THE OPERA TROUPE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4249, 2 November 1874, Page 2

THE OPERA TROUPE.

The Allen Opora Company made their final appearance at the Odd Fellows' Hall on Saturday evening in an operatic and ballad concert, which was rather thinly attended. The popularity of the company, however, was evidently in no wise diminished, for throughout bouquets were showered upon the artist's, and encores were the order of the evening. Nor was it surprising that it was so, for the performances as a whole merited the praise bestowed, whatever shortcomings there were being excusable considering the present unsettled condition of the company. Miss May and Mr. Hallam were both in splendid voice, and their pieces were of course very tastily executed. Miss May sang three ballads, " She Wore a Wreath of Hoses," " Kathleen Mavourneen," and "Who can Tell," the latter a composition by Mr. Allen, notable for its simple unstrained melody, constructed in the true ballad style. Mr. Hallam sang Braham's favorite ballad, " The Anchor's Weighed," and "Alice, where art Thou," with a finish and exquisite taste, which did not pass unrecognised, and in substitution for a duet from Cinderella Miss May and Mr. Hallam sang "Ye Banks and Braes," which was admittedly a highly-cultivated piece of vocalisation, and had to be repeated in response to an encore, which the audience would not be denied. Why Miss Lambert substituted the namby-pamby "Sad Sea Waves " for Pinsuti's fine contralto song " The Raft" was not explained, but as a matter of fact Miss Lambert did not appear to any advantage throughout the concert. Miss Howe received a special call for her capital singing of Glover's "Maid of Athens," which had the advantage of an orchestral accompaniment, a want which was very much felt in the execution of some of the other items on the programme. Mr. Templeton and Mr. Vernon were honored with encores ; in fact, as already stated, the audience were lavish of their applause. The "Miserere" scene from the " Trovatore," was spoiled by the chorus, who insisted on drowning the solo voice ; but the audience were sent away in excellent humor by Martini's fine old " Laughing Chorus," which was given with evident relish by the members of the company. During the evening, Miss Theresa Corlett played a pianoforte duet with Mr. Allan, the piece being the " Fantasio a quatre mains " (Daughter of the Regiment), which showed the youthful executant to be possessed of discriminating delicacy and firmness of touch, which could be the outcome only of long and intelligent study. The company leave for Christchurch in the Phoebe this afternoon.