GRAND OPERA.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 228, 26 September 1928, Page 18

GRAND OPERA.

BIZET'S "CARMEN."

The Fuller-Gonealez Opera Company gave a colourful performance of Bizet's "Carmen" in the St. James' Theatre last evening before an appreciative audience. The cast was in the hands of experienced artists, the fascinating orchestration was fully presented by the instrumentalists, the chorus entered lustily into the singing of the concerted pieces, and were picturesquely grouped. Effective was the stage setting, lighting and costumes. The chef d'orchestre, Signer Giovanni Gonsalez, extracted everything possible from his company, securing striking effects in the eneemible climaxes, and secured, on the whole, a meritorious performance of this famous masterpiece. "Carmen" is an opera in four acts, words by Meilhae and Halevy, adapted from Prosper Merimee's romance of Carmen, and was first produced at the Opera Comique, Paris, on March 3, 1875, with Madame Galli-Marie in the title role, and Mdlle. Chapny as Micaela. It is the largest and most popular of the master's works, and one of the leading operas in the Modern French repertory. One of the peculiar effects throughout the opera is the predominence of its monotonous Moorish minor scale, with refrains which are used as a kind af choral obligato, Spanish in character. This gives an Oriental and characteristic quality to the music. There are no tedious moments in the composition, and the intensely dramatic character of the concluding act is unquestionably one of the greatest features in the work. The character of Micaela is not found in the original story, but was introduced byBizet, doubtless for the purpose of making a foil to Carmen and providing a soprano part. The orchestra opened with a brilliant performance of the Prelude, presenting its attractive themes, joyous, and dazzling music and bull-fight fanfare in spirited fashion, and was also heard in a delicate rendering of the lovely intermezzo leading to Act 111. Signorina Nina Algozzina gave the Carmen music in vivid colours. She secured a light and pleasing delivery of the "Halbanera," and was also heard in a striking performance of the air "Presso il Bastion" and lent valuable aid in the concerted numbers. Signorina Maria Henkina acted and sang the part of Micaela iti a charming way. She looked the earnest, innocent maiden, and her pleasing voice and sympathetic bearing added special significance to the characterisation. She gave Micaela's aria "Io dico no"—the most effective solo in the opera, and one which ■hows Wagner's influence upon the composer—in a manner reflecting its many beautiful appeals, and contributed in a legato manner, very sweetly, the expressive solo with the chorus, and was heard to advantage in the exquisite duo with Don Jose. Siguor A. Tamburini, as Don Joae, sang and acted in a creditable style. He secured, with Micaela, a success in the part reflecting upon their bright and happy childhood's days, sang in an allargando and expressive manner "Ah, Cruel 'tie Oarmen." Tenderly expressed was the delicate "II Fiore," and the subsequent concerted number was dramatically sustained by the solo voices. Descriptively rendered was the duet with Escamillo, in the third act, and Tamburini also delivered a telling performance with Carmen in the last scene. Siguor Izal, as Eecamillo, was heard in a vigorous rendering of the stirring aria "Toreador Attentio," and in the quarrel duo with Don Jose used his vibrant voice to good purpose. The opening song of the gipsies "Vezzi e Annella" received a sparkling delivery, and the beautiful quintet "Abbiamo in vista," was a notable piece of choral work, and vigorously treated was "Viva! 'tis a fight," and the final "Toreador Chorus." Signor A. Alfieri made an acceptable Luniga and the parts of Frasquita, Mercedes, El Daneairo, and El Remendado were suitably sustained by Signorine A. Mazza and M. Pfrimmer, and Signori C. Gislon and A. Gilardi respectively. To-night Verdi's "Rigoletto" will be performed, and to-morrow evening Ambroise Thomas' "Mignon" will be produced for the first time.