Charming Operettas By Offenbach

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32253, 23 March 1970, Page 18

Charming Operettas By Offenbach

The New Zealand Opera! Company presented two Offen-j bach operettas, “Fortunio’s Song” and “R.5.V.P.,” in the Majestic Theatre on Saturday evening. To most of us these are unknown works, and, as such, turned out to be pleasant surprises. They were gay, charming and amusing. The second in particular made fun of opera itself, and it will be a sad day indeed for the New Zealand Opera Company, and for all of us, when we cannot take time off to laugh at ourselves.

Although these works are of light character they require expert handling and careful casting; and Dick Johnstone, the producer, deserves high praise for the verve with which both operettas were presented, and for his coaching of very good players so that sparkle was never wanting in either production. Peter McKenzie, in both works, showed that he is a versatile actor, playing the part of an old man in the first and an almost “hooped up” young one in the second. The whole of “R.S.V.P.” centred on him and his idea of writing his own opera, which comes to life on the stage in front of him, and his performance was a noteworthy one indeed. His voice, too, shows great promise. The casting of Emily Mair as Ernestine in the second work was splendid. Her vibrant voice is well known; and here she showed first-rate ability in acting a part calling for clowning and for effervescence of manner. George Henare, who has a well-con-trolled voice of attractive timbre, also showed versatility as an actor in two widely separated roles. Elizabeth Hellawell has long delighted us in many

operatic roles and as an interpreter of classical solos and of lieder. She has a glorious voice and an imagination which can go to the heart of a part. Until now we had not encountered her as a bibulous and over-amorous cook; it seemed, however, that this performance was so good that we could not imagine her cast in any other role. Doreen Morrow sang the part of Laurette with ringing tone of good quality and acted attractively. Josette Nicholls, Ana Veitch, MarieTherese Lauryssen, and Barbara Green, workers in Fortunio’s vineyard, were excellent as lascivious members of the Girls’ Unfriendly Society and nearly stole the show. Ken Casey’s tenor voice was heard to good advantage in both operettas, and Rodney Macann was excellent in voice !and in dramatic presence as Mr Cauliflower, making us wish that we could have heard him in a more exacting !role.

The Civic Orchestra played artistically and kept good balance. Sometimes, particularly in the first work, the soloists were not always with the orchestra, but the players seemed to synchronise well with one another and with the beat of Mr Alan Barker, the musical director, who set splendid paces and carried the performances along with verve and elan. The music was light but well in keeping with required atmosphere. There was plenty of sparkle, if no great substaqce, and it was all most pleasant to hear. The other performances of these works can be strongly recommended to all who appreciate an hilarious evening's entertainment, whether or not they have any interest in opera generally.