blended, alternating from grave to gay, duetts being followed by songs, and balladsby trios, quartettes and quintettes,. After a fantasia on the piano, skilfully executed by Mr Turrell, the vocal por« tion of the oonoert opened with the charming aria, by Grordigiani, "Eco di Babil," in whioh it may be**£^ membered that gifted cantatrice v Mdme*" Nillson has immortalised, herself, th & magnificent music being rendered splendidly by Signora Oaranta Yita; afterjwhioh came a duett from Meyerbeer's .«• Roberta il Dia.voiloj,** in which Signori Qainero. and Tessada. took part. The former is possessed of a powerful though scarcely a sweet tenor, with extraordinary compass, -whioh while rising to the highest notes, never appears to be overstrained. The general effect, however, is somewhat marred by a. tendency to nasal enunciation. Signor Tessada has a fine bass, or more properly speaking, baritone, which was heard to good effect in the duet referred to, but more especially inthe magnificent quintette from Verdi's "Un Ballo in Masohera, n ;We 7 fancy, however, although such a valuable aid in concerted singing* Signor Tessada would not appear to such advantage in. solos, for although, of course, themusic is given with minute correctness* the rendition lacks that animation which att ajlJ time* is a most necessary adjunct. Indeed the same remarks will apply to all the male members off the troupe, and with double force to. Signor VPailadina, who although in possession of a magnificent tenor, apt pears almost oblivious of the fact, and, goes through his part in a 1 mechanical, perfunctory sort of way, leaving the. impression that he has not been heard by any means at his best. This cannot be alleged against the ladies, fornofewithstanding the house was a poor* —and a scahdalpusty unruly one — every item Wfts vociferously and deservedly encored; Stgnora, Caraaitai Vita, i airly brought down the house, hy her reidering "of- Balfe f a plaintivemelody from the; " Bohemian Girl,"" " When other lips," and inresponse to tk recall, surpassed her farmer.' effort by the charming naivete and grace witht which she sang *' Bread and Cheeseand Kisses/' the words being made themore enticing by the broken English off the Signora; Although a* we havesaid, the programme was constituted off the very choicest' pvxrceaux ■ from themoat eminent composers, the palm, must be given to 'Verdi, and the honordivided between the duett by lieonor* and her lover, in the prison scene from, "II Trovatore" and the "Nostri Monti'* from the same; opera, both off whicli were sujperbly given, ;and werea grand treat m themselves. In ad-, dition, however j^th^tbcai portion of' the entertainment,, the performances^! Monsieur Caron upon, the viojihlforflPl noi the least attractive pa_rt of the^ro-. gramme* arid the artistic manner in, which" the " Austrian National. Hymn,'" '• Yankee Doodle/' and other airs wereplayed* stamps him as an artist of the? very highest class. We cannot conclu.de this notice with-, out referring i» the. xety •strongest , possible tetmata the unseemly conduct of a few of the gaJlerjjiortion of theaudience, We ca,n scarcely imagine that there are persons soi maliciously* inclined that they would pay the high price of admit^nce for the solepleasure of destroying the enjoyment of othe^ fc hut such really must be the case, for the libels nj»n. humanity to> whom we harejiayfr rel&rred, actually gloated over the misery and annoyance they were inflicting upon tiie performersanatW pubUc v Were it not for those, brutes in the guise of humanity, th& visitors ta the HalTbn Friday last wouldi have experienced a trea.t not oftento be. met with in Palmerston.