Only under the most adverse circum stances could Audran's opera comique La Mascotte fail to please. The music is tuneful, some of the lyrics have the genuine poetic charm about them, nnd moreover, have become so familiar, that it was not to be expected that other than a most enjoy able evening would be spent by those present at ite representation by the Stanley Opera Company, at the Lyceum, on Wednesday. Unquestivnably. the critic might find faults and shortcomings in the individual performances, but estimated as a whole, "favourable verdict has to be pro- close the innings and send in his opnounced on the representation. The au- ponents. It was, perhaps, a little piece dience on Wednesday oveying large one, ami nwatded applause to the scoring was out of the question, and it was performers with the utmost impartiality and liberality. Though good on the whole, tne performance would undoubtedly have been even better if the artists had paid attention to a few points. Now and again the delivery of the singers was singularly indistinct, and however goud the music may be, the audience cannot be expected to follow the performance intelligibly if they do not know what the songs are about, Some liberty was taken with the text in several instances, and the singer, while probably bestowing nil care upon the vocalisation, would slur over the words in a fashion provoking to listen to. So far as the vocal honours were concerned they were carried off by Miss Nellie Delorme, as Bettina, "Miss Fanny Stanley as Fiametta, Miss Dolly Childs as Prince Fritellini, and Mr. F, Liddiard as Pippo. -Miss Maitland slowed:.that" she: possesses-a rich and ing contralto voice; but her part! was a small one, avd did not afford a very goud opportunity of judging of her full capabilities. Tle Bettina of Miss De-larine was quite successful so far as the singing was concerned. She has a pleasing voice, and gued vocalisation, but her acting was not abore m, and we cannot help thinking that if she' would tone down the exaggerated evarseness of the country girl, in the occupation of her more elevated station, it would be a distinct iprovement, ' A herviue should always have the public sympathy on her side, but Bettina rons dangerously near losing this by her awkwardness and rudeness. Mr, Liddiard_ po in" manly and spirited fashion, and if he did not actually shine as an actor he was at least successful as a vocalist. Miss Dully Childs was distinctly good. As the play progressed her style manifestly improved, and she sang Love is blind in a wanner which marked it out ws one of the gems of the evening. To Mies Fanny Stanley high meed of praise should also be awarded. "Not only was she in excellent voice, but she acted ina style nuost pleasing tu see. Mr, Alex. Boyd, as Laurent, and Mr. W. Driscoll as Ruczo, provided any amount of amusement, As comedians they were particularly good, and more then ones convulsed the audience with genuine and hearty laughter. To the chorus als) commendation must be given. of the third act, to the nezomp of the familar march, certainly indicated good shill nnd careful training. The saltvrella was pleasingly danced by Miss Tilly Lake and Miss Stephenson,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.