GRAND OPERA.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19459, 5 November 1928, Page 8

GRAND OPERA.

FULLER-GONSALEZ COMPANY.

«IL TROVATORE." As it began, so ended the operatic season of the Fuller-Gonsalez Company on Saturday night, with "II Trovatore" in the same admirable cast that united so many good singers. Hie repulsive subject of the opera, finding mere bloodshed too tame a thrill, resorts there to the grid-iron or some such expedient and much of the music has become rather trite. Still, ifc catches. But each character was strongly represented, and vocally effective in execution.

Signora Algozzino, above all, powerfully and pathetically depicted Azucena, the old, persecuted gipsy, and the hapless Leonora of Signorina Sylvestri contrived to rouse sympathy by song and acting. Excellent each in his part, Signori Rota, Izal, and Fumagalli were again close rivals for preference, except that to Manrico and Count di Luna fell the heavier tasks. Signorina Pfrimmer and Stgnor Gislon were helpful, and the soloists combined well in concerted music. The chorus, gipsies, -unlike their kind, in spotless white, and soldiers, looking like firemen, sang with moderation and good harmony, while throughout, all the singing was ably led by the orchestra under Signor Giovanni .Gonsalez.

The difficult venture of opera by this company involving the choice of so many competent singers, was very ably accomplished, and the more creditable for a first attempt. Finally, referring to a matter of taste, audiences here' should bear in mind that in opera interruptions by applause after each solo are altogether out of place. Artists are not even supposed to take notice. Different from concerts made up of unrelated items, in opera continuity of scene is as essential as in drama. Admiration may be suitably expressed at the end of each act, when recalls can be indulged in freely, without offence, and every favourite drowned in applause without mercy.' If thev have died, resurrection is delayed to] the verv end. Now and then, rarely, • something occurs that may override all conventions and logic. Did not Joshua stop the sun?