ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2954, 14 December 1916, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

GONSALEZ OPERA CO,

Tiie Gonsalez Grand Opera Company presented Donizetti's famous opera "Lucia, di Lamniormoor," for tho second time in tue Grand Opera House last evening. Sir Walter Scott's tragic 6tory of tho Bride of Laininormoor lives again in Donizetti's famous setting, and tko opera has long been recognised as ranking with the classics of the operatic stage. It is not merely full of beautiful melody, both vocal and. instrumental, but it provides very wide opportunities for the display of vocal technique. The principals are required to possess abilities of a very 6peoial kind if they are to rise to the traditions - associated with the work. The performance of tho Gonsalez Opera Company was once again thoroughly pleasing. Signorina Gonzales, as Lucia, was brilliantly 6uccossful, her clear soprano voice proving equal to ■ every demand made upon it. Her rendering of the aria in the/'Mad Senile" was n. "real triumph. Signor Capelli had the part of Edgar, and his splendid tenor was heard with thrilling effect in the tragio numbers that belong to the part. The demands made upon the chorus in this opera hro not large. The celebrated sextet, "Chi mi Frina," which is sans by the principals with the support of the chorus in the development of the climax, was one of the most successful numbers of the evening, and the audience expressed its keen delight in unmistakable fashion. This' evening, commencing at 7.30, tho company will play ''Faust," an opera that has been awaited with keen interest by many people Since <m °P?, niD S of tne Wellington season. Fausr will be played a second time on Saturday evening. The opera (ot to-morrow evening will be "Rigoletto." It u announced that there will be a matinee performance of "H Trovatore" on Saturday. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The Bert La Blanc's Travesty Stars occupy half of the programmo at His Majesty s Theatre this week. Gaily dressed people, they manage with amusing dialogue and tuneful, as well as funny, songs, to make an excellent hour's entertainment. "The Alerts" put on a very sensational item. The male member of the combination is a remarkaßle juggler, inasmuch as he can manage a number of /very sharp broadswords, battleaxes, and bayonets in the air, and occasionally allowing' one to fall it sticks quivering in the floor, giving a guarantee of its genuineness. Mr. Donald Cornwallis, the English elocutionist, is again on the programme. "Man the Fleet is amongst his new pieces. Others are M. Dubois, a juggler and balancer, the Freda Boys, tumbling violinists, and Miss E. Cowley, a contralto. KING'S THEATRE. A better glimpse of the old-time pirate days could hardly be obtained than is shown in the Triangle Fine Arts drama, "Daphne and the Pirate," at present attracting good attendances at the King's Theatre. The 6tory, as depicted throughout this picture, is an excellent one, and some extraordinarily realistc scenes are defty woven into tho romance, particularly tho scenes of the pirate sea fight at night. As the heroine, Lillian Gish takes a fine part and enhances her already big reputation. She is considerably helped ■by a fine cast, who thoroughly understand their work. The supports are all good, and include "The Cost of High Living" (comedy), "Young Bird Life," and the Pathe Gazette. "THE PERILS OF DIVORCE" AT EVERYBODY'S. The last two nights aro announced of the excellent programme now being screened at. Everybody's.. The star feature is a World Film production, "Tho Perils of Divorce." John Graham, a man of the world, but of a quiet disposition, is married to a young girl of- twenty. They have one child, on whom they lavish a wealth of affection. An adventuress, Alice Lorraino, poisons the happiness of the wedded pair. Graham falls a victim to her _ promptings, consequently, the home is broken up, leaving nothing but tho ashes of dead hopes on the Separation and misery blight ;the lives of Graham and-his-wile before the man realises that the latter has been faithful. The play is a powerful one, and is well staged and acted. At the change on. Saturday W. S. Hart will make a welcomo appearance in the latest Triangle success, ."The Captive God," a human and compelling story founded on an old Aztec religious custom. "HYPOCRITES" AT THE EMPRESS. The ever-increasing attendances, both day and night, aro' taxing tho seating capacity' of the .Empress Theatre to its utmost. "Hypocrites" is certainly the most daring film ever kinematographed, j showing as it does tho wonderful status of "Truth," 60 well known to all artists, brought .to life and led around by a holy father to reflect in her mirror tho hypocrisy of modern society. Tho organ music incidental to tho star picture is a featuro of tho programme. This picture will be withdrawn after Friday night, so that those who intend to see it will have to make their arrangements quickly. A well-balanced programme of supports is also shown in addition. QUEEN'S THEATRE. The lottery of matrimony is still being amply- demonstrated at the new Queen's Theatre, in Cuba ■ Street, where Blanche Sweet is indulging in the luxury of a "Thousand Dollar Husband." The big story is not a comedy, but a judicious mixture of humour and pathos that lend to it a considerable appeal. The embodied love story is particularly pretty, and the whole programme is rich in attractive pictures. The proof of the pudding is proverbially in the eating, and the pudding served at the Queen's has already been responsible for many "returns." With comfortable appointments and delightful music, the theatro_ has already made quite a name for itself among confirmed picturegoers, who should be the best judges. Mary Pickford is promised for Saturday. EUGENE OSSIPOFF. Eugene Ossipoff, baritone, is to make' his re-appearance in Wellington on Thursday next at tho Town Hall, and it will come as a welcome note to all who had the pleasure of hearing his Tendering of tho Toreador's song from "Carmen" on the occasion of his previous visit here. He differs radically 1 from tho traditional readings of this work to which wo have become so accustomed. Associated with Mr. Ossipoff are several other talented artists, including Miss Etlmeo Clegg, mezzo-soprano, who comes with a big reputation from the other side. Miss Bessie Rogers has beeu associated with Mr. Laurence Campbell, of "Sentimental : Bloke" fame, and she has proved herself an acquisition to the two principals, and, along with Miss Sylvia Roberts, pianist, a rare treat should be in store, for lovers of the very best music.