“IL TROVATORE”

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 221, 15 June 1934, Page 6

“IL TROVATORE”

Splendid Performance By Choral Union MR. STANLEY OLIVER AS CONDUCTOR “Il Trovutore,” a grand opera by Verdi. Cast: — Tonnnrq Zell O'Kane AzSS•*• Christina Young Munrlco Hubert Carter Count DI Luna .... Russell J. Laurenson Ferrando Harlson Coo . Verdi’s popular and melodious opera “11 Trovatore,” now over eighty years old, can scarcely be Classified aS a musical novelty. Having been heard On stage atid platform times without number in Wellington doubtless, many loyal supporters of the Royal Wellington Choral Union experienced mixed feelings as the. journeyed to the Town Hall last evening as to the measure of enjoyment they were likely to absorb from this opera. Most of them left for home tn a pleaslug glow of satisfaction, for “H Trovatore.” as presented last evening, was one of the finest operatic performances given in the history of the union, and was really a triumphal opening of the season. Conductor’s Mastery. There were several reasons to support that, contention. The first and most important was the advent in Wellington's guest conductor of Mr. Stanley Oliver, late of Montreal. Although Mr. Oliver is more particularly a choral conductor, he demonstrated in a dozen ways a-complete mastery of the score, am] au ability to impose his innate artistry on soloists, orchestra, and chorus in a manner which at once established him in the esteem of the discerning, and earned for him .and his forces an ovation of the like seldom heard in Wellington. Mr. Oliver does not simply wave a baton metronomically. He conducts vitally from the crown of his head to his expressive legs, knows exactly what he' wants, and apparently succeeds in getting it. He is magnetic in personality, has a clehr peat impossible to misread, signals every entrant, and possesses the blessed virtue of interpretive insight, backed by a poetic imagination which never ran riot. •

Mr. Oliver was an inspiration to the orchestra. Such delicacy in pianissimo passages was almost a revelation, aud throughout the somewhat tricky accompaniments were most admirably played. The union’s stalwart chorus also responded tothe new influence in a way' that was most pleasing. Tn short, this.gifted guest conductor galvanised the old opera into new life. An Able Cast. In this achievement Mr. Oliver was soundly assisted by a very able cast, m which, far from there being any weakness, each one contributed substantially to a performance of which the union had every right to 'be proud. ■ A new soprano lead of youthful charm and high ability was revealed in.’Miss’ Zell O'Kano, of Wellington, who sang the music of Leonora with a fluency and grace that promises well for the future.. The freshness and flexibility of her pure soprano voice, and her understanding ap; proaeh to each of her numbers, were pleasing features of a delightful performance. Miss O’Khne siirtg the opening cavatina, “The Night Wits Calm,” with naive charm altogether delightful: she was satisfactory in the “Miserere” duet, and her security in the many concerted numbers displayed the musician as well as the singer. . Mr. Hubert Carter never sang better in Wellington than he did last, evening. Despite his characteristic peculiarities in production, his Manrico was a very fine performance. He was robust and vivid in the long seena (Act 1), with Azucena. and his pianissimo treatment of the tender passages was most expressive i'n the appealing solicitude suggested. His share in the “Miserere” duet was another artistic feature, and the fiery spirit engendered in the final duet with Miss O’Kane was quite thrilling. In Mr. J. RUssell Laurenson the union has becu fortunate in discover' iug' the finest baritone heard in such performances for years. Mr. Luureiison, who sang the important role of Count di Luna, has a richly resopaiit and powerful baritone ..voice .of the best quality. His work wds marked by perfect security, splendidly dominant in recitative and the several concerted numbers, while his solo, ”11 Baleil.” ( was capitally sung. ’< Another performance of notable excel-, iciice was the Azuceua of Miss Christina Young, whose strong mezzo voice aud ripe intelligence gave splendid reality to the role ot the vengeance-haunted gipsy' queen. She sang the “Stridu la Yampa’ aria well, and in the concerted numbers was a tower of strength. As Ferrando (bass) Mr. Harison Cook was in his element, seldom glancing at the score, aud singing the music with splendid unction. The chorus has uof very much to do in this opera, but it sang the “Anvil Chorus” and the “Soldiers’ Chorus” with admirable,.spirit, The chorus of nuns was also very sweetly snug. ■ The work of the orchestra was unusually effective throughout—iib immense advance on their average performance in such works.