SIMONSEN'S OPERA COMPANY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 131, 3 June 1881, Page 2

SIMONSEN'S OPERA COMPANY.

Weber's opera " Der Freiscbut-z " was last night performed for the first time before a Nelson audience, and the attraction proved so great tbat tbe Theatre was well filled in every part. It is, throughout, a etrange, weird piece, and by tbe time tbe curtain drops on the third Act, which includes tbe incantation scene, the audience find themselves on terms of the easiest familiarity with ghosts, goblins, ill-favored night-birds, and animals of the strangest type possible to conceive. The music of tlio opera is not of a taking kind, although the Miss Simonsens, with their sweet voices, did tbeir best to obtain for it the appreciation of the audience. We must also say a word of praise on tbeir charming acting as also, as that of Signor Riccardi, who took the part of Caspar, the first Joints tnan. : The well known "Huntsmen's Chorus " was j received with very e& t favor-, abd lm encore j was dema;; 1( j et i mu l granted. The incantation i sce>2e was remarkably well don-?.. In the dreary " wolf's glen " Caspar, with a wild look on his countenance, and pronouncing strange words, formed the centre of a circle of illuminated skulls where he was working his evil spells, while from tbe distance a , chorus of invisible spirits assisted b.y their ! voices iv giving effect to the scene. After a time Max, his rival tn seeking the love of Agatha, meets bim by appointment, and, having promised to remain until tbe end, stands aghast as, in obedience to Caspar's commands, dragons belching forth fire and smoke cross the stage, btits ahd strange birds of every description flap tlieir wing s as they flit ovei. head, skeletons and ghosts appear in every part of the glcil, and finally a shower of fire> -as hfeiivy as the heaviest of tropi- i cal rains, pours down upon the scene, the ! orchestra all tbe time performing the wildest and weirdest, of music. On tbe curtain falling, the ehtnusiasm of the audience know no i bounds, and Mr Briggs, the scenic artist, was loudly called for to receive their congratulations. As there was considerable danger from tbe fire, every precaution had been taken 16 prevent an accident, a hose being laid on ready for use and a section of the Fire Brigade being in readiness to ply the water if required. The performance of the orchestra throughout was excellent, especially in the overture in which M. Simonsen played the first violin. To-night the beautiful opera of "Norma" will be performed, and will, doubtless, attract as numerous an audience as that which assembled last night.