The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1875-06-15 00:00:00

Date' N°°n' Wind' State of Weather.
I ! Night.

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June
7
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I)
10
11
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13

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S 2 I ro3 WSW Misty
Si 46 W ,Fine
06 ! 64) ESE A: SW Thunder, lightning., stormy
44 47 SW
,tioudy, dm. rain
64 , 46 w (14 tudy, stormy
47 SW Thunder, lightuin. rein
60 62 i SW Sas

Donruhsyhn Aluminum Sociscri. —Each evening last
week Mr. Henry Haigh's Opera company gave per.
forenames at the Town Hall and, remembering the fez
opportunities there are in
--.....—•ndients deserved general patronage.
The more so because the artistes filled their parts in an
exceedingly creditable manner, and are experienced per-
formers. When provincials go to London they make •
point of going to the theatre*, whether for opera or the
drama, and willingly pay from 3a. to 10s. to get a seat in •
dreary pit or stuffy stall, whence they may see, if their
eyes are good, at some thirty yards dictance, actors and
actresses posturing about the stage, apparently suffering
neuralgic agonies, and screaming in choice Italian, of
which they are entirely ignorant. Yet they profess
raptures of delight at their entertainment, and a country
theatre becomes altogether below their notice. But there ,
are one or two considerations which may he urged In,
favour of less pretentious efforts. It is a great comfort to '
be within seeing and hearing distance of the stage : It
makes the action of the play more intelligible when our
mother tongue explains it; and it is • consideration to
most of us when we can pay 2s. instead of ed. or 10s,
It is true that in a small place one may see too much.
The limited scenery and the narrow hounds of the stage
rob the personation. of Pottle of the disguising effects of
larger spaces: but then London and the anintrY give you
a choice of evils -exerting too much or showing too little,
and which is the least is not easily determined. And we
should be prepared to tolerate small drawbacks in com-
penution for the convenience of being entertained at our
own doors, in audiences of friends, and at a cheap rate.
So much for the general question. On Monday evening
the opera produced was Italics "Rose of Castile." A
capital stage, with an elegant proscenium and sufficient
scenery had been provided by Mr. J. Robinson, of the
Music Saloon, l'ornhill, and the seats were conveniently
arranged to afford a good view to all present- The caste
for the opera was as follows:—
Donna Elvira Malame Haigh Dyer
Donna Owinen Millie. Adele Alesaandli
Don Florio . Henry Dwahome
lYnehem of Calatrata Miss Marie Burdett
Don &Rust .. Mr T. C. 0004.1wrin
Pablo Mr George West
Don Pedro .. • • .. Mr R. he Laney
Memel (a Muleteer) Mr Henry Haigh
The manner in which all the performer acquitted them-
selves was excellent, and they were very heartily
applauded. Their dresses and apppoinments were far
above the average, and had good effect, The action
of the piece illustrates the spirit of intrigue which
has al ways characterised the Spanish court, and
supplies ample materials for a variety of telling situations.
Madame Ilaigh.Dyer made a queenly Eivira, acted the
part to perfection, and sang with great taste. Millie. A.
Alessandri, whether as page or niaid of honour, was
vivacious and telling. The muleteer found an able
ex ',uncut in Mr. Haigh, and we were glad to hear again the
tine bass voice of Mr. De Laney as Don Pedro. Mr.
Duntliorne some excellent comedy as Don Florio, and
the other parts were satisfactorily tilled. Belle's charm-
ing ttttt sic is now tolerably familiar, and this opera
furnisheo examples of his art which are unsurpassed. Mr. '
de Laney in "Wine, the magician thou art," and "Though '
fortune darkly der Die frowns" was particularly successful,
both voice and style being admirable. As Manuel, Mr.
Haigh sustained the character most effectively, and sang
throughout with unusual clearnets, discrimination, and
power. Madame lisigh-DTer in 'Oh, were I 9ueen of
, Spain," "'Die convent cell, ' and particularly "I m but a
simple pessant maid" displayed rare ability, and received
deserved applaum. The concerted Peres were all
especially good, and notably the scene in which the
peasant maid and boy Manuel hail befriended are ilia-
covered in Elvira and her maid of henoiar. Here, too,
the iye play of Florio was capital. At the close of the
opera the leading performers were recalled. Madame
Renville then played a pianoforte solo on Irish airs, intro-
ducing "The Irish emigrant," dm., and displayed such
skill that she was cordially encored. The performance
concluded with the farce of "lA, Chalet," with Millie. A.
Allesandri as Lizette, Mr. T. C. Goodwin as Corporal Max,
and Mr. Ihmthorne as Nat Tick. The lovelorn Nat
afforded infinite merriment, and kept the house in a
roar. On Tuesday evening, Verdi's well-known opera, II
Trovatore, was produced, with a goal ,teal of dramatic
ability and stirring offset. Mdlle. A. Alessandri as
Asurena was especially successful in her rendering of the
revengeful gipoy, and the thrilling situations in the
regale were forcibly pourtrayal. The dungeon scene
displayed the abilities of Mr. and Madame Haigh, and our
previous favourable opinion of Mr. de Laney was fully
confirmed by his interiretation of the character of the
Count de Lena. The after piece was "'lle Secret," in
which Mr. Dunthorne created great fun. On Wednesday
evening the Mayor (Mr. F.. Burnett) end Mrs. Burnett
gave their patronage, and the opera produced was
Dlaritana, with the following caste :
Maritana .. • . Mrs Haigh liver
lasarillo .• .. • . Adele Alessandri
Charles. King it Spain •. %Or T. C auslwin
Marchioness .. • • .. Miss Marie Burdett
DOH Jose .. • • • • .. .. Mr It. de lane,
Marquis I.f Montiforel .. • • .. Mr Henri Ounthorme
Don CaNar de Darin . Mr Henry Haigh
The pier) went remarkably well throughout, end the per.
fernier% were warmly applauded. "The Waterman "
followed, and Mr. Ilaigh was heartily encored in "The
Ilay of Biscay." All the parts were adequately filled.
On Thursday Faust IVAA prOthireol, but the want of
armouries detracts greatly from the effect of an opera of
this character. Conxt,ering these drawliacko, the piece
was very well performed. On Friday evening Colonel
Wilkinson and the officers of the A battery B hrigesle of
Royal Horse Artillery gave their patronage, and the
attendance WM large—it was by far the lest house of the
week. The popular opera bouffe La Fine de Madame
Angot, was produced, awl the coinnany were highly
successful , Hindering the broad comedy with wonderful
spirit and vivacity. Madame Haigh-Dyer personated
Matte. Igange, Millie. A. Alesaandri Clairette, Mr. Haigh
Ange Pitou, Mr. Ite Laney luivaudiere, Mrs. de lAncy
Amaranthe, and Mr. Dunthorne leuchard, the minor
characters being fairly taken. The sparkling music and
the spirited action nf the piece thoroughly sustained the
interest of the audience, and there was frequent and
general applaire. The seditious song was splendidly sung
hy /41,111 e. A. Aleseindri, and she was vociferously encored
Of the rest the railing duet between Lange and Clairette
was the most taking, and created roars of laughter. The
conspirators' chorus, and a few other good bite, were
missed, lint otherwise the performance left little to be
desired. The after piece was the Waterman, Mr. and Mrs.
Haigh sustaining the principal characters. On Saturday
evening the coml.. opera was repeated with equal pleasure
to those who were present This was the last night of the
engagement of the company in Dorchester.