"THE ABBESS OF WHITBY."

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 282, 28 November 1925, Page 18

"THE ABBESS OF WHITBY."

(To the Editor.; Sir, —Having Avitness'cd this performance, I am constrained to write a few sentences, and thereby help all concerned in its production and incidentally tlu city which has the good fortune to possess its authors aud interpreters. It is not Avithout the bounds of commendatory license to say that it is the happiest collaboration between composer and librettist the Antipodes (apart from "Maritana") "has known. It is a wholesome relief from the banal apologies for entertainments the Dominion for years has suffered under. The present local production loses not its grip upon the audience from curtain rise to its fall. The writer read with lack of vital n_ terest somo of the corespondenee through the Press, of praise and blame, but upon reading Mr. Leary's defence of his creation, determined to judge for myself — hence these comments. The opera has a true and sustained ring throughout, Avhether it be dealing with humour or pathos, or a blending of both. The eon ception is good and the scenery and tin "Venerable Bede" language and characters are as true to life as can be portrayed in this century. It was a rare treat to find a coherent work with exhilarating and tuneful music and dignified and bright dialogue. Nothing upon our stage has been better or more convincing than Miss Kae's. impersonation the difficult role of the Abbess. Elfrida was passing fair,- Miss Murphy as the king's daughter did well, but was physically handicapped in being called upon to play the part of a strong and fierce denunciator. Mr. Snell was well cast and carried conviction, and gave pleasure in the music that fell to llin full rich voice. Cedric was good. The elves were good, the ballets also, the choruses fair, and the beer-barrel quartet excellent. All- in all. we have not had its like for many, many years. It is not hard to predict that "The Abbess of Whitby" has come to take its place among the elect of operatic works. In the newspaper controversy there AA*as no occasion Jfor theological rancour, even though rationalists will approve the playwright's treatment of tbe subject.—l am, etc., C. E. MAJOR.