THE OPERA SEASON AT THE PRINCESS THEATRE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2026, 22 December 1892, Page 31

THE OPERA SEASON AT THE PRINCESS THEATRE.

"THE GONDOLIERS."

The advent of one of Mr J. C. Williamson's comic opera companies is always hailed with pleasure in Dunsdin, and it may be said wi. + ih perfect safety that none has ever deserved a mon^ hearty reception than that whose season was opened at the Princess Theatre on the 14th, for the present is the strongest combination that has been despatched by Mr Williamson to delight New Zealand audiences in comic opera. Certainly it is au exceedingly complete company, with efficient representatives for all the principal parts, with a full chorus, and with an excellent orchestra, the latter under the baton of that skilful conductor, M. Leon Caron, who was warmly greeted as he took his place at the stand. The opera which was chosen for representation for the opening of the season was "The Gondoliers," written and composed by Mr W. S. Gilbert and Sir Arthur Sullivan— the teuth of a successful series of comic operas in which witty and ingeniously-contrived libretti have > been associated with charming music of a distinctly higher class than one usually finds presented in the scores of modern comic operas. "The | Gondoliers," it may be of interest to know, was first performed at the Savoy Theatre, London, on the 7th December ISS9, the production being under the management of Mr R. DOyly Carte, so that it is almost exactly three years since it was stamped with the approval of the public of the greatcity.whereitssuccesswasinstantaneous. The local Orchestral Society have in the interval to a certain extent familiarised the people of Dunedin with the delightful music of the opera. The majority of the principal performers were new to Dunedin. Such are Miss Flora Graupner and, Mias Violet Yarley, who, as the brides, acted

well together, and with a vivacity and an archness that was charming. They had one important solo apiece, and both sang these with great success, while also sharing in the honours of the concerted | music in which they had a part. Miss Florence Young created a favourable impression as Casilda, and not only sang sweetly, but ' also acted satisfactorily. Miss Clara Thompson's Duchess was a capital conception ; and Misses M. G. Lewis, Mabel M'Kay, Annie Kinnaird, and Nina Osborne also filled parts of some importance in a creditable manner. Messrs Bracy and Ryley made a couple of stalwart gondoliers, who, to the qualification of an admirable stage presence, each added the further recommendation of being possessed of vocal organs and of histrionic abilities a3 well of a high order. Mr Bracy's tenor is serviceable and pleasant ; and Mr Ryley is gifted with a rich, resonant baritone voice. MrDeane is another more than capable ' baritone singer, who uses his voice to admirable advantage and, besides, acts very effectively. Mr ; Lavui, as the Duke of Plaza Toro, an impecunious nobleman, who suffers himself to be floated into a company to be worked, made the character a ludicrously pompous one and gave altogether an exceedingly droll impersonation of it. Mr Howard Vernon, in whom alone the audience could discover an old favourite, and whose reception was marked by the utmost cordiality, was admirably fitted as the Grand Inquisitor— a character of which he presented a strikingly complete and consistent, and humorous study. Messrs W. Rosevear, S. Leslie, and T. Grundy filled the parts of Antonio, Giorgio, and Anniable, three gondoliers, in an efficient manner. The chorus was both numerically and artistically strong, and did its work admirably ; and the orchestration throughout the opera commanded admiration. The opera was mounted not only with great care, but also with much taste, and the two sets that wero presented were both capital examples of the scenic artist's skill.

A full house greeted the company on each night of its appearance.