"IL TROVATORE."

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 239, 8 October 1932, Page 11

"IL TROVATORE."

FAVOURITE GRAND OPERA.

EXCEPTIONAL SOLOISTS.

ARTISTRY OF CASTAGNA

Of all operas, "II Trovatore" is possibly the most hackneyed. Many of the older generation may recollect having heard ground out, on the asthmatic barrel-organs of 40 and 50 years ago, such airs as "II Balen" and "Ah! che lav morte," whilst there cannot be many people, nowadays, who have not heard most of the popular numbers, sung by the world's most iamous operatic singers, per the medium of that modern miracle—the gramophone. And yet, there must, be great intrinsic merit in these familiar tunes, for "Trovatore" is still a good drawing card, and whenever it is produced by an opera company, there will always be a large audience ready to attempt the impossible by trying to follow an absurd plot, made still more difficult by being sung in a foreign language. However, the music is so vivid, that even a person who has not a clear grasp of the plot can sense the dramatic power of many of the scenes. Last night's large audience at His Majesty's once more attested that the melodious old-fashioned opera has not yet lost its vogue, and the WilliamsonImperial Grand Opera Compar.y added another success to its already long list. Great enthusiasm was displayed throughout_ the evening by the audience, and the principals received many curtain calls at the close of each of the four acts, a number of floral tributes being presented.

Seldom, if ever, have we heard in Auckland, such a fine cast of soloists as in this opera. The chief honours must go to Bruna Castagna, as Azucena, whose characterisation of the revengeful gipsy, driven to frenzy by hideous memories, was dramatic in the extreme. From her stirring opening number, "Stride la vampa," to the pathetic duet in the final act, "Ai nostri monti," uung with deep pathos, she held the rigid attention of her audience by her great artistry, and the beauty and richness of her voice. She was ably seconded by Pedro Mirassou, who gave a most virile presentation of the character of Manrico. His fine tenor voice is of a clear, resonant quality, entirely free from the unpleasant tremolo frequently heard in opera;

ia addition he possesses a very fine stage presence which, combined with a most striking and magnetic personality, makes an irresistible appeal to his audience. His acting was most intense and realistic, especially in the love scenes with Miss de 'Gunst.

Another outstanding performance was that of Apollo Granforte in the baritone role of the Conti di Luna. This was a strong and most convincing portrayal of the part. His powerful, resonant voice, an organ of abnormal volume, was ideally suited to the martial character of the role. His singing of the beautiful solo "II Balen" was one of the gems of the evening, and histrionically he was most satisfying.

The part of Leonora was taken by Miss Mollie de Gunst, a young Australian dramatic soprano, with a powerful, full voice, rich in quality and sympathetic in tone, and who has a fine stage presence. At her first entrance, Miss de Gunst appeared to be somewhat nervous, . and this, no doubt, accounted for a slight tremolo which was at times inclined to mar her production. On the whole, however, she sang extremely well and received a most sympathetic reception from the audience. The minor role of Ferrando was in the capable hands of. Michele Fiore. An Auckland girl, Miss Eve Lynch, sang and looked the part of Inez very sweetly.

The work of the chorus throughout was outstanding, particularly the singing offstage in the "Miserere" scene, which was really delightful. Signor Emilio Rossi controlled his fine orchestra with his usual unobtrusive ability. The stage settings were exceedingly effective, both interior and exterior, that in the "Miserere" scene being particularly beautiful. The final performance of "Madame Butterfly" was given this afternoon. This evening at 7.45 the first performance of Bizet's "Carmen" will be given with a brilliant cast which includes Bruna Castagna in her famous role of Carmen, Pedro Mirassou as Don Jose, Apollo Granforte as Escamillo and Violet Rogers at Micaela. One of the features will be the spectacular side of the production. Four magnificent scenes will be presented, including the famous bull ring in Seville, and a wild mountain pass with special lighting effects modern to the grand opera stage. On Monday the first performance of "Cavelleria Rusticana" and "Pagliacci" will take place with one of the outstanding caste of the season.