GRAND OPERA SEASON

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 28, 27 October 1932, Page 11

GRAND OPERA SEASON

“Madame Butterfly,” in which the J. C. Williamson-Imperial Grand Opera Company tis to make its first appearance at Wellington on Saturday night, was first produced in Milan in 1904, when it proved an immediate success, and it has since maintained a foremost place in the hearts of playgoers all over the world. “Four big moments.” wrote an Auckland critics, “stand out from the crowding recollections of last evening’s wonderful performance of ‘Madame Butterfly.’ First was the perfect choral singing of the Japanese girls off stage before the entry of Cho-Cho-San. Above the. gentle voices were heard the clear limpid notes of Cesarina Valobra, startling even 'then in their clarity, until, as she herself appeared and took the high D flat, the audience broke forth in. thunderous applause. Next Was the love duet, in the garden, surely the most thrilling duet we have heard, for years. Here the scenic artist lent a helping hand, the entire stage blinking with myriads of glow-worm lights among the wisteria, roses and cherry blossoms. There followed the indescribably beautiful ending to the first part of Aet 11, with Cho-Cho-San and Suzuki watching at the window while the light fades and hushed voices murmur ever so sweetly in the distance. The scene was a masterpiece of stage management, in which the singers and the orchestral director. Signor Rossi, lent sympathetic aid. And finally, there was a poignant death scene in which Valobra gave the most impassioned piece of acting of the evening. The outstanding musical gem was Signorina Valobra's snirited singing of the famous aria, ‘One Fine Day,’ and she thoroughly deserved the cheers with which she was greeted at the close of this popular number.” On Monday night “Rigoletto” will be performed, and on Tuesday “Carmen.”