"CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA"

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2477, 2 June 1915, Page 7

"CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA"

I PIBTKO MASCAGNI'S MAGNUM OPUS. Santuzza Miss Elsy Treweek Turiddu Mr. W. E. Saunders YS? la Mrs. Eosewarne Mr. Frank Charlton Mrs. C. G. AJcorn Mascagni never contemplated that his glowing opera "Cavalleria liusticana" would be sung "in cold blood" on tho concert platform. Its entire fabric is passionately dramatic; it pulsates feverishly with human emotions tautened and inflamed with jealousy, conceived as only one possessing the fiery temperament of the Latin could conceive; and it cries so clamantly for action that, without it, some ot the passages appear almost colourless. Still, robbed as we are of witnessing grand opera in its proper setting, there is a modicum of consolation in hearing aueh works in the only possible way. Last evenings performance of "Cavalleria, Eustioana" was the third occasion on which it has been sung by the Eoyal elhngtou Choral Society, and in certain respects it has never been better done, lor at least two of the soloists were iully equal to their responsibility. We Pi"T, lleg ? d to hear th e best Santuzza that Wellington has known in Miss EUy lreweek, oi Melbourne. Graced with all weal platlonn appearance, Miss Treweek without ever overdoing it, suggested with « i a , l ' tlstl 7 and L restraint the spirit ot the betrayed Santuzza, colouring her tree confident vocalism with iust thmtouch of dramatic appeal which helped to fire the imagination sufficiently to interest one in the drama. Her voico is a singularly puro f u u. « M pra j lo ' . umiei ' Perfect contiol. iioth icr voice and temperament are suited to dramatic vocalism especiallyand it was not until she began tho scene between Santuzza and LuSia that her paramount powers wero appreciated ag there was nothiiig devotional in her singing of the prayer number immediately preceding the scene mentioned. * 101,1 that out, however, her perfonnZ? «n as » 1 ® mi u ent ? y and tho duet O, lis the Lord, which concludes the first part ill which the honours were fully Shared by Mr. Frank Charlton as Allio, was worked up to a splendid dramatic climax that earned a merited burst ot app ause. In that part, too, Miss treweek was admirable in the solo coniy?u. Know," in which she tells the story of her lover's perfidy. ii? ' was Perfectly at homo as Alfio, sang the music with confidence, ?«d mfused admirable spirit into his solo Gaily Go My Horses Fleet," and helped to animate the passionate finale of the first part with his dramatic fervour. od f C r or , n> who the restricted music of Lola somewhat perfunctorily, has a pleasant mezzo voice of good ?nr« U r • y <., sug K ested the dreamy iuio that lies 111 the song "O GgiiMa Flower of Gold." On the other hand Airs, liosewarne was quite admirable, dramatically, as Lucia, though vocally sho was suitenng from a slight huskiness. ller brief interchanges with Sautuzza were always fraught with meaning iv nddu , s a part written for a !s?■" E U °Saundws, r who st?that is not brought forward. It was a case of a singer not suited to the music those who know "Cavalleria Enfti' cana" are aware that its chieT bints mid nscae ? l 'f orchestral score, fl. i i " ever to remember tho ,Hpf . J, j P acl f e d with arrcstiug moloI die&, jJid piquant passages, alive with beau tit ill won; for the wood winds. Tho IJ ? o or> ra y e r is beautifully reverI jntial, whilst the "Intermezzo" has a certain sweetness that will alwave n, a v« o„ appeal to the public. On the\v|? ul o,C oichestral work was capably performed. I iiMn ni"?* l" lisl'tor section wero a little unsteady, on occasions, but the lower strings were quite good. Very efficient, too were tiie Hute and clarinet [leads,. Iho chorus was sufficient, tho tenors being weak, as usual. On two occasions there was a marked drag in the attack, notably so in the fiC ena "Now Homeward, but in the prayer Drinking Song and other full ensembles the choral singing was excellent. ( aviillena was conducted with resourcefulness by .Mr. Matighan Barnett, of Wk laud, who was honoured with a hearty reception, and the performance was enjoyed by an audience that almost filled the Town Hall.