THE ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA COMPANY VISIT WAIKATO.

Waikato Times, Volume XI, Issue 891, 9 March 1878, Page 2

THE ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA COMPANY VISIT WAIKATO.

A musical treat that was little expected by the people of Waikato, will be afforded them daring the ensuing week. Since the close of the full opera season, the company has commenced a sories of concerts m Auckland, the first of which took place on Thursday evening last, and was a great success. Speaking of it m its issue of yesterday, the •' Herald " says : — " Circumstances had invested this company, which made its first ap- * pearauce last evening, with a local, and perhaps personal interestThe company is a new enterprise, originating m this city, the members of it are all well known and thoroughly appreciated, and publit curiosity, as well as the great popularity of the artists, was" concerned to know how far they, who were so excellent m opera, would be able to engage the attention of a general audience, divested of scenic aids and theatrical accessories. Wo are bound to say the result has exceeded the most sanguine expectations. There was a capital house, the members of the company wero m excellent voice (with the exception of Signor Paludini, who was evidently suffering from a cold), and the programme was most attractive. Whatever may he said of the dr.iiuatic interest which is inseparable from impersonations m character, no one will question that where the singers are iv the highest sense competent, ihey can, by first isolating the most effective morceaux of musical compositions, interpret them m snch a manner as to give individuality to each separate performance, and fill the entertainment, as a whole, with inexhaustible variety." The company will make its first appearance at Hamilton, on Thursday night, m the long room of the Commercial Hotel. Had Le Quesne's Hall been available they wo\\ld have performed on both Thursday and Friday nights, but it is unfortunately stored with goods. The programme, which we publish elsewhere will give our readers some idea of the style of rnusie, vocal and instrumental, which they are asked to patronise, of the manner m which it will be executed, the fame of the company will speak for itself. Waikato, of lute, has proved an attractive field to high-class artistes, musical and others, but we had scarcely hoped that so strong a company from the Royal Italian Opeia, which has had so successful a run m Auckland would have visited us. We trust that the visit will be as successful to the company, as it cannot but be agreeable to the music loving portion of the residents m Waikato. On Friday and Saturday, the Company will peform at Cambridge m the Public Hull of that town.