THE OPERA.

Press, Volume XLVII, Issue 7527, 17 April 1890, Page 6

THE OPERA.

" THE MIKADO." iTo ChriStcliurch playgoers the rausic and incidents of "The Mikado"- afei almost as familiar as a twice-told*, tktifU Hence it was to be expected—as indeed; was the case—that last night on its re-' vtval by the Williamson, Garner* and Musgrove company, all the points in the dialogue and the gems in the musical part of the opera would be received with enthusiasm by the audience. This appreciation led to the lengthening of the opera somewhat, as nearly all the principal numbers were re-demanded. It was put on the stage wi&h that careful attention to details which has marked all the , productions by the management, and the two sets were admirable, particularly that in the first act, which was a most charming reproduction of all the quaint-ness of the dwelling of a Japanese man of high rank. Though we have had the opera produced here several times, both by professional companies and our own amateurs, the "business"—to speak technioaily—has never been given with such fullness and success before. Every little point was made most effective both by the principals and chorus, and as in stage representations, both dramatic and musical, it is the attention to details which go so far to make up the general perfection of the whole performance, the production of the opera as a spectacle was by far the most decided success we have ever had here. So also, with .one or two exceptions, was the performance, and these were mainly from a mistaken conception of the ideas of the author in respect to the characters. Miss: Merivale has not appeared in anything—both histrionically and mueically—witn such decided success as in Yum Yum. She has evidently carefully studied the character, and the result is a very finished performance from first to last. The childlike innocence of the artless Japanese beauty, full of unconscious coquetry and trrace, was most admirably pourtrayed by Miss Merivale. The music is well within her range, and suits her style of voice. In the well-known trio "Three Little Maids," Miss Merivale was heard to advantage, and she was also good in the duet " Were you not to Ko Ko." But it was in the solo which opens the second act, "TheSun and I," in which Miss Merivale made, her greatest success during the evening. It * was not only eung exceileutly, but she gave a wonderfully clever dramatic picture — if one can use the term—of the song by her by-play. It was deservedly encored and enthusiastically applauded. In all the concerted music Miss Merivale was excellent, and throughout the opera, as has been said, she achieved an undeniable success. The part of Katisha gave Miss Fanny Liddiard full scope for tne display of her powers, both as an actress and a singer, and she took full advantage of it. Her make-up was excellent, and she made all the points .in the dialogue with great effect. Her opening solo. " Oh, Fool," was very nicely sung indeed, and the same may be said of the concerted music in which she took part. The fine scena, "Alone and yet Alive "—which nearly approaches in point of elaborateness of composition to grand opera — was sung by Miss Liddiard most artistically, and fully deserved a warmer recognition at the hands of the audience than it received. It was really a great treat. The character throughout was both sung and acted with much talent and an intelligent conception of the humour which is so marked a Characteristic of the whole opera. Miss Katie Potter made a very good PitciSiug and sang the music of the part nicely, and Miss May Pollard was also good in Peep 80. Both ladies ably assisted Miss Merivale in tbe trio " Three Little Maids." Of Mr Vernon's Ko Ko it ,is scarcely necessary to write much.. It is a performance which all Cnristchurch playgoers know and appreciate, and it will ' perhaps suffice to say that he was equally good, as on former occasions. Of course he was encored tot " Tit Willow," which he sings with a wealth of humor which makes it irresistibly funny, and several other numbers were re-demanded. The ballad-like and pretty rausic of Nanki Poo is just suited to Mr LcuJQane's voice, and he sang throughout very sweetly and effectively. This was especially the case in ." A wandering minstrel," the different phases'of' which were very artistically pourtrayed. In the duet, V Were you not to Ko-Ko," and indeed in .atl the concerted music, as well as in his solos, Mr Leumane was heard to more advantage than in any other character in which he has appeared, during the season. Mr Imano seemed somewhat to misunderstand the character of Poo Bah from ac acting point of view. He made it pedantic without being dignified, and there was an absence of the pourtrayal of that vein of humor which, despite his family pride, is so essentially a characteristic of the distinguished pluralist. Hence it was that mauy of the intensely funny points in the dialogue allotted to Pooh Bah fell flatly. He sang the music very well . indeed, especially his part in " The criminal cried," and in the concerted music, more particularly the madrigal, his fine voice was heard to advantage. Mr Johnson gave, an altogether new reading of the part of the Mikado, and one which we venture to think was erroneous. He made him a sort of comic old man, altogether losing sight of the dignity of so exalted a personage as the Emperor of Japan.Hesanghisnrstsolo very well indeed, and the well deserved compliment of an encore was paid to his singing of "My object all sublime." Indeed, it may be said that his singing throughout deserved great praise, and the only defect in what would have otherwise have been a very good performance was the point-to which attention has already been drawn. Mr Grucdy made a good Pish Tush, and was appropriately dignified. He sang the music of the part well, especially in the concerted pieces. The choruses throughout were exceedingly good, especially " Braid the.raven hair," and the business was admirably done by all concerned. The male voices were good in the opening chorus " We're gentlemen of Japan. The orchestra, under M. Leon Caron, scored a success in the. overture, which was;played crisply and. well, and throughout' the opera the instrumentation was exceedingly good. "The Mikado" will be played to-night for the last time, being replaced to-morrow evening by, Audran's "La Mascotte," which was so successful on a former visit of tbe Company.