"MARITANA"

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3107, 11 June 1917, Page 3

"MARITANA"

BY THE WELLINGTON CHORAL

UNION

AN ENJOYABLE PERFORMANCE

"Marihiim," a grand oncra in three acts, by Vincent Wallace. Oast:— iraritana, .'•• Mfcs Helon Goj-d'ner Lazarillo Misa. Mina Oalaow Don Cesar do Bazan Mr. Ernest Drake Don Jose Mr. Hamilton Hodgea It was after the late distinguishod W. Vincent Wallace had roamed round a. little-known world, a drift that lasted from 1835 to 1845, that ho found himself in London onco more, anxious to demonstrate the talent that had stood Mm in good stead in other parts of the world. There ho met his old friend, Heyward St. Loger who suggested that he should comjose an opera, and actually introduced him to Fitzball, the pool, who handed him tne book of "Maritana," baeed on tiio old Spanish story of "Don Caesar do Bazan." The opera, which was nrst produced at Drury Lano on November ia. 18«, proved an instantaneous success, ana. has been played off and on throughout the English-speaking world ever since,, its transcendently beautiful melodies, v,nicn have never been cxoeUed in any otner English opera, exerting a spell which has defied tho rust and dust of nearly threequarters of a century. It is a long time since the opera was performed here professionolly. The last occasion was an indifferent performance of the work by the Pollard Opera Company, but m th4 .minde of older playgoers it will be fondly remembered as the favourite vehicle of euch talented prima donnas as Hiss Alice May, Miss Elsa May, and Miss Annis Montague (whore husband, Mr. Charles Tunwr, was the finest Don Cesar ver heard in Wellington). It was with eag.sr espeotency of a renewal of the memoraoa of long ago that a throng which packed every corner of the big Town Hall surged into *Je building on Saturday evening to hear the opera, sung in concert form by the Wellington Choral TJnionj Whilst this method of performing an opera is but a maKcshift for the real thing, it has certain advantages in that it is possible to havo a chorus at least three times as numerous <w could be well arranged on the stage, bo that the missing glamour attachable to a stage production of the work is in part compensated for by an added effectiveness in vocal ste«ength.. The performance, which is not the first given 6y tiio union, was a. thoroughly enjoyable one, if it was slightly uneven. Tho good points were, first and foremost, a notably good cast of principals, who In parts.were responsible for artistio singing and mternretation of a standard Tarely reached by, local talont. Tho chorus, too, though not well balanced owing to war-time weakness in tho tenor and bass sections, "wan thoroughly 6eized with tho spirit of the opera, and sane with good expression throughout. Tho outstanding weakness was. us usual, the orchestra, which scratched through in the same hapnoaa-rd and insecure mannor so typical of liaßtuyassembled orchestras from .a restricted field of talent. It was iuet as well that Mr. Temple White was given a place at tho organ, for he proved to bo a" tower of. strength in holding the bamn , together in many a Ehaky passage. Mr. White also played the harp part on the piano in a couplo of numbers with good effect. Bnt tho merits of the iprincipols and chorus overshadowed tho orchestra's deficiencies, and rescued the performance from mediocrity. The union is to be thanked for introducing to Wellintrton po able and sweettonod a tenor as Mr. Ernest Drake, of Auokland, who, as Don Cesar, made an impression that will not be readily Tαniovnn, for he comes aftf a loner list of indifferent performers. Mr. Brake possesses a resonant lyrij tenor, emakamy well controlled, evenly registered, and alluringly sweet in tone. He made a pleasin? impression from the outset, and lie gave new life and meaning to 'Tiet Me Like a Soldier Fell." Indeed, there were many eyes moistened hy the d»licato ana tender treatment ho gave the lines— "Tho' o'er my claj no banner wave, No trumpet requiem jail." In this solo, as well as in "Thcro is a Flowor That liloometh, ,, Mr. Dralto displayed a charming mezza voce, always used with artistio discretion. A better Imzarillo could not be procured than Miss Mina Oaldow, whose beautiful contralto voice was heard to perfection in "Alas, Those Chimes," and again in the duet, ''Sainted Mother." Miss Caldow is always confident in her work, and the feeling «no displays shows tho artist within her. Miss Helen Gard'ner, of Dunedin, made a good impression hero when eho eans "Maritana" in Wellington three years ago, and on Saturday evening tho charm of her conception again captuied all hearts. Thoro wero times when she scorned on tender ground, evidently caused by the orchestral drag, bnt sho sang "The Harp in the Air" aud "Scenes That are Brightest" with much youthful freshness and purity of tone. There wero also glimpses of character in her solos in the ensemblo passage beginning with the chorus "Pretty Gitana." Mr. Hamilton Hodges has been heard to better advantage than om Saturday evening. His tone seemed to indicate the presence of a. cold, whilst the pronounced cantabilo character of Wallace's music hardly lent itself to tho singer's vehement methods. Mr. Hodges w-as -warmly encored'for his singing of "In Hap-ny Moments," and sang "Tho Mariner in His Barque" with spirit. Mr. Charles Moore sang tho musio of the Captain lustily, but mn.rtc the mistake of turijin? fonaro on to Lazarlllo and Don Cesar instead of eingins out to the audience.. Tho opera includes two famous duets and a trio, viz., "I am the Kin? of Spain." Saluted Mother." and "Turn on, Old Time." all of which wero well sung, none, however, hotter than the duet between Maritana and liiirArlllo. The chorus singing was admirable, if tho male fibre was lacking, and "The Angelus." "Sing, Pretty Moiden." ond "Oh, Wliat Pleasure," were delightfully sung. Mr. Robert Parlcr conducted with his usual ability, Mr. Herbert Bloy led the orchestra, and Mr. Temple White presided at tho small organ and piano. Purine? the evening Mr. R. A. Fright. M-.P.. Tvresident of tho union, announced that the performance was such t!>nf. he was snro that all would be sratifi«d to lenrn that it wn= the intention of I.ho union to rw»t "Maritaua" on ffl-turday evening next, in nid of tV Bed Pro'o fii*'pt.v n-nd the Y.M.C.A. Tronoh Comforts Fund, for which occasion the principals p.n'l mc-mliprs of the orchestra had treneroußly ofTpred their service free. (Applause.l