THE SIMONSEN OPERA COMPANY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 241, 2 October 1876, Page 2

THE SIMONSEN OPERA COMPANY.

It would be, perhaps, unfair to minutely criticise the performance of an opera company given but a few hours after the landing of the whole company from a rough sea voyage. It is quite enough to admire the skill and energy which must have been needed to put it upon the stage at all, with its dresses and numerous properties complete, so that no hitch or delay from first to last should be apparent. The house, as is usual on Saturday night, was a moderate one, but very appreciative, if we may judge from the several encores demanded of the chief solos, and which were very cheerfully and kindly responded to by the performers. The opera of " Maritana " is so well known here as to call for no detailed description of the plot or its familiar airs. The principal parts were filled by old favorites, with the exception of Don Csosar, whose character was ably sustained by Mr Florence. This gentleman possesses a tenor voice of an exceptional range, frequently bringing out the upper C with great effect, which, joined with no mean powers of acting, renders him a great addition to the company. The rollicking careless Don has certainly never been better represented here, and the audience warmly showed their appreciation of his efforts, which were especially successful in the well known songs " Yes, let me like a soldier fall," and " There is a flower that bloometh," whilst in the duett with the King " I am the King of Spain," and the beautiful trio " Turn on old time," J?.c equally dfiseryed their applause. The prominent part of Don Jose was taken by Mr Jlodgson, and tlja.t of the Kjng by Mr Harrington, ivho was in excellent voice, and gayc the little which he was permitted to sing of the beautiful song " Hear me gentle Maritana," with an artistic skill which was certainly not surpassed by any other performer throughout. The performance of Miss Lambert was, as usual, excellent throughout; whatever she undertakes is always done conscientiously and thoroughly well. Of the Prima Donna Me need say no more than that Madame Simonsen was in good voice, and sang with all her old energy, and the skill of a true Muzipiim. She is in every sense a real artiste, and so thoroughly identifies herself with the spirit of the character she undertakes that we could Jancy each must have been written especially for her, She was, we need hardly

say, warmly greeted and heartily applauded m every prinicipal piece. The minor parts were efficiently taken, the humor of the Marquis and his fair lady being very well given by Miss Harris and Mr Markham, whose " Shall Aye electrify the company with a saraband?" seemed to tickle the audience immensely. The chorus was careful and correct throughout, and the orchestra again a treat to listen to. Tha performance tonight is Maillard's favorite opera "The Hermit's Bell," a work new to most of us here, but which is spoken of in the highest terms, and which will, we trust, draw a full house.