Story: Arts reviewing

The Lyster Opera Company in Dunedin, August 1864

The Lyster Opera Company in Dunedin, August 1864

On 29 August 1864 the opera critic for the Otago Daily Times gave an enthusiastic review to the touring Lyster Opera Company. After praising the performance as an 'unqualified success', the reviewer went on to compare it to performances by contemporary opera stars: 'In Donnizetti's "Lucrezia Borgia," we have a score of times heard Grisi and Mario; we have heard Bosio, Tamberlik and Tagliafico ... In "The Daughter of the Regiment" we have heard Jenny Lind and Ronconi. The operas we have named were produced on Saturday evening, and with all our recollections of the two, we can declare that sitting out Saturday's performances was an almost unmixed gratification.'

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National Library of New Zealand, Papers Past
Reference: Otago Daily Times, 29 August 1864. p. 5

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How to cite this page:

Peter Clayworth, 'Arts reviewing - Colonial critics, 19th century', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/document/45114/the-lyster-opera-company-in-dunedin-august-1864 (accessed 19 April 2024)

Story by Peter Clayworth, published 22 Oct 2014, updated 1 Apr 2020