THE OPERA.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5238, 7 January 1878, Page 3

THE OPERA.

FAUST. The performance of “ Faust” on Saturday night at the Theatre Royal was witnessed by a crowded audience. The Governor was present, with his private secretary and aide-de-camp, as was also the Colonial Secretary. We do not recollect any representation of this opera to have been given with more thoroughly artistic finish. Signora Guadagnini was indeed excellent as -Margherita, aud her impersonation of the character was marked by a tenderness, delicacy, and refinement which one has seldom the opportunity of witnessing. Her exquisite voice, and the quiet, simple dignity with which she invested tho music entrusted to her, created a sensation which we have never seen equalled hero. It was intense, profound. She made tho third act (the garden scene) an opera in itself, and that alone would stamp her as an actress and a singer of a very high class. '■ An able critic has written, and his remarks exactly apply to Saturday night’s performance :—“ In the ‘Jewel song’ Signora Guadagnini was free to devote herself without hindrance to such display of ■ her vocal powers as won the hearty admiration of her hearers. From this point tho soprano voice becomes merged with others in the great quartette and in the tender duet, ‘ Tardi si fa Addio,’ in both of which Signora Guadagnini sang with true intonation and fine artistic feeling. Signora Venosta, as Siebel, was fitted with a part in which she has good opportunity for the display of those engaging qualities which have already, in other performances, made her such a favourite with the public. She plays the frank and tender-hearted boy with a natural grace, aud treats her hearers to the full extent of the music written,” the pretty canzonetta, “Le parlate d' amor,’ ’ being greeted with great applause by the audience. Signor Paladini played the part of Faust, and played it well. His tenor voice is of the purest quality, marvellously even and fresh, aud in singing “ Salve dimora ” he takes the upper C in falsetto voice, aud this was rendered with beautiful effect. The applause which greeted the conclusion of it was both hearty and prolonged, and he had to repeat it. He was also very good in the quartette and in the duet with Signora Guadagnini, and finally the passages where he urges his victim to flee the doom waiting him were beautifully given. Signor Gambetti acted the part of Valentine very well, and his sympathetic voice was heard to great advantage, and was well suited to the music, especially in “ Dio posseate,” and in the duel and dying scene. Signor Cesari’s Mephistophileswas a very excellent performance, and was grandly sung. The “Dio del mondo” and the serenade elicited very hearty applause. The Wagner of Signor Tessada and the Marta of Miss Royal were both very even performances. The “ Soldiers’ chorus ” and the' chorus in the scene of the death of Valentine, were very good. The Volunteer, Artillery Band also did good service. It is unnecessary that we should say more. “ Faust,” as produced on Saturday, is the most finished performance we have witnessed for many years. It quite justifies all that has been said of it in the other colonies, and we are inclined to think that it will take the foremost place in point of popularity in the list of operas which this company performs. To-night will be presented Meyerbeer’s grand opera “Roberto il Diavolo.”