H. Mitchell's English Opera.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3179, 28 April 1879, Page 2

H. Mitchell's English Opera.

'"Mftritana."

Mr H. Mitchell's English Opera Com* pany gave their initial performance at the Academy of Music on Saturday evening, the piece choien being Wallace's beautiful opera " Maritana." The gallery and pit were exceedingly well patronised, but there was but a meagre stalls audience. Maritana is an opera well suited to test the abilities and resources of any company, and it was doubtless in the minds of many of the audience that the success or nonsuccess of the season depended a great deal on the measure of success attending the initial performance. Maritana was a decided success. After the opening chorus, which exhibited the power of the oompany in this direction, Miss Wangenbeim, as the gitana, sang the romanza "It was a knight," and her finished cantatiun of the same at once placed her en rapport with the audience. Her voice is clear and bell like—thrilling the listener—while its high state of training can at once be perceived. The " Angelut," sang by Maritana, and the chorus, in a derotional attitude, was well rendered. In her duet with Don Jose (Mr Browning), "Of fairy wand had I the power," completely carried the audience away, and a rapturous burst of applause followed the end of the song. By many the aria, "Scenes that are brightest," is considered the gem of the opera. In its rendition the prima donna was very successful, notwithstanding that the orchestra pitched the song too loud for her voice. Her singing iv the duett " Sainted Mother" with Lazarillo was, perhaps, her greatest success, as, besides her exquisite singing, she imparted so much fervour into the piece that its beautiful strains took the audience by storm, and a hearty, simultaneous .^ntftire f was. the result. Miss Wangenheifß kindly responded to several encores. The other lady cantatnce it falls to our lot to notice is Mrs Charles Florence, who filled the role of Lazarillo. In her first solo, the plaintive aria " Alas those Chimes," she received unmistakeable signs of having created a favorable impression. Her contralto voice is full and rich, and we predict she will be a great favorite ere she quits our shores. Her singing in the duett " Sainted Mother " was excellent. The part of the hero of the piece — the rollioking devil-me-care Don Caiar de Bazan —was ably filled by Mr Charles Florence, whose acquaintance we had the pleasure of making whilst here two years ago with Simonsen's Opera Troupe ; his rich tenor voice is as pleasing as ever, and his rendition of " Oh, Maritana I" " Yes; let me like a soldier fall," and " There is a flower that bloometh," completely brought down the house. Mr Florence can act as well as sing, and his spirited acting of the part will not easily be forgotten. The basso part—Don Jose—was well, filled by Mr Browning, who pleased the audience by his singing of •• In happy moments." His singing in the duett with Maritana " Of Fairy Wand" in the first act was exceedingly well received. Mr Hodson, as the King of Spain, created a favorable impression. The minor oharaoten were well filled, and the action of the piece was not marred by the mistake of some green supernumerary, as is not unfrequently done in some of the best companies. All the principal members of the company were encored. Erery

member of the company was efficient, and we have much pleasure in recording our verdict in favour of the company. The orchestra conducted by Professor Hughes, though rather small, is a very efficient one.

To-night.

We are pleased to notice, in consider* ation of the success attending Saturday's effort, that the management have decided to place " Maritana " on the boards again this evening, when we predict that there will be a crowded house—at any rate the performance deserves it.