THE OPERA.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4119, 3 June 1874, Page 2

THE OPERA.

“THE LILT OE KILLAHJfFT.” Last night Benedict’s romantic opera of “The Lily of Killarney” was performed by the English Opera Company. It is the story of “The Colleen.Bawn” set to music, and the libretto follows the outline of the novel very faithfully, the great cave scene, as iu the drama, being one of the chief sensations of the opera. It depends for its interest chiefly on the dramatic character of the incidents, for the music is comparatively commonplace. There is little or nothing iu it racy of the soil, recalling— The harp that once through Tara's halls The soul of music shed." Though there are but few melodies, or snatches of melody, in “ The Lily of Killarney,” which, once heard, can never be forgotten, yet it contains some fine solos, concerted pieces, and choruses, which make it not unattractive to a musical, audience. Nothing can repress Miss May’s spirit, and though she -was evidently still suffering from a very troublesome cold she overcame it in the bravest maimer, and added not a little by her performance of “Eily O’Connor” to the reputation her “ Maritana ” of the previous evening had earned for her here. The opera opens in the- hall of Tore Crcggau, overlooking the Lake of Killarney, where a hunting party are dining after the fatigues of the chase. The scene was splendidly set out, the dinner table well loaded, as it would beiu the great hall of an Irish gentleman of the olden time, while the mountains and the lake were visible in the moonlight through the open window. The openingchorus, “Another cheer—one more, one more, to split the roof asunder,” was sung with precision and spirit—two of the admirable qualities of the chorus. It introduces Mr. Halhun’s fine song (as “Hardress”), “The bachelor's life is gay, careless, and free,” which he sang sweetly and with expression. So also was sung his share of the duet and quartette which followed. His greatest success, however, was in the song, “Eily, Mavonrneeu,” iu the last act, which was greatly applauded. Eily’s opening romance, “In the wild mountain valley he sought me,” was sung with the exquisite taste, the feeling, and the careful enuciation which assist so much to complete the charm of Miss May’s style. She was equally good in “ With this treasure must I part.” The good old Irish song “The Cruiskcu Lawn,” was given most archly, and drew down a tremendous amount cf applause; but her chief success was iu the ballad, “ I’m alone, I'm alone,” which was magnificently sung. As “Ann Chute,” Miss Lambert had few opportunities of distinguishing herself, and these wore lessened by the excision, for sufficient stage reasons no doubt, of the song “ It was on a fine summer’s morning,” She, however, sang “ Thu eye of love is keen,” with good taste. Miss ITorenee Howe was “Mrs. Oregon, and—as Mrs. Lovison docs fiv her “ Sheclali”—deserves a compliment. We have already spoken of Mr. Ilallam. The “ 1* ather Tom” of Mr. Kainford, is always a favorite. Ho invariably performs with great care, and the basso song which ho introduced in the third act, “ Thus goes the world around,” was received with genuine applause. It is a song which can only bo successfully rendered by a voice of superior quality and sustaining power, and Mr. Bainford’s voice, originally good, has been well cultivated. Mr. ‘Templeton was the “Danny Maun,” of the picca lie played carefully and sang admirably. It

was left for Mr. Vernon, however, to occasion an unexpected surprise in 44 Myles na Ooppaleen,” which he played with genuine Irish humor, a true brogue, and a vocal power which for some reason or other —had not been anticipated. HU “Myles” was as good a piece of acting as wo have seen for some time. Ho gave thy recitative “From Inchigela all the way ” In a style which led his hearers to expect more than they lo 'ked for, and they were not disappointed, for he gave his song “It is a charming girl I love,” imd his serenade 44 Your slumbers, och I soft as your glance may they be/’ and took his part in the concerted pieces with marked success. In speaking of the chorus wc omitted to say that they gave “The wind is in the sou-sou-west ” admirably. It is scarcely necessary to add that Mr. Allen’s unobtrusive accompaniments on the piano are ull that could ho desired, and that Mens. ITeury’s small orchestra leave nothing in that direction to he wished. The dresses and appointments are very good. The attendants pay every attention to the comfort of the patrons of the opera. TKK GRAND DUCHESS OF GEROLSTEIN will be the opera this evening. It is scarcely necessary to say that it U a comic opera by Offenbach, the most successful author of- that most entertaining species of opera, though when it was first produced in Hohartou—with Miss May, by the way, as “ The Grand Duchess”—great disappointment was felt by some of the older standards of that city that the Duchess was not as tragical as Lucretia Borgia, and the story not; 130 pathetic and tearmoving as that of “The- Elide of Lammermuir.” The “Grand Duchess” abounds with sparkling airs, such as £ I doat on the military,” “Oh! what a gallant regiment,” 44 Lo, here, the sabre of my sire.” “Say to him,”and 44 There lived in times gone by.” Miss May has established a reputation by her very fine performance in this arduous part, and we are able to vouch that Mr. Hainford’s 44 General Boom” is most amusing. We anticipate a crowded house.