AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 11877, 26 April 1904, Page 9

AMUSEMENTS.

WILLIAMSON OPERA CO. The production last night of "Ma M;<> Rosette" drvw .i large house, -ill part* of the theatn- being tilled. Tho plot- of the opera i.s in a romantic mould, and it is owing uuiinly io th-- fact that ihe story is of this chai-auter that its popularity is due. Musically s]n>akiiig, tlit-re L» not ;i gr:-at deal in "it, though hc-rs and there, particularly in ilk> waltz f-ting "Ma Mis Rosette," the air of which dominates the opera, it is of a kind likely to catch the ear. But the dream of the peasant girl, in which the wooing of Henri of Navarre plays .so conspicuous a part, holds the attention of th<- .-ludionc*. In tho last production of tho opera here with Miss Nellie Stewart in tlie name part, Miss Florence Young, who last night tilled the role, took the part of the jealous Courtlady. Gorisander. It was a tribute to the talents of the clever young actress that- m the interval fhe should have achieved the position of the leading (character to the opera, and more so that with the formidable task of essaying it after such an artist as Miss Nellie Stewart, she should liave made -*uch an undoubted success as that of last, night. She sang the music excellently, particularly the exacting solo, "I've Been Dreaming," which was most artistically given. She also realised to the full the part histrionically. Miss Young also sang the pretty romance, "He was a Curly-headed Boy," very well indeed. Butit. was in the very trying scene in the chateau with the King, which require-most careful treatment, that Mi« Young showed her capability. Throughout the part wan played with power and sueces». Miss Ohiloni had little or nothing to do as (WiRande, which wa« to be regretted, considering her Buccejw in other parts of a more ambitious nature. Mr Haigh Jackson's Henri, musically, was excellent, but he lacked power in the delineation of the romance of the part. He failed to convey the power of the patasion which sweeps away the difference, between the monarch and the peasant maid, which invests the character of Henri with romance. Mr Jackson was heard to advantage in the waltz Eong, "Ma. Mie Rosette," and also in the duet with Miss Young in the chateau. The part of Vincent did not afford an opportunity of hearing Mr Roberts's really fine tenor voice to advantage. It is one of those disappointing characters .which, while calling for a good deal of hard work from the performer, does not carry .it with commensurate reward in the shape of pleasing the audience. The song in which Vincent takes leave of Rosette before going to the •ball, was excellently given. Mr Lauri was circumscribed in his impersonation of the [character of Bouillon, by the fact that I there was no scope for the display of his particular line of humour, though he made the moat of tbe materials at hand. Tho other characters in the piece were well filled. Like all the productions during the season, the opera, was splendidly staged, and the chorus and orchestra did good work.' To-night, which -is the las£ of the season. "The Mikado" will ba produced, with Miss Florence Young as Yum Yum, Mr Bantock as Pooh Bah, and Mr Lauri as Ko Ko.