ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 279, 18 August 1908, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"FAUST." : ; The rovival of Gounod's "Faust" by tho 'Wellington Musical Union, under Mr. Robert Parker at tho Town Hall last evening, was, when one considers the serious position in which matters wore thrown by tho unexpected indisposition of Sir. Charles Saunders, the English tenor, who had been specially engaged to take tho part of "Faust," a most successful one. The big hall was crowded in all parts, and the disappointment felt by tho audience .over the loss of Mr. Saunders was only equalled by tho hearty appreciation of tho capable manner in which Mr. E. J. Hill, at practically 24 hours notice, stopped into tho breach, and sang most creditably tho very exacting music allotted to .the tenor , part. Before tho commencement of: tho performance,- Mr. J. AV. Ooynt, President of tho Musical Union, briefly explained- the position of affairs, and expressed the very grfeat indebtedness under which the Union had been placed to Mr. Hill for his willingness to come forward at such short notice. Ihe production of tho opera was successful[in every way. The orchestra, though a littlo ragged hero and there, was equal to its work, and skilfully conducted by Mr. larkor was able to get into closo touch with Mr. Hill in the tenor soli, despite tho fact that no rehearsal had been possible. Tho work of tho chorus was not very heavy, nor very exacting, and tho bright operatic music was very well sung. Conspicuous in attractiveness wero tho choruses of the "Fair" sceno, tho charming choral valso "Light as Air," and tho rousing "Soldiers' Chorus." Miss Rosina Buckmann, as principal soprano, with truo artistic intuition, caught the characteristic atmosphcro of her part as "Margarita"; lior singing of tho famous "Jewel. Song" was her best effort. Miss 'Buckmann is, however, developing a somewhat pronounced vibrato, and her singing ( produced a less favourable impression than when she was last heard in."Faust," previously produced by tho Musical Union/ Mrs. F. P. Wilson, as " Siebel,",showed an artistic conception of her part, and sang r very sweetly, "Gentle Flowers in the Dew, and "When all was_ Young." Mr. Hamilton Hodges, as "Mpphistopheles," gave a dramatic flavour to his conception of the demoniacal music allotted to him. His singing; of "Clear tho way for tho Calf of Gold" , being especially'fine. Tho work of Mr. P. Hockley, as "Valentine," was on the lyhole good, and in certa.in passages ho was appropriately dramatic, t particularly in the duel scene and death song, "Hear my last words." Mr. 1 F. Laycock had a' modest task to perform as "Wagner," and successfully carried it out. Of Mr. Hill, it has already been said that he bore himself with great credit. Ono of his best efforts was tho song, "All Hail, Thou Dwelling, puro and lowly." ~. . THEATRE ROYAL. The largo audience at. Fullers' last night saw again the American Fleet move majestically up San 'Francisco Harbour, and' cheered tho magnificent" spectacle so splondidly reproduced. Evory interest also at-tf-raed tho appearance of ( tho well-known 1 performers Bob Lloyd, Miss Nellie Power, 'ihe Swifts, and others. The programmo at present submitted is an excellent ong. . HIS . MAJESTY'S THEATRE. Tho people rolled up agaiu at tho Royal Picture display last eveniug once liiore to see the "Quo Vadis" items and other interesting pictures, comprising tho present tirst-class programmo. After to-night's display a cliango of programmo will 1)8 submitted. •' , OLYMPIA RINK; There wero large attendances at' all scs-; sions of tho Olyrapia Skating Rink yesterday. The principal attraction last evening was the final match in the polo tournament, tho teams on the floor being called Kia Qra and Poneko. Tho teams wero evenly matched, and it wa3 soon apparent that tho contest was going to bo closo and interesting. Tho pace was extremely fast, and long beforo the conclusion, many of those participating wero bathed in perspiration. Tho battle waged fast and furious, tho play alternating at either end. There were crowds of spectators, all deeply engrossed in watching .tho contest and applauding overy piece of protty play or slight advantage gained. It was certainly a fascinating and attractive spectacle to observo tho progress of tho game and iioto tho agility and extreme rapidity of movement of tho participants, rushing forward,' circling, reversing, and racing in the endeavour to scoro the elusive goal. They fought desperately, strained every, nerve, and some, at least, must have been well: nigh exhausted at the finish. Tho whole sccno was picturesque in the extreme, and the. interest was' never relaxed for a moment. Just beforo the call of time, tho Kia Ora representatives managed to score, thus winning the game. ,