MONTAGUE-TURNER OPERA COMPANY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 169, 17 July 1894, Page 5

MONTAGUE-TURNER OPERA COMPANY.

" FAUST."

Tns ra-appearance ab tho Opeia House of the well-known Opera Company, after the interval of a week, which was allowed to obpse owing to tbe unexpected death of Mr Charles Turner, was evidently looked forward to with mote tban usual interest, if the large audionco present lasb evening to Witness the production of Gounod's greab work, " Faust," would testify. The downstairs portion of the building was crowded, whilst the dre^s circle had also a large number of patrons. The representation of thefavouribeopera was undoubtedly the mosb successful of bhe present season. " Faust" is peculiar in haviug comparatively few songs in ib—the work being largely carried on by recitative and chorus. The few solos, however, are gems which we cannot help appreciating however often they are repeated, and they aro all very widely known. The members of the Company all carried out their respective parts in a manner which made everthing run smoothly and well. Miss Montague has not appeared to better advantage during the season than she did in the character ot Marguerite, which she sustained with a perfection quite fulfilling the most lavish expectations thab had been formed of her impersonation of the village maid. Than tbe beautiful though difficult "Jewel Song" one could hardly have expected to hear anything thab could be more exquisitely rendered and appreciated, and it was with the entire wish of the audience thab ib was repeated. At tho conclusion of the song, Miss Montague was presented with a number of handsome bouquets. Mr. Edward Farley appoared to revel in the part of Mephistopheles throwing into the character al! the spirit of diabolical cynicism and humour of which it is capable. In his various songs he was invariably appreciated, whilst his represontatioH of the serenade, " Catarina, Whilo you Play at Sleeping," was aa successful as it could be, his excellent baritone voice being heard to great advantage. In the par. Siebel, Miss Cicely Staunton gave a most faithful impersonation. Her rich contralto voice w»3 of special service to her, and she acted with fine sympathy the role of the unselfish loyal friend. " Gentlo Flowers in tho Dew" was brightly sung, and jusb the right expression was introduced into " All Was Young." Mr William Walshe carried out the title role of Faust in a manner also deserving of great praise. He was well mado up, and sang kis neveral songs laurinbly and woll. Ho was specially good in the recitatives afc tho opening of the opera, and alao in the third act. His best effort was perhaps the cavatina in tho garden scene, "Hail, Thou Pure and Hallowed Dwelling," which was masterly rendered, and he was also successful in "Be Mine the Delight". Mr Fred England as Valentine rendered his songs much better than at any other time this season—the cavatina, "Even Bravest Heart May Swali," and the solo, " Sister Onco Loved, Now Deserted," being skilfully treated. In tha death scene, too, Mr England pub all bhe effect inbo his interpretation of the character that tho part admitted. Mr Geo. Has well and Miss Maud Lita as Wagner and Martha respectively, wera not in any way backward in contributing to the success of the piece, whilst the chorus wero well up to their' work, and wero very successful and effective in rendering tho " Soldiers' Chorus," which was repeated in response to enthusiastic applause.

This evening, Bizeb's grand oper., "Carmen," will be staged. Miss Montague will take the title role, in which sho has also beon very successful. Miss Staunton, who has become qtfite a favourite with the public since the Company's stay here, will appear this evening in the role of Frasquita, which she has kindly consented to take to oblige tho management. Mr Farley will represent Escamillo, and Mr Wm. Walshe Dou Jose.