ENTERTAINMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 523, 2 June 1909, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"THE SLEEPING BEAUTY."

PERFORMED BY.THE WELLINGTON ', CHOIUL SOKIETY. The Town. Hall was fairly well filled last evening, when the Wellington Choral Society, under the baton of Mr. Robert Parker, gave a performance of Frederic H. Cpwen's cantata, "The Sleeping Beauty." Those who had not previously had the pleasure of hearing this strikingly beautiful and highly dramatio work, will wonder why it has not boon performed with greater frequency in Wellington. But an analysis of last night's effort will perhaps supply good and suilicient reason. Tho cantata is not by any means as simple a work a3 the uninitiated might suppose from its somewhat, pantomimic title. It makes great aemauus orchostrally, and calls for soloists of a type that are not usually at tho beck and call of our musical societies.. The great pity one must express in criticising the Choral Society s effort is that it was not given two or three more rehearsals. The lack of these was at times, painfully, apparent'in tho or-' chestra, which, -capable enough, perhaps, in its personnel, would have played with more confidence with a little more tuition, at the t£i ? f J. ts TOteran conductor. In tho first third of the cantata the fine dramatic colouring that Cowen has given the orchestration was obscured by a timidity of approach in the intricate leads which abound, and an absence .of tone-body that, such a band should produce. The strings were painfully thin at times, and there was a harshness and unevenness apparent in tho double basses and French horns that indicated an absonce of that perfect familiarity with the music, without which.it is futile to expect tho: best; results... The choir' was strong numerically, particularly so in tho: soprano section, but here again weaknesses were apparent. The tenor section displayed ho vocal fibre and for their: numbers-there were 60. of them—the sopranos gave little indication of their apparent strength. -It was only on occasions that the choir rejoiced, in the fine work that fell to its lot, a-notable instance being the secdhtf phase of the'joyous and melodious waltz theme that illumines, the opening of the first scene and is ret-' peated again at the close. Making allowances for the orchestra] shortcomings, the soloists did remarkably We KJ& E - J - Hiil as tne P «nce, not so well fitted as usual, infused a good deal of character into his work. This was not sd obvious m his first solo (in which the orchestra was noticeably "tender"), but in the final duet with the Princess (Mrs. F. P. Wilson), he rose to the occasion, and declaimed his music with commendable 1 vigour and purpose, and well deserved the applause he received. Mrs. Wilson made a gallant attempt at a part m which she was overtaxed.' Her music, was difficult and more highly florid than the Imes indicate, and would have taxed tho resources of ;many a singer 'of greater dramatic character than' the one entrusted with, tho part. Sho did very, well in "her scene with the ping, but tho aria with which It concludes beyond the oompass of her powers. Her best work was undoubtedly that where sho was associated with Mr an m the lorn; impassioned duet which fol.ows her awakening from the spell of tho ■wUi 'f S r " h T-?- c . Mt « u P° n ' her - and the whole of the Ring's Court. Tho' greatest surprise and pleasure of the evening was tho singmg of Mr E. J. Parkes as tno King. SrY??« \M not a '2 rc at deal to <10, but' that littlo stood out monumentally, -and eave the audience an illustration of tho manner in which a voice of the glorious quality such as tho singer possesses, with the requisite dramatic intelligence behind it. can lift a performance. He sang .all his music well, "I™.'-! r ■ . broad deol ainatory solo beginning •Ohild, ask me no more," he was particularly fine, the score (not to mention r the. conductor) permitted, ho would n„T^ e ° n t acoordotl m nation. Another excellent performance .was that, of Mrs, E B Buokeridgo, a newcomer to Wellinston, who" %W°* mth contralto voice, capable of a good.doal of expression'an'd very offectivo in the lower register.. Mrs. Buckeridge.gaye evidence-of an. intelligent appreciation of her part, and:her performances in tho future will.be looked forward,:to swith,interest; and" pleasure. ■ ,The cantata. is • really, a delightful work, instinct with... melodic charm and.atmosphere, and.should it'be tho fortune of Wellington to hear it again, as one hopes it will, ,t would be well if it were given the. full measure of • rehearsal if requires, nay demands. '

"IN THE RANKS." -' 1' , ' - _ The melodrama "In' the Ranks" (Georgo JrtWii'^Tr 42B^' 8 the members of the Allan Hamilton Dramatic Company at the Opera House last evening, the production being a most successful one., Melodrama of the healthy type is always a strong attraction, and "In the Ranks" : is an excellent ex-' ample of this class of play. A matinee performance of the melodrama will be given tomorrow afternoon (Prince of Wales's Birthday). Mr. Hamilton' has decided upon a policy of quick changes, therefore, "fir tho Kanks' will only hold the boards for two more performances, ;viz., to-night and tomorrow at-the matinee.'. To-morrow evening (Thursday) and' Friday night ,"A Message from Mars" will be'staged by arrangement with Mpssrs. Charles Hawtrey and James yurzon, of London. ' This fantastical comedydrama never fails to draw large audiences, and with Mr. George Cross as Horace Parker in Sydney some few weeks ago the theatre was crowded nightly. ; . . "A' Message from {Jars - will be played for only two nights, aa , Slneen of.the Night," a drama full of. sensationalism,, sentiment, and pathos will be produced on.Saturday night.-- This will' ; be its initial production in New Zealand, and for its production Mr. Hamilton has brougfiE from Sydney some beautiful scenery and dresses. The holiday matinee to-morrow of "In'tho Ranks" will commence sharp at "two o'clock. |; ; ' jTHEATRE ROYAL. \: ', ' .Interesting ■ variety is the characteristic feature of the programme of kinematograph and oinephon'e entertainment provided for the public by Messrs. Fuller"at the Theatro Royal this week. Tho cinephono items are a great improvement on previous efforts in tho direction of combining pictorial action and ?, pc ?i ■.-reproduction. As for the picture show I- u ' * he , ser , l63 Presented is well up to tho high- standard .of. previous programmes. ;• HCTDRES. j A largo audience- witnessed the ■ final ■ presentation, of the;-week's ..programme at His Majesty 's Theatro last night. To-night" the customary.ohange will bemade, when an entirely new sei of; pictures will be screened, ihese wilLinclude a fine, pictorial illustration of. Tom-Hood's lyric, "The Bridge "of bighs. ■ . .Making Paper m Canada," shows the whole .process,;from felling the trees to the finished material. Those who have been amused,-and_ who h aß not,' by Punch and Judy, will .be shown "How .. the Figure works,< and samples of coloured kinematography .'will be shown in "The Bogey lWoman fairy story, and some daring feats.performed by "Buffalo Bill.'" The Deration to which birds, cats, dogs, etc., can be 'trained, also forms,-the subject of one of ,the series.: The scenic section will be headed by;some excellent views of Agra and Bonares. be a special holiday matinee to-morrpw' afternoon, and the usual matinee on Saturday;' ."POPULAR CONCERTS. The first of the Wellington Professional Orchestras Popular Concerts is to take place at tho Town Hall this evening.' The ; orchestra has been at great pains to seouro good talent for the varied programme it ■presents (see advertisement); and hopes that the public will do its part by attending in force. Popular prices aro being charged. _ ■' SKATING RINK. Rinking 'on tho'rollers, one of the most popular and exhilarating of winter pastimes, was-..in', full -swing at the'. Olympia Rink last evening. , The first heat of a hoop race formed ono: of the oxtra attractions last evening, and devotees of the rink are now looking forward to tho skating carnival, to be held about Juno 23. ;'1 ' ,- WONDERLAND. Wonderland is being specially opened tomorrow, when its unique attractions will be offered to tho-children for sixpence. Special trains both ways are to be run, and hot-water for pioknkW-- ~ju to supplied £«« . ?■