SOLDENE COMIC OPERA.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5276, 21 February 1878, Page 2

SOLDENE COMIC OPERA.

The Soldene Opera Troupe started their season at the Theatre Royal last night to a crowded house, seats in the dress-circle being very scarce, and at the bottom of the house none were obtainable. The opening work was the sparkling and vivacious opera bouffe “ Girofle-Girofla,” which was put on and rendered in a manner we may say never equalled in the colony, the whole of the troupe acting and singing in a splendid and artistic manner, the dresses and “ make-up,” &c., being, as the French would say, quclque chose de bon, everything working in perfect harmony and unison. The plot of the opera is Don Bolero D'Alcarazas, the father of twins, gets into pecuniary difficulties, and as a manner of getting out of them engages to marry his daughters, the one to Marasquiu, a banker’s sou, and the other to Momzouk, a bloodthirsty Moor, but from motives of economy arranges that both the marriages shall take place on the same day. Marasquiu arrives, and donnv.ds to be married at once. Mourzoulc, owhm to a toothache, does not arrive at the appointed time ; and meanwhile Girnfla is abducted by a hand of pirates. Mourzouk now arrives', and demands immediate marriage also. Don Bolero and Anrore, his wife, plead every imaginable excuse while waiting for the return of'Uirofla, who is to be rescued by Admiral Matamoras. After same hairbreadth escapes by Don Bolero from annihilation by Mourzouk, who is most anxious to get his wife, ho is pacified by Girofie, Marasquiu - s wife, being introduced to him as Girofia, and the marriage ceremony is performed. They dance and imbibe, when Mourzouk entering a room gets locked in by the anxious papa till the next day, when he escapes, and rushes in furious at the manner in which he has been treated. At last ho is pacified once more by Girofie, whom he still supposes to be his wife. Marasquiu then comes and claims her as his wife, and a most amusing scene ensues. Don Bolero and Aurora first state that Girofie is Mourzouk’s wife, and afterwards that she is not, and so on again till Girollh returns, and finally matters are arranged amicably, to the satisfaction of both "husbands, Miss Soldene, in five dual character of Girofie and Girofla, was the ideal

of opera bouffe acting, her whole rendering of the characters being faultless. “How like she is to Girofla," and the wine song, “See how it sparkles” were vociferously encored. Mr. Campbell, a tenor, as Marasquin, sang and acted in an admirable and thoroughly artistic manner, his singing of “I’m Maras* quin” being loudly applauded. Mr. Campbell has a most musical and pleasing voice, and the manner in which he rendered some falsetto notes must have delighted and astonished the audience. Messrs, Farley and Wallace, as Momzouk and Aurove repectively, were everything that could possibly be wishedfor, acting ami singing in a most finished manner. Considering the rough and protracted passage experienced by the company, and the short time they had to prepare, the greatest credit is due to them for the prompt manner in which they appeared, and the smoothness with which the performance ran throughout. The opera of “Genevieve de Brabant” will be produced on Fridav. We may state that Miss Soldene is the original Genevieve of this opera, which she played for 500 consecutive nights at the I’b lharmonic Hall in London, and that Me->rs. Marshall and Wallace are the original “ bold genadarmes,” We are requested to si ate that the stalls are to be kept strictly select.