THE OPERA.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4222, 1 October 1874, Page 3

THE OPERA.

Another crowded house at the Theatre last night confirmed the popularity of Gounod's grand work with the people of this City ; and in this fact lies a compliment to their musical taste. The finest treat of the season was undoubtedly bestowed upon last night's audience [by the Opera Company, and from a representation which dragged and fell rather flatly on its first production, this opera was, on its repetition, raised to the proud position of one of the best, if not the best, of their efforts. The scenery and effects were highly creditable, to the most minute details, and met with full appreciation. It was indeed a pleasure to witness Miss May's rendering of Marguerite, and to hear her sing the beautiful music attached to the part. In the garden scene and the final act, her representation and vocalisation left no room for improvement, and her complete performance stamped it as by far the best we have yet seen her give. Marguerite is undeniably Miss May's most Bucce3sful character. The nolo in the third act was beautifully given by the prima donna, and at its close, she received a perfect storm of bouquets ; but her siugiug reached its finest point in the duet with Faust in the prison, where sweetness and grandeur followed each other in rapid succession, with a power and expression peculiarly Miss May's own, which was perhaps most completely successful in the part commencing " Yet onco again, beloved one." Mr. Hallam was in much better voice than on the last occasion on which he played Faust, and in all his duets with Mias May he was heard to great advantage ; those with Mr. Ilainford were also very well sung. The latter, as Mephistopheles, showed great improvement in his acting, and also sang with more spirit and clearness, and in the chapel scene he was very effective. Miss Lambert was pleasing, as U3ual, in the part of Siebel, and sang the solo "Gentle Flowers in the Dew," very nicely. Mr. Templeton repeated bis success as Valentine, and gave the " Dear gift of my sister" with much taste. The choruses were, with one or two slight exceptions, well toned, particularly the grand and well known " Soldiers' Chorus." The tableau of Marguerite's apotheosis was excellently represented, and the curtain had to be drawn up again to the applause of the audience. To-night, Offenbach's well-known and very favorite opera bouffe—" The Grand Duchess " —will be given, and it is almost needless to remind the public of the completely successful manner in which the company play it. :