Opera House-"Les Cloches de Corneville."

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 206, 2 September 1886, Page 2

Opera House-"Les Cloches de Corneville."

Aftek weeks of zealous study and painstaking rehearsal the Auckland Amateur Opora Club last night made its second pub-

lie oasay upon the lyric stage, tho work in hand boing Robert JP)a>'quotte's pretty and picturesque threenct oporotta " tes Cloches do Corneville." • Tho choice of this pioca for amateur j representation requires no justification. Its idyllic charms and romantic character always impress one favourably, and■tho absence of anything like vulgarity in either ■ dialoguo or music is an additional recommendation, while its tunefulness affords . ample opportunity for tho display of musical ability without exacting what may be denominated professional teclinique. The familiarity of the public with the opera s a further advantage rather than a draw>ack, fpr it belongs,.to a, class of composition that does not.become insipid by frequent repetition. It is the moat successful effort ofayoungapd vory promising Parisian composer, and the extraordinary favour with which it wae received on its production in Pacia in April, 1877, was renewed upon its presentation in London in February, 1878. Since then it.has met, with a succession of triumphs throughout the world, and now firmly holds its place in public regard. It is almost .superfluous to remark that the house last night was-full in every part. Thatj hod been assured for some time past by tho general reservation of seats, and a similar provision guarantees a largo audience for every performance this week. As usual,too,thc£eo'p!ewereindulgent,dispoeed to bo pleasod and unstinted with their appliuso. An entente cordiale consequently existed between performers and patrons from beginning to cloee of the representation, and muet have incited tho former to do thoir very best. . Tho chief and preemiount feature of Gxcollcnco in connection with the piosont production is the jjiisii at scene. Amateur effort ,in tho representation of opera has bee.i too frequent in Auckland to be any longer regarded as a novelty, and previous ventures by their pretonsious character havo taught tlio community to look for a considerable amount of success. So, far as the mounting of " tes Cloches do Corneville" is concerned, the anticipation in this reepect has not suffered disappointment. The staging of the work is not only up tp the highwater mark ef provious attempts in the earne lino, but will vie with, and in some reepects. rises superior to, profoaeional , presentations. Mr \V. If. Pulford h£L9 painted eomo admirable Rconory, and has furnished tho requisite properties most satisfactorily, whilo tho coloured limolight effects enhanced considerably the success of many of the situations. Uoyond this theetagewae actually crowded with performers, and there was a very strong orchestra under tho huton of Herr Carl Schmitt, while tho aptitude for stago busi ncsa exhibited generally by chorus and principals prered conclusively that Mr J. A. Meade's time and stage knowledge had not been given in vain. The vocal success of the leading performers-speaking of them collectively—was not so great as it might havo been, or as it has been on the occasion of previous amateur performances of opera. Still, allowance hae to be made for tho diffidence incidental to a first appearance before tho footlights, and thie discrepancy will be gradually minhnieed by evory subsequent performance.

. Frcm a pu rely musical point of view Mr Percy Dufaur made by far the most favourable impression. In vocal ability and gifts ho ia facile princeps Besides having a fine sonorous baritone of rich quality and agreeable timbre, he has also the skill to use it well and artistically. Hia style recals to mind his quondam teacher, Signor Kiccardi, exhibiting as it dooe many of tho merits and some of the peculiarities of that gentleman's singing. Mr Dufaur'e portamento is good, and hie enunciation is comparatively c!oar. Aβ the Marquis he Was well suited in role, and his forinor stiffness in acting has disappeared. His first vocal " hit " last night was in the valse rondo, " With Joy My Heart," which ho sang with vory nice expression and excellent taste. It elicited prolonged applause, culminating in an emphatic encore. Mr Dufuaraleo took a very effective part in tho finale to the first act, but the drawing of his eword upon old Gaspard was a mistaken piece of stage bueinees. In tho recitativo and air " Silont Heroes," Mr Dufaur was again heard at his beet, and onco moro the audionce insistod upon tho privilege of encoro. Bo also took hie part vory successfully in tho closing duet with Gerinaino. Mrs Cooper (Serpolefcte) and Mr A. Tayler (Gaspard) may fairly claim tho chief distinction and ehaie tho honours for acting. In both instances their parts wore very cleverly pourtrayed, while at the same time the music allotted them received satisfactory treatment. Mrs Coopor entered with graceful abandon into the impersonation of Serpolette, and by her chic, vivacity and mobility showed that she very correctly apprehended the part, beeides having the talent to successfully evolve her conception. The role certainly fita her, and the wears it capitally. Her eingiug, toe, was much appreciated, although we have heard her to bettor advantage. Her first number, tho rondo, "I May Bo Princess," was eomowhat abridged, but evoked a round of applauso, while the " Housemaid's Song " owed its success in no inconsiderable measure to her singing and action. Hor "Ghost Song," and tho ensuing by play with tho Bailee and Gobo that is associated with it, fairly brought down the houseand led almost to adouble encore. The " Cider Bong " was also well rendered. A better amatetr actor than Mr Tayler could not bo found for the -difficult part of Gaspard, but it is matter for regret that it rails for but elight vocal effort. His make-up as the old miser was admirable, and his action was studied, yet easy and thoroughly natural. Hie dry, harsh cackle of a laugh, his stooped figure, his wrinkled face and quavering voice wore all in keeping with the character ; but it was in the scene wherein Gaspard is surprised at bis fancied seclusion with hia gold that Mr Tayler fairly eclipsed himself, and made his most tolling "hit." Mr J. Edwards appeared as Grenicheux, and very soon showed that ho is rapidly acquiring ease and confidence of action. His tinging, too, was effective, excepting that once or twice he managed to get a little out of tune. However, for an initial performance he achieved a decided success. His rondering of the barcarole "On Billow Kocking '' produced the first encore of the evening, and he also made a " hit " with tho valse song, "That Night I'll Ne'er; Forget," while ho took bis share of the concerted pieces with credit. Mjse Holroyde eracted the part of Germaino, but was too timorous to do justice to herself in action. As to her voice, it is very light— rathor too light, in fact—but what it lacks in strength and volume is made up in sweetness. Its timbre is extremely pleas ing. The lady also sings with taste. Her most taking numbers wero " The Legend of the Belle," with its captivating refrain and the air "The Norman Custom." Mr E. P. Hudson, as Gobo, carrios off the palm for buffo skill, and quite threw the Bailie into the shad's although he had a capable impereonatorinMrll. Walpole. Both gentlemen were very amusing, but a little less " gag " both from them and Grenicheux would be an improvement. The puns and local allusions will also boar revision. Of the subordinate characters Mies Reove and Mies G. Blandford were far and away the best. Mi Y. E. Roinah is a rather advanced " boy " as to stature and precocity, but his acting U unconstrained and entertaining. The quintette was the least successful of the lesser concerted numbers, and the " Housemaid's Song " the best of them.

As for the chorus it wae strong, resolute, and effective. Its moat effective numbers werothe "DingDong Chorus" and "Silent Horoes," while tho protty staccato chorus, "Let Our Torches," wae also very ugreeably interpreted. Tho costumes were attractive and correct, and tho stage business, as already mentioned, was capital. The instrumentation was altogether too powerful. An orchestra of 28 performers, embracing a larpe number of brasees and roods, is out of all proportion to the strength of any chorus that could be placed upon tho etage of the Opera House Besides, the playing through was too much of a sustained forte. The drum filled too heavy a part in tho orchestration of the first act last night, and in a smaller measure so did tho bassoon. The players of both instruments will have to study a little self-effanement. Bells would be an improvement upon the triangles in the passages wherein the latter are employed. The instrumentation generally must be toned down, for last night the clangour at times completely drowned the ringing of pome of the solos aud duets HorrSchrnitt conducted with tact and skill, and Mr Fred Earl made an efficient stage manager. The opera will be repeated this evening, and it is to be hoped that the comic situations and the intervale will not be unduly protracted, as the performance must be brought within reasonable limits aa to time.