GOUND'S "FAUST."

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1310, 13 December 1911, Page 8

GOUND'S "FAUST."

. . ► WELLINGTON MUSICAL UNION. Though fifty-two years have rolled by since Gounod immortalised himself by writing tho opera "Faust," the work is as green and fresh, as transeendantly melodious, and humanly appealing as on tho night of its premiere in the Theatre Lyriquo, Paris. Age cannot wither .nor custom stale its infinite charm, and it is perfectly safe to say that it was long ago enlisted among the "impcrishables" in music, just, as Goethe's poem on which it is based, will always find a place in classic literature, lii its operatic form it is one of the few perfect works born in tho mid-Victorian era. The music, which streams with delicious melodies, accords faithfully with, the theme, and the action of the opera in relation to both is as near perfection as has been attained by writers of tho higher form of opera. It is only in tho last decado that it has been discovered how adaptive if is to concert form, and this discovery, has assisted to familiarise the opera in places but rarely visited by grand opera organisations. The Wellington Musical Union, which performed "Faust" in tho Town Hall last evening to a brimming audience, has shown enterprise in selecting the work, and it also gave what was on the wholea remarkably good performance. The success which attended the effort was largely due to a wise selection of ablo principals. First and before all, the Union was fortunate in being able to secure Mr. Philip Newbury to sing tho exacting part of "Faust." His performance last evening was one of those raro delights which only occur once in a ■I'l™., ' rhanks to perfect familiarity with the work, Mr. Newburv was in a position to give full rein to the interpretive side of the character, and tho result n ' as °ne of the finest vocal expositions of the part ever heard in Wellington. Ho was inclined, to bo super-robust in the opening scene, but, in his interchanges with Mephistopheles, he displayed powers of declamation, and meaningful recitativo that were admirable. His vocal excellence found full scope in the ana, "All Hail, Thou Dwelling Pure ?.??• f jowl y." and in that beautiful solo High Born and Lovely Maid," but the gem of numbers in which the tenor was concerned was the duet with Miss Lyons (Margarita), in the garden scene.- In this number there was a fine tonal sympathy between the voices, and both artists rose to great heights in portraying the very spirit of the'scene. Miss Lvous surprised her wannest admirers. 'Her light sunny voice is well suited to tho music of Margarita, and, being in form, she gave a highly meritorious performance throughout—so good, indeed, that minor blemishes detracted very little. Miss Lyons sang "The King of Thulo" (the spinning song)' over-carefully, perhaps, but She was qui to at homo in tho "Jewel Song," and fairly shared the honours with Mr. Newbury in the duet at the end of the garden scene. In that number she embodied all tho sweetness and tenderness 'of the love-lorn German maid, and the vociferous applause which followed was fairly shared by the vocatists. Of Mr..Hamilton Hodge's Mepmsio one cannot speak so highly. This artist has a .superabundance of . temperament, but it is not backed up by corresponding excellence in vocal quality. Whethti it was tho effect of cold or not ono could not say, but his voice, last evening was frayed and husky,, and there were several occasions when he shouted tho music, as the result of which he became quite hoarse towards the end of his arduous effort. Still his amazing temperament and experience'stood him in good stead in "The Calf of Gold," and, to some' extent, in tho Serenade, which earned applause. Mr.' Hugh' Wright, though a trifle. overweighted in vocal range as "Valentine," did very well indeed in'his chief solo, "Even Bravest Heart," and hi? musical baritone was heard to advantage in the concerted numbers. He was not sufficiently dramatic in the duel scene, but sang the dying scene with real feeling. The "Siebel" was Mrs. F. P. Wil■son, whose confidence and musicianship wore alike admirable. Her rendering of the Flower Song was a praiseworthy effort, and tho romance, "When All 'Was Young,".,was. very,,.nicely sung indeed. Wagner's mu'sic was "quite with Mr. F. Laycpck.

On tho whole the chorus—weak in the male sections—did very well. The bright, rhythmic music oftho Kermcsse, with its haunting waltz melody, was sung with delicacy and spirit, but weight was lacking in the "Soldiers' Chorus." The finalo chorale was nicely intoned. The orchestra played tho overture very well indeed, but'was distinctly shaky in "several of the accompaniments, owing, perhaps, to its unfamiliarity with some, of the traditional liberties taken by the soloists. The performance was conducted skilfully by Mr. Robert Parker, to whom Wellington owes so much as a whole-souled encourager of choral music.