Amusements.

Thames Star, Volume IIII, Issue 1756, 19 August 1874, Page 2

Amusements.

THE OPERA.

Balfe's opera of the " Bohemian Girl" was produced last evening. The attenddancd #at the Academy of Music was very large and eminently fashionable: the stalls, haying been enlarged in anticipation of the requiremeßtsrpi'esented a perfect sea of brilliant dresses of various hues ; and the gallery was no less patronised ; while the pit was as full of visitors as it could conveniently hold. The " Bohemian Girl" is ah opera wVich is ever attractive—not only on account of the wild and simple nature of the scenes in which the plot is laid, and the happy blending of the comic element with that of a graver kind, but by reason, also, of th 9 beautiful music which runs through the opera being familiar to almost every ear. The piece was on the whole a great success: and indeed there would be no reason thus to qualify the assertion, but that the troupe have to contend against difficulties in the want of appropriate I scenery, as well as in the fact that the Academy is a wretched building for carrying sound. The cast was as follows: —Arline, Miss Alice May; Count Arnheim, Mr. T. H. Rainford; FJorestein, Mr. H. Vernon ; Devilshoof, Mr. C. H. Templeton ; Captain of the Guard, Mr. I Wilkinson; Huntsman, Mr. 0. Lester; Gipsy Queen, Miss E. A. Lambert; Countess, Miss Wheeler; Buda, Miss Summcrfield. The chief interest in the plot centres in the second and third acts. Each, of the stirring scenes was worked up with capital effect : thus, in the first act, when Arline, the {child of Count Arnheim, is carried away by the leader of the Gipsy tribe, the chorus commencing "Follow, follow, with heart and with arm," was rendered in a manner highly suggestive of what might be supposed to be the nature of the emotions felt by the Count and his retainers. In the second act Miss Alice May appeared as Arline, after a lapse of twelve years from the time of her abduction by the tribe of gipsies. The acting and extraordinary vocal power of this talented young lady were, if possible, made more apparent last night. Her rendering of the "Gipsy Girl's Drealn " was perfect-nothing was wanting, either in the way of expression or feeling; and a round of hearty applause greeted its termination. The duet that followed, between Miss May and Mr Hallam, was sweetly sung, the two voices mingling in soft, delicious harmony. Of ilr. Bainfcrd, it is not necessary to say much: those who have had the pleasure of hearing him are aware of the rich power of his splendid bass, and he was in capital voice last evening. In the third act when he, as Count Arnheim reflecting sadly on "Memories of the past,'' sang "The heart bowed down," the audience awarded him the credit due to his talent; an encore (the only one of the evening) was demanded, and Mr. Bainford repeated the last stanza. It is noticeable -that ._Mr. Hallam does not -. give the effect of business or acting sufficient weight in the characters which he has been allotted to impersonate. This was more than ordinarily apparent last night; however, the singing of this gentleman was very pleasing; and he quite won the hearts of the audience by his cantation of that beautiful song, " When other lips." It would be unfair not to mention also that Mr. Hallam was loudly applauded for his delivery, of the lines beginning " Let this attest," when, stung by the taunts of the Count in referring to what he supposed to be his Gipsy origin, he declares his noble birth; and thus, after the manner of all happy tales, wins at once the respect and consideration of the father, and the hand of Arline the daughter. Mr. Templeton made an excellent Devilshoof: in fact, the part could not have been placed in better hands. Miss E. A. Lambert sang and acted capitally as the Gipsy Queen—her delineation of the wild and unbridled jealousy of the gipsy was very telling; the voice of this lady is heard to best advantage in a duet with a voice of higher pitch; Miis Lambert's lower notes are better and more decided than the higher ones. The other characters were well sustained, but space will not admit of further particularisation. The operetta " Cox and Box " and was exceedingly amusing. The lively music running through this piece was much appreciated. To-night the opera of "The Grand Duchess" is announced, with Miss Alice May in the title role. A report has gained currency that the charming prima donna would not appear, but we are authorised in stating that there is no truth in tKe rumour. We are glad of this, because "The Grand Duchess" without Miss May would be something like " Hamlet" with the Prince of Denmark left out. The cast as advertised will bo adhered to, and a very agreeable performance may be expected, for this comparatively new opera contains several gems of song and the music is sparkling. In consequence of the limited accommodation of the Academy of Music stageto which we casually adverted the other day—the management will be unable to produce the spectacular opera of "Der Freischutz," to which many .have been looking forward: "The Daughter of the Regiment" will be substituted. This opera is a favorite "composition, and is characteristic of the composer's XRpni^etti) vivacious style of music. '