MUSGROVE'S GRAND COMIC OPERA COMPANY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 208, 18 September 1903, Page 2

MUSGROVE'S GRAND COMIC OPERA COMPANY.

"FORT UN JC TICLLBU" AND ■ " SERENADE." Gbeat expectations are being raised as to the mauificence and musical merit of the operas to be produced at the Theatre Royfil by tha Musgrova Opera Company. Report credits the " Fortune Teller " and " Serenade " with being the finest operatic productions seen in the colonies for many years. The productions cover an extensive field, and it is sometimes hard to believe that they are not grand op'-.ra, The climaxes are said to be worked up to wonderful heights of power and tone. The " Serenade " presents a most romantic plot, the outline of which is as fol-

lowa : The scene is laid in Spun, First act opens in a mountain pusa near the rained chateau of the Duke of Santa Cruz (Mi Edward Liuri). The brigands, headed by tho chief Romero (Mr L-mpriere Pringle), are lying in ambush to attack anyone visiting the castle. The Duke, who has been married that day, is bringing his young bride, Dolores (Miss Lilian Boanas), to the casUe. Prior to her marriage, the. Duke's young bride has fallen in love! with one Alvarado (Mr J. 0 Pi 'deck),: principal baritone of the Madrid Opera Housi', who bad won her loya by singing...to her. ." The.Serenade." In! order to be near Dolores, A}vara<i|a. bribes the postillion of the diligeqee to allow him to take his, plaqe, Yvonne j (Miss May Baatty), a Columbine, accompanied by her father, Oo'ombci, are met by Gfomez (Mr Foster Courtney), a tailor, who is also in love with Dolores, and who wights to learn the " Serenade" that he may win her love. Colombo endeavours to teach him, when they are interrupted by the Duke, who mistaking Colombo for Alvarado has him confined in the tower. The brigands attack the castle, acd are carrying off he Duke and Dolores for the purpose of ranscm when a terrific thunderstorm trices and lightning strikes the tower in which Colombo is imprisoned. The brigands being yery superstitious, are terror-stricken on beholding Colombo in the' dress of the Demon King, and retreat,

The next scene represents a monastery and convent garden, divided by a high wall. To the convent the Duke repairs accompanied by Dolores, and ]esire3 the mother superior to take charge of his young wife. Yvoinue arrives at the monastery disguised bs a boy, and discovering that Alvarado is not yet in the monastery is much upset, Her crying attracts the attention of Dolores. They agree to change costumes. The Duke unexpectedly returns, and is greatly enragtd on hearing all the monks and nuns sioging tbe " Serenade." He s j'zas Yvonne, whom ,he mistakes for Dolores, and bears her tway to the castle. Romero, the bandit | chief, who is disguised as a monk in ,■ irder to escape the police, is mistaken,! m his own admission, for Alvarado, the singer of the " Serenade," The last scene is the sime as Act 1., ending with the Duke being compelled to divorce Dolores a,nd Bftirry her t3 ilvarado, and to paidon Romero, the bandit chief, and his men.