GRAND OPERA SEASON.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16743, 28 January 1920, Page 8

GRAND OPERA SEASON.

LUCIA D 1 LAMMERMOOR.

Donizetti's "Lucia" follows fairly closely Sir Walter Scott's romance, tho "Bricic of Lammcrmoor," except that Edgar of Ravenswood adopts a speedier mode of self-destruction as nioro effoctivo on the stage. For Donizetti, in his -way, a wonderful man, open; composing was a daily and easy pastime, an inoxhaustible flow of sweot melody, too honeyed often, was always at his command. A characteristic stoiy is fastened to him that when he was told Rossini had completed the "Barber of .Seville" in a fortnight, ho replied: "0 yes 1 Rossini always was a lazy fellow 1" But he himself is said to havo soent six weeks over the writing of "Lucia," a great feat even so. None, however, know better what his countrymen liked, and he gavo to them full measure. He also possessed a dramatic sense not t-o bo despised, as exemplified at various stages of the opera, notably in the sceno, when Edgar finds himself betrayed by Lucy, and again in Edgar's invocation to the spirits of his anoestors. , Tho opera, sung in Italian* proved its undiminished powers of attr&ition bv the snlendid attendance it eecuxod. As to the Derformanec, it can well dB said that "it made something like a sensation. Still another lady singer, lcopt in reserve, appeared in the titlerole. and carried everything before her. With such a charming stage figure, Miss Gertrude Johnson combines a,n unmistakeablo aptitudo for dramatic acting sure and confident, as if she had long moved on the stage. But it was the beauty of her girlish fresh voice, the roundness of tone, a welldeveloped skill in "coloratura'* singing which she had ample opportunity of displaying in the florid passage work in staccati and trills and lovely messa di voce, effects of equal appeal Tip to the highest altitude, that made her "Lucia" a brilliant debut, which literally electrified the house. In Miss Tsla Gamble, as Alice, she found a thetic companion, , An ideally handsome, _ high.-pressur© lover was Sismor Lois, in tho part of the ill-fated Edgar of Ravenswood. He acted with a fine verve, especially m the scene of his repulsing: the faithless maid. As to his singing, nothing need bo added to previous critical comments. Mr Carl Pormes's acting and singing as the villainous Sir Honry /witon made an impressive and satisfying feature of the drama, and the "Raymond" of Sigi.or Alfredo "Valenti deserved once moro all tho praise bestowed upon him in the past. Very pleasingly was stmg Mr Browning Mummery's vocal part as Sir Arthur Bucklaw. The ladies and gentlemen engaged in the beautitul sextet, "Chi Mi Frena," sang well together, and the house was made happy by the response of tho artists to tho forcible demands for an encore. The scene in the hall of the castle tfas managed cleverly, and the chorus well schooled and in good harmony. The orchestra, tinder Mr Gustavo Slapoffski, was not overburdened with work with the "Donizetti setting; the harp solo and ffue obhgato were well The enthusiasm of the audience was maintained right through the opera, Mies Johnson and Signor Lois being first favourites. There will be a. matinee performance of "Tales of Hoffman" to-day, commencing at 2 p.m. r The season, which has been a remarkably successful and enjoyable one will be brought to a close to-night with the production^^