IOLANTHE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3816, 21 May 1891, Page 3

IOLANTHE.

lolantbe, opened at the Opera House, Wellington, last night, to an excellent attendance,and the Wellington Amateur Operatic Society shonld decidedly feel satisfied (as no doubt it will) with its first night's receipts. 3HUji£. Arthur Sullivan's music, heard more, had lost none of its wonderful sweetness, and Mr Gilbert's sparkling urords and clever wit seemed just as fresh ag ever. The audience appeared to thoroughly enjoy the opera, and towards the end • encores became emphatie and numerous. Mr W. D.-Lyon (f'the Lord Chancellor'!) made a marked liit with his patter song in the second act, and in response to a recall was good enough - to repeat it with even greater success. Of the new principals, Miss Samuel, who represented "Phyllis," sang in a particularly bright and ; pleasing manner, and showed that she possessed a decidedly sweet soprano voice of above ordinary merit. Nervousness somewhat marred her efforts' in the openiriing airs, but later oh she elicited warm recognition for her vivacious and melodious singing. Miss Wilson, who took the character of " lolanthe," sang her part quietly but well, and she has certainly a very nice contralto voice, which it would be a pleasure to hear more of. MrE. J. Jlill (" Strephon") was not up- to his usual standard at the commencement, but as the piece wore on he acquired his usual accuracy of pitch and tuHeful expression, and his fine tenor voice was heard to distinct advantage in the air and duet, "If we're weak enough to tarry," in the second act. For this, both he and Miss Samuel were encored. Mr G. H. Munt, (" Earl of Tolloller") sang well, and the music of hi 3 part was aumirably adapted to his expressive light tenor , voice. Mr A. E. Mabin (the representative of the " Earl of Mountararat,") who is a new soloist in opera, seemed to possess rather a good batitone voice and waa well received. Misa Bigg, who personated the Queen of the Fairies, was rather light in both voice and figure for duty, but she was frequently applauded and received an .encore for her song, "Oh Foolish Fay." The orchestra hardly played as carefully and expressively as they might have done, but no doubt this, with any other deficiencies, "will wear off after the first performance. The scenery by Mi BriggS has been used before, but it is still as charmingly pretty as ever, fcnd was much admired. The tout ensemble m the second act, when the daintily dressed fairies and the richly attired .Lords.are grouped in. the Palace yard, Westminster, with the illuminated Houses of. Parliament in the back ground, was Heautitul indeed, and the delicate hued limelight lent in addition its appropriate soft brilliancy to an already fascinating scene. Many seats are already engaged for to-iright's performance, and still more for Friday's evening's, The Society should therefore have a highlysuccessfulseasun. As'lolantbe' is to be played six nights, there wilj be every .opportunity for . Wairarapa visitors who. are in Wellington for the coming holiday to include an enjoyable night at the Opera House in their programme.