THE SIMONSEN OPERA COMPANY.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1300, 24 March 1883, Page 2

THE SIMONSEN OPERA COMPANY.

“BOCCACCIO.” Von Sippe's comic opera “Boccaccio,”) which has been well received throughout all i Europe, and the major puttion of the Colu- ' nies was produced on Thursday night at i Parnell and Boylan’s Hall, to a large and ■ certainly appreciative audience. The music I is light and sparkling, and the attractive ness ia more in the imagination than in the i realisation of the plot. Those who had read ; “ Boccaccio’’ expected something which they ; did not get, and those who had not failed in | very many instances tu see that the opera ' was founded upon the weaknesses to which ; all human flesh is heir to. “Boccaccio”' states plainly that he has “lived his novels j before he has written them.” There were ■ several present who expected a spice of | something rather beyond the bounds, but in : this they were disappointed. There was ■ nothing but which the most fastidious could ’ have seen and listened to, although at the j same time there i:i a suggestiveness which i is apparent. “ Boccaccio,” as a writer, ex- 1 posed the very many prevailing evils of ; society, and by doing so plainly, althmuh ! carefully hiding by his language, the evil* which did do, and ever alull exist, made for i himself a name, and even now a library L ' incomplete without his works. Of the Opera little can be said of the plot, as in fact there is little or no plot, and the sole interest rests in the hollowness of so-called human virtue. The title mlc was sustained by Madame Simonsen, who, as every ‘ poc a ndsatirist fund of the world’s fun whilst, laughing at its folly,” treated the audience to an exhibit of musical art which had never before been afforded to a Gisborne audience Her singing, it is needles to praise, as her name throughout the length and breadth of tho Colonies is well known, and need wo say is appreciated by all who have had the pleasure of hearing her. It is not alone the cultivated and brilliant voice, nor the stage pre sence but there is in addition a Bomvtliing, 1 difficult to describe, which renders Madame Simonsen always a favorite. There is a»> archness and ekie which is irresistible Miss Minnie Hope, as Leonetto, acquitted herself fairly well, although there were at times we , could have wished that she had pourtrayed the character with more rrrre. Mr A. Brennir us Prince of Palmero enacted the part as only a true and gifted artiste could although his voice was nothing to what it was when we heard him in “La Fille de Madame Angot.” Hia actingj however, made good this defect, and he was loudly applauded on very many occasions throughout the evening, Lotteringhi, a bibulous cooper, Mr Wentworth, fairly excelled himself, as in fact also did Mr Fitzgerald, as 1 Limbertuccio ; Mr A. Lissant, as IScalza These three although taking but little part in the singing, proved themselves ■ to he actors of no mean cipibilities. Mr F. ; Bellair, as the Mayor Borno, (“Ah! ymi j may imagined) enacted his p:»rt most satin factnrily. Mr Blackville as l : "ru.«co was in tensely nmnsiug, and displayed a length of ■ limb which enabled him as a cooper’s apprentice to get round a cask in a most gro , teaque manner. Miss Louie \*erc as Beatrice and Miss Francis Saville as Isabella enacted their respective parts most satiafac'orily, whilst Miss Alice Stanley as Peronella, hs usual kept tho audience in roars of laughter. ; Last to mention, but not least, by any thought comes Miss Leonora Simonsen, who on the character of Flammctta distinguished herself. This young lady proved that born ! of gfited parents she herself is gifted, and gave promise that although she has already ■ made a name for herself, that name will yet be more widely known. On behalf of the public wo thank the company for visiting us as wc have been ‘ afforded a musical treat such as wan never before enjoyed in Gisborne.