AMUSEMENTS.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 171, 17 February 1868, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

SIMONS EN'S GRAND OPERA DE CAMERA. The oft-repeated expression of Keats '• A thing of beauty is a joy for ever," comes very apropos when anything above the common order of things visited Westport, where there is so little of those refined and intellectual amusements which impart a charm to civilised life. " A joy for ever," or at all events a pleasant theme for some little while will be afforded by the remembrance of the visit of the Simonsen's and the artistes accompanying them to the Buller on Saturday evening. The room chosen for their first appearance was the new Assemblyroom of Mr Stephenson, which was open to the public for the first time on this occasion. This room is without a doubt, one of the handsomest in Westport. It is about 40 feet by 30 feet, and is well ventilated by means of skylights ; on one side of it are a series of alcoves fitted up in an elegant and fanciful manner, giving the room a semi-oriental appearance. In one corner is a refreshment bar and at the end a raised dais or platform fitted up as a stage. The room was crowded in every part, and from the unanimous applause lavished on the artistes there can be no doubt that on the occasion of another visit, their success will be as ejreat as on this occasion.

The Troupe consists of Madame Fanny Simonsen, who, as a soprano singer, is without an equal in the colonies, and this fact was recognised in the Australian colonies where she alternated as prima donna with Lucy Escott, and if anything eclipsed that admirable singer and actress; Miss Rebecca Jones, who is also a pleasing singer, but whose forte is certainly not ballads. She however is much improved since we heard her last in Melbourne. Mr Price, the tenor and buffo singer of the Company, possesses a tolerable voice, but it evidently wants training, and by its lack of artistic finish betrays that he is all but an amateur. The instrumentalists are M. Simonsenj violin ; and M. Eugene Artot, piano. The entertainment commenced with a Fantaisie Brilliante, selected from Gounod's masterpiece " Faust." This fantaisie is full of beautiful passages, and the manner in which M. Artos rendered them, secured the wellmerited applause that followed. Next followed one of the gems of the evening—the beautiful " Robert toi qui

j'aime," from Meyerbeer's opera ol Robert le Diable. The success of the singer in this was complete, and hei splendid soprano voice shone to gre-.il advantage ; it was full and free in the upper notes, while there was a truthfulness in the lower that took the place a* it were by storm. An encore was demanded, when she sang a little piece called " Half-past Eight" indeed everything encored, for a more enthusiastic audience never sat within the walls of any place. And now another treat of a different kin I was in store for the audience. M. Simonsen made his appearance with his vio'iu and commenced to play a Fantaisie Brilliante and variations on Themesa from " The Daughter of the Regiment." From the first movement the audience recognised a master of the violin before them, and his cantabile passages and the management of the octaves were unequalled. Comparisons were made in the room as tc whom he most resembled Collins Heine, M. Sainton, and others, bul the universal opinion was that he was unequalled —that he was Simonsen. It fact, it would be impossible to conceive a finer performance. As a matter oi ourse he was encored, and then followed another display. Mr Price thee sung a comic song, and was alsc encored. Mdme. Simonsen then male her appearance as Amina, the village girl, and sang the grand scena frorr the first act of Bellini's opera "Le Sonnambula," and the sweetness witl which it was rendered, and the plaintiveneas of the melody added anothei laurel to Mdme Simonsen. This con eluded the first part. The second part commenced witl G-lover's lively duet "The Cousins,' or as it is called in the programme " The Invitation to Dance," which was rendered popular some years ago ir England by the singing of Miss Pooh and Miss Messent. On this occasior the vocalists were Mdme. Simonser and Miss Rebecca Jones, and from the arch manner in which it was suns secured an encore. Mr Price then sung a buffo song, detailing the mis fortunes of a young man who had mei a charming young woman in the train, which was given with some spiri: and well received. Miss Jones san< " A Glance from the Eye," but as we have said before we don't think hei voice suitable to ballads; there seem: a lack of that sympathy which bal'ac singing requires. Madame Simonser sang " Selina Sly or the Troubles of a Housemaid," in character, causing i great deal of laughter. " Remem brances of Germany," Oberlauder, bj M. Simonsen, was by many considerec the gem of the evening, aud so far as artistic instrumentalism was concernec it was the gem, for such per for nances are only to be heard on rare occasions in a lifetime, and the applause thai followed was loud and long, and as i matterofcourse encored, when MSimon se 1 gave a humorous imitation of the hurdy-gurdy and bag pipes, which almost brought on another encore. The beautiful Misererescene thechefd aeitvri of Verdi's "II Trovatore" concludec the second part. It was splendidly given by Madame Simonsen and Mi Price, whose voice here shone to grea advantage. Tae third part was like unto the ather two brilliant successes; but as we have already exceeded our limits we must conclude by just noticing the pathetic manner in which Madame Simonsen rendered the Irish ballad ■Oh Erin, my country." The bur lesque on English and Irish airs, b} M. Simonsen, and the grand Valse de Concert, "II Bacio," which concludec the performance. This concluding piece, which is one of M. Arditi's, the iirector of the Royal Italian Opera louse, compositions, was a triumph, she violin obligato, by M. Simonsen, larmonising with Madame Simonsen's roice, rendering it a matchless perbrmance.

Taking it altogether, such an entertainment has never before been heard in Westport, and we look forward with eagerness for another similar concert. In conclusion, we cannot help remarking the obliging manner in which the artistes responded to the various encores, so entirely different from performances of incomparatively lesser merit.

THE NATHAN TROUPE. This clever troupe, concluded their engagement on Saturday evening, when the house was crowded in every part, and amongst those present we observed a member of our leading townspeople. Little Marion was as clever and as versatile as ever, and brought down thunders of applause by her acting, more especially in the little burlesque farce of " The Omnibus," where she played Phil Rooney, the Irish servant, and kept the house in one continual roar of laughter. The entertainment concluded with the laughable extravaganza of " Codadad."