“H.M.S PINAFORE.”

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5759, 13 September 1879, Page 3

“H.M.S PINAFORE.”

The first performance of “ H.M.S. Pinafore” by the newly-arrived Enulish Opera Company, which took place last evening at the Academy of Music, may be pronounced a mo«t unqualified success. The house was crowded in every part, large numbers being unable to gain admittance to the front seats. There has been so much said and heard about this production of Messrs. Gilbert and Sullivan that public expectation had been raised to a high pitch, and it might be stated that the anticipations were fully realised. The company under notice was originally an amateur one, with few exceptions, but, commencing about three mouths ago in Auckland, they have since been traveling throughout the colony, winning golden opinions wherever they have gone. They have now been playing the opera and singing the music so loug that they act in concert like clock-work. The piece is of the same class as “ Trial by Jury,” but it is in some respects very superior, for while it contains the light and sparkling music of that operetta, it has, in addition, a great deal of really pretty music, both as solos and of a concerted character. The story of “ H.M.S. Pinafore” is no doubt pretty well known, for it has been played here (after a fashion), and allusions have been frequently made to the plot by journals of all kinds. It was not, however, until last evening that the people of this city had an opportunity of judging of its merits, and there can be no doubt that every one left the theatre highly delighted with the entire performance. ’’he action of the .opera takes place on the deck of a man-of-war, and occupies two acts, and the story is made up of a Port Admiral in love with the captain's daughter ; a bumboat woman in love with the Admiral; and an honest seaman who lores his commander's daughter, by whom the affection is returned. Then there is a good natured tar, a nautical villaiu, and one or two others who come to the front; while the choruses of sailors and young ladies are very strong. Speaking first of all of the character of Josephine, the captain's daughter, it may be said that Miss Leal is a singer of a most winning manner, that she possesses a voice of a rare and charming quality—being pure as a bell and very liquid—having, too, a high register of great beauty. In addit-.' nto the possession of so excellent a mezzo-soprano voice, she is in herself most attractive, and acts with grace, taste, and feeling. She sang a number of solos during the course of the operetta, and submitted to the encores. She at once placed herself m rapport with the audience and established herself from the first as a marked favorite. We have no space in this issue to speak in detail of the various solos to which the lady did such justice. Miss Hunter, who sustained the part of Little Buttercup, the bumboat woman, also possesses a sweet voice, though of a different quality, while the same may be said of Miss Heath, who was the representative of Hebe. Of the male element it may be said that Mr. Riccardi gave a very fine performance of the character of the Admiral, and sang the music admirably. He has a very fine baritone voice, which he uses with great effect. The part of the Captain was taken by Mr. Harding, who has a good tenor voice, and tiiat of Ralph Eackstraw by Mr. Crain, who is the possessor of a similar class of voice, although somewhat more robust in character. It may be said that each of these in turn bad solos to sing, as well as to take part in concerted pieces, to which we cannot now refer at length. The choruses were decidedly good, the dressing appropriate, the orchestral music fully up to the mark, and the whole production an entire success. We ought not to omit to mention the very pretty set of the quarterdeck of a man-of-war, the work of Mr. Briggs, the scenic artist. The company generally is to be complimented on the great hit they made, and unless we are mistaken they are likely to grow in popularity, for their performance is in every espect n refined and finished one. The acting and music are both good, and the result is the entire entertainment is of an eminently pleasing and satisfactory character. It will be repeated this evening.