English Comic Opera.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3290, 8 July 1879, Page 2

English Comic Opera.

THE SOECEEEE.

; The initial performance of the talented \[ Opera Company, under the management I, of Mr Eiccardi, took place at the • Academy of Music last evening, and notwithstanding the rain, which fell heavily shortly before the hour of opening, : there was a good house when the curtain ;rose. The audience had evidently come i prepared to be pleased, and the company ; succeeded 'in pleasing them. "The I Sorcerer " is an entirely new opera, and 1 has met with grea,t success wherever peri formed. The libretto is crisp, and the I music light and sparkling, and through i the entire piece runs a vein of rich humor, j doing;justice to the talented librettist and i composer to whom it owes its birth. | Miss Leaf, as Aline, speedily placed her- = self en rapport with the, audience. Her jrendition of the aria "Happy young 1 heart,"- was exquisite. Miss Hunter's appearance on the stage was the signal for iloud and prolonged applause, and her vo calisation of the aria, "When he is here," was exceedingly creditable. Since she last appeared before a audience her voice appears to have much improved. The part of Lady Sangazure was filled by Miss Teague, but she hardly looked old,.enough to truthfully represent the : character. Her siDging made a favorable impression on the audience. She possesses a fine contralto voice. The J. W. Wells of Mr Hodson was the life of the piece. He performed ; the part of the Mephistophelean commercial traveller with rare humor, the incantation scene being indescribably funny. His song, 1 "My name is John Wellington Wells,' was vociferously applauded.- And 'now we come to Mr Biccardi's Dr Daly—a character whichhe dressed and scted in a most artistic manner. His fine mellow ;bass was heard to great advantage in r i" Engaged to So-and-so," and "'Time was when love."' Mr Cram did justice to the .part of Alexis, and Mr Harding was very successful as Sir Marmadake. The make :up and acting of Miss Heath, as Mrs Partllett, the pew opener, was most amusing, and she succeeded in portraying the chaIracter to the satisfaction of the audience. ■The chorus was fairly up to their work, and but few faults could be detected by the mbst critical ear. The orchestra greatly assisted in the successful presentation of the opera.