THE OPERA.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4132, 18 June 1874, Page 3

THE OPERA.

Offenbach's comic ofeha, barbe bleue, Was produced last night for the first time. The old nursery story is told in a highly dramatic manner, but one varying considerably from that which was and is the delight of the nursery. “Boulotte,” (Miss Alice May), a very demonstrative shepherdess, and a bit of a termagent when tormented by the jealous villagers, is the heroine, and the sixth wife of the powerful Blue Beard (Mr. Vernon). hike the cockney hero, “the Illustrious Stranger” in China, however, she is only “married to be buried for almost before the wedding-bells have done ringing, her noble husband, who has a taste for marrying, and whose motto is “always a widower : never a widower”—has fallen in love with Fleurette (Miss Lambert), a foundling dealer in flowers but the daughter of King Bobeche (Mr. Levison), and in pursuance of his usual policy, Blue Beard consigns Boulotte to tho care of Popolaui (Mr. Rainford), his physician in ordinary, and the privileged poisoner of his wives, while ho demands the hand of the Princess, and receives it after killing Ms rival, Prince Sapphire (Mr. Templeton), in an amusing mock duel with small swords. Popolani, however, has saved the lives of the five ladies, to whom (after the effects of a narcotic had worn off) he introduced Boulotte as the sixth victim. King Bobeche has in the meantime disposed of his six also—courtiers of whoso attentions to the Queen (Miss Howe) he was jealous—through the agency of his Prime Minister, Count Oscar (Mr. Lester), who has followed the example of his friend Popolani, and boarded the victims at his aunt’s, in place of murdering them. Popolani and the Count, finding matters going too far, bring the wives and nobles into the presence of the King and of Blue Beard and the Court, as travelling gypsies, who propose to tell fortunes. Boulotte tells the King’s first, and reminds him of Ms murdered nobles, and Blue Beard’s next, reveals tho secret of his wickedness. The masks are thrown off, each of the restored noblemen takes tho hand of one of the discarded wives ; Eleurctte obtains that of her shepherd Prince ; and Boulotte x'cmains the sole wife of tho great Blue Board. A story so humorous as this could scarcely fail to interest. We have no hesitation in saying, however, that though the opera was exceedingly well produced, and every part was creditably filled, it would have fallen flat but for tho exertions of Miss Alice May, whoso versatility is as woudorful as tho amazing spirit and physical strength which enables her to go through, night after night, the excessively fatiguing work which devolves upon her, and yet leaves her fresh and vigorous for new efforts. Her impersonation of the port and self-assertive Boulotte was admirable. The scenery was very good, and if time for preparation had been permitted, no doubt a pretty mechanical effect, the descent of the army of Blue Beard—the marching of artillery, horse and foot, elephants, camels, &o. —from the castle down tho steep ascent to tho plains below, would not have been omitted. This evening

THE ROSE OP CASTILLK will bo repeated by request, and probably for the last time. Miss May's benefit is announced for Monday evening next, when THE DAUGHTER OP THE REGIMENT will bo given, followed by an amusing opei’atic trifle by Offenbach. There will, no doubt, bo a bumper bouse on that occasion.