Splendid “Porgy And Bess”

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30688, 2 March 1965, Page 14

Splendid “Porgy And Bess”

The New Zealand Opera Company has given us many an impressive performance in the past but last evening’s first performance here of Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess” far surpassed them all. Because of its frightening difficulty musically and in production many people would have gone to the show prepared to make allowances for shortcomings and for “first-night” accidents. No allowances had to be made for this absolutely splendid and completely - convincing rendering.

Congratulations are meritoriously deserved by the directorate of the Opera Company for its courage in tackling such a fantastically difficult work and it is to be hoped that such a shining artistic success will repay them for the many anxieties and nerve-fretting obstacles encountered in the last few months. To the chorus and to their trainer, Mr Harry Brusey, unqualified praise and admiration must be given for the many beautiful effects created by their singing. In spite of weeks of arduous rehearsal. the voices were fresh and of excellent quality—quite deeply enchanting and emotionally affecting on many an occasion during the evening. Their relaxed and uninhibited acting was a delight to the audience, a reward for their very hard work in rehearsal, and a clear indication of the sheer genius of Miss Ella Gerber, the producer, who was brought to New Zealand from the United States, and who has had, most regrettably, been forced to return there before she could see such a wonderful result of her work and receive the unstinted acclamation which certainly must be hers. The orchestra, consisting of

the New Zealand Theatre Ensemble, together with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, played this fantastically difficult score with unhesitating security and most praiseworthy musical polish, both technically and artistically. The musical director, Mr Dobbs Franks, has, in a very short time, welded them into a compact and thoroughly responsive ensemble for the unfolding of his penetrating insight of the opera. Much credit for the success of this invaluable new addition to the country’s orchestral resources must go to Mr Ashley Heenan who has smoothed the way, and fought the inevitable battles which accompany the founding of anything new and important All the players, led with such experienced distinction by Miss Ruth Pearl, have worked with whole-hearted diligence to achieve such an excellent standard.

The principal members of

the cast all gave powerfully dramatic renderings which will long be remembered and must have been a continual inspiration to their less-ex-perienced colleagues. Inia Te Wiata, as Porgy, held everyone’s rapt attention by his powerful creation of the part and by the golden beauty of his voice. Martha Flowers, who came here from America for the part of Bess, has a ringingly beautiful operatic soprano voice and her acting showed why she has received acclaim in many parts of the world for her interpretation of her role. Delores Ivory, also from the United States, has a lyric soprano voice of deeply-affecting beauty. Her singing in front of the murdered body of her husband together with the keening of the chorus was a great highlight of the evening. The other imported artist, John Me. Curry, gave tremendous verve to the role of Crown for which his great physique makes him so eminently Suitable. Unfortunately a severe

attack of laryngitis handicapped his singing and his speaking. And of the many others who deserve special mention only Toni Williams can have the space we would like to offer. As Sporting Life he gave the required slinkiness of the serpent in the herbage. The stage setting, the astonishingly beautiful colouring created by clever lighting, the many finely-wrought and subtle pieces of stage-craft (amazing use of windowshutters being only one among so many), the tremendous drive and pace of the production, the charming costuming, the natural movements which gave such authentic life, and the highly attractive music all combined to give a grand show which was a resounding success.—C.F.B.

Jazz Band Welcomed

The Mayor (Mr G. Manning) said he was thoroughly appreciative of the co-opera-tion of the United States Department of State in bringing

the University of Denver Jazz Band to Christchurch to take part in the Pan Pacific Arts Festival. He was welcoming the band at a civic reception, yesterday. The band was one of America’s top-ranking jazz bands and had built up a significant reputation in overseas countries. The band would provide additional interest at the festival and prove a great attraction for the musical interest of the younger people of Christchurch, said Mr Manning.

The United States Ambassador to New Zealand (Mr H. B. Powell) said the cultural exchange programme was one of the great roads to understanding and closer relationships with good friends and allies like New Zealand and to world peace. Many band members were preparing for a teaching career, one member had his bachelor degree in mathematics and was studying for his science mastership. Membership of the band was a prerequisite for membership in the university orchestra, he said.

Mr T. Harris, the leader of the band, presented the Mayor with a plaque showing the University of Denver.