ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 72, 18 December 1919, Page 14

ENTERTAINMENTS

GRAND OPERA SEASON. Though the place of Gounod's "Faust" in the domain of rail opera may he the subject of differences among musicians, there is no doubt of the place it holds in tli? popular estimation, -and the big••' booking for the production of this v-xrk at the Grand Opera House next Monday evening is evidence enough of the hold it has in the hearts of music-lovers of this city. Though based on Goethe's splendid poem, the story does not follow the text, but. rather is' built up on the incident of Faust and Marguerite. One could hardly conceive a more powerful subject for musical treatment than this. It is not easy to name any work whiiih. possesses ;i creator number of "gems'' than Gounod's chief composition. There is scarcely a passage in the hip score that could be omitted without its loss being regretted, and any singer vlio failed to find scope for dramatic expression in "Faust" should abandon the operatic career. The entire company will appear during the Wellington season, complete in every detail with an augmented grand opera orchestra and chorus of GO. Associated with the organisation is Miss Amy Castles, who has won-a notable placo for herself on the operatic and concert stage abroad. In "Faust" the will qipenr as Marguerite. There will be another notable artist in the cast, who will n.ako his first appearance here—Walter Wheatley, from the Century Theatre, New York, who will enact the role of Faust. Alfredo Valenti, a well-known basso from America, will be Mephistopheles. Others who will appear include Fraiik 'Tiarlton (baritone), Tom Minogue (baritone), Vera Bedford (contralto), • and, Thelma Carter (contralto). • Tuesday night will witness tho first presentation in New Zcalind of Offenbach's melodious work, "Tales of Hoffman"; Wednesday, "La Boheme.'' Christmas Night (.Thursday) will he the occasion of a grand classical concert, in which tho entire company will lake part.' Ou Friday, "II Trovatoro" will he played. ."Madame Butterfly" will be the opera for Saturday night. The Prices for tho season aso on a "popular" scale. Box plans for the first week are jio\r open at the Bristol. - . "THE MESSIAH." Under the conductM'sliip of Mr. 11. Temple White, the Choral Union will produce Handel's masterpiece, '"Ilio Messiah," at the Totni Hall on Saturday evening. For tho first tune for many years this will he performed with a full, orchestra. The i.ast of soloists engaged is an exceptionally strong one. Vfery heavy booking is reported at the Bristol, > and everything points to a most successful performance. The principals arc:— iMiss . Teresa ' M'Enroe, soprano; Miss Mabelle L. Esnuilaut, contralto; Mr. Waller Whyte, tenor; and Mr. Frank 0. Cliarl.es, bass. tSpeiial concessions are offered to schools and colleges, and particulars can be obtained at the box office or from tho acting-s?cretaiy, P.O. Box G7l. "HINEMOA." Very excellent booking has been recorded for the performance of Mr. Alfred nill's Maori cantata "Hinemoa," to be given at the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall to-night. The music-loving public should enjoy the beauties of this unique composition, and it must bq very encouraging to the members of Mrs. Ernest Otierce's studio who have had this work'in rehearsal for «onio time, under hpr guidance, anion? whom aro such notable rinsers as iMiss ' May Chatwin, Blanche flodier, Frances Barry, Elsie Earner. Ivv Sutherland. Miss Austin Blaekie, E. .T. Hill. Bup.ort Meats, and Will. Goudie. A short 'concert programme will precede the cantata. Advice received bv Mr. A. E. Cohen, of the I>»nodin "Star," states that his son, Mr. Harrv Cohen, enticipates leaving ' Vancouver bv the Niagara at the end of .Taunarv for.'.Australia, with a snocinllr ; selected company to produce Scandal and oth»r En-rUsh and American sue cesses. "Scandal" was still doing capacity business in New York when the last mail left Mrs. Co l " 1 " (J l " l ''* T -" m °) was of " fered, but declined, the leading part in a new musical comedy, called "Angel Face.