MITCHELL'S ENGLISH OPERA COMPANY.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1072, 8 May 1879, Page 2

MITCHELL'S ENGLISH OPERA COMPANY.

The second performance, at the Hamilton Hall, Balfe's Opera " The Bohemian Girl," was better attended than the opening piece of Maritana on the preceding evening. Most of those who were present on the first night were so much delighted with the performance thafc, despite the wet and mud, they came again. The patronage, however, afforded to this Opera Company by the people of Hamilton is unworthy of themselves and of the occasion. We have seen the Hamilton Hall crowded to overfloAving at a local entertainment given for no particular object, on quite as wet rt night as that of Tuesday. Yet when the manager of a starring Opera Qompany has ihe enterprise to provide a musical entertainment of such a class as never yet has visited the ' Waikato, and at fairly reasonable prices of admission, tho company aye met by a miserable array of empty benches. Fortunately for them they have the best part of the district to work upon ; where at least musical taste is supported by public spirit, and we have no doubt whatever but that that then.' reception at Cambridge will be the very counterpart of that which they have met at Hamilton. On Tuesday night the "Bohemian Girl" was produced under circumstances of considerable difficulty to the company, neither Mr nor Mrs Florence being cast for the piece, and though Mi; Crqwfcher did his best and woll too m the part of Thaddeus for a first performance, neither, m vqice nqr acting will he bear comparison with the absent tenor. But the great loss was the rich and cultivated contralto voios of Mrs Florence who should have taken the part of the Oipsty Qiieen. Nevertheless the piece as a whole was most successful. Mr T. B. Browning's " Heart Bowed Down," was beautifully rendered, nor must we fail to give due credit to the magnificent aria, " When the fair land of Poland suns: hy Mr Orowther as Thaddeus. Miss Wanganheim's voice, thoxigh a peculiar one and somewhat harsh is pf Avide . compass and her upper notes are really superb, clear, perfect and incisive, and her acting is excellent, The piece was well put on the stage, hut the room, the accoustic properties of which are none of the best, was too small for voices of such power. The " Grand Dutehess" was performed last night, and there was a good attendance m both parts of the house. The acting of. Mr Hodgson and Mr Browning vas excellent. Miss Wangan-

heini sustained the character o_ the Duchess admirably, while, as Prince Paul, Miss Alice Johns made a decided hit. Altogether, the audience appeared highly delighted with the performance, which, considering the disadvantage the company is placed at,- was excellently rendered throughout. Our readers wiii be glad to learn thafc, after playing at * Cambridge to-nighfc and on Friday and Saturday nights, the company, on its return to Hamilton, on Monday, Avill give one more performance, " La Somnambula "