THE ENGLISH OPERA.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4214, 22 September 1874, Page 2

THE ENGLISH OPERA.

M SATANBLIA. The English Opera Company, of which Miss May is the primd donna, re-appeared last night at the Theatre Royal, for a short season, and received the compliment of a full house, and a very warm welcome. “ Satan ella; or, The Power of Love,” which proved to be so popular on the last visit of the company to Wellington, was selected for the opening-night, and a more popular choice could not, apparently, have been made, seeing that all but a few of the less desirable seats in the dress circle, and nearly the whole of the stalls, were let before the hour of closing the box-office in the afternoon. It is not necessary to repeat the highlyromantic, dramatic, and very pretty story which has, been woven into an interesting libretto, and set to remarkably good music, and of which we gave a pretty full outline when the opera was lately performed here. We must congratulate the company on the entire success which they achieved last night. On their previous appearance here all of the leading artistes, Miss May alone excepted, suffered from colds which had come upon them in the Southern Provinces. Prom these their visit to the North has enabled them to entirely recover, while the longer practice they have had together has enabled them to attain a singular degree of perfection. We venture to say that there was no one who was present last night who did not leave the theatre delighted and satisfied that one of the finest musical and artistic treats had been afforded to him which could be desired. Of Miss May herself we can say no more than that she was in excellent voice, as thoroughly artistic, and as untiring and careful as she always is ; and that it is scarcely possible to select one from among the many beautiful airs and recitatives that fall upon her in the arduous task, which could be said to be more perfectly rendered than another. We have said before, and we are now more fully convinced than ever, that there is not an English opera singer on the stage, not in the Colonies only, but in England itself, who is equal to this most clever and deserving lady. No better evidence could be afforded of the fact than her “ Satanella” last night. Miss Lambert was also well received, and was in good voice. She always plays most conscientiously, and last night most agreeably surprised her .hearers, playing with more humor and spirit, though not without a little of the old fault of hesitating intonation, which appears to be nothing more than a habit which a little care null overcome. Miss Howe also deserves to be mentioned for the spirit with which she played the part of Lelia. Wo have great pleasure in complimenting Mr. Hallam on the excellence he has attained, and the vast improvement he shows. His voice last night was delicious to hear, and he was able to achieve effects which, through the accident of ill-health, he was unable to accomplish before. With better health appear to have come better spirits ; the result was a very energetic and capable performance of the part of Count Rupert. He appears to have wanned up—as we expressed a hope that he would do—to the singular opportunity he now has of working himself up to a distinguished position on the stage. He has the opportunity Malibran gave to Templeton, and he is now taking advantage of it. It was a pleasure again to hear Mr. Templeton’s fine, clear, resonant chest tenor, and to notice the increasing freedom of his action and stage powers. He has the physical strength, the physique, the bonhomie inseparable from the artist, and, with a year or two more of study, we venture to predict for him a notable future. As the tutor, Mr. Vernon was admirable. If he has less of the singularly dry humour of Mr. Lascelles—who made the part a speciality—his uuctiousness is appropriately rich and enjoyable. Mr. Rainford is so well-known and so much appreciated, always so equal to" whatever he undertakes, that we can but say’ that his Arimanes was as excellent as before. Mr. Lester has also to be complimented on a decided advance, both as a singer and an actor. We have not selected any of the gems of the opera for special mention, but we may remark that the whole of the fourth act, from Mr, Hallam's solo “No prize can fate on man bestow Like love in woman’s breast,” to Satanella’s (Miss May’s) prayer, as the Demon’s are baffled—- “ Heaven have mercy, list above ; Save mo from my true heart’s love," was as fine a performance as could be witnessed anywhere. Mr. and Mrs. Benham—and the chorus which the former leads so well—did their parts admirably. The young ladies of the ballet, however, appeared to require a little more looking after by the ballet-master, than they did when in Wellington before. The orchestra delighted the lovers of music with their exquisite performance of the gems of the opera, and especially of the accompaniments, many of which are extremely beautiful. We are unable to compliment Mr. Raphael on the Entr’ Acte, from which we expected something in the way of information as to the opera, with some interesting reading besides, but which appears to be nothing more than an advertising fly-sheet. This evening, the always popular opera of “ The Bohemian Girl,” will be given.