OPERA SEASON

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 120, 14 February 1941, Page 9

OPERA SEASON

Another Large Audience For “The Gondoliers” That the public of AA'cllington has been hungering for the return of comic opera was proved by the crowded audience which attended the second performance of “The Gondoliers” by the J. C. AVilliamson Gilbert and Sullivan company in the Opera House. last night. The whimsical story o_£ the search for the ruler of the mythical state of Barataria, in its A’enetian setting, was admirably told last evening. All the principals were at the top of their form. Air. Ivan Alenzies was the soul of the performance as the gay but impecunious Duke of Plaza Toro, and Aliss Ev'elyn Gardiner’s full contralto voice was heard to advantage; she was (lie Duchess. Alessrs. Gregory Stroud and Vincent McAlurray were happily cast, as the gondoliers, and the latter scored a distinct success in the popular number, "Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes.” The other principals were all in happy vein, and the whole opera., which is brilliantly staged and costumed, aroused the utmost enthusiasm, numerous curtain calls having to be responded to at the close of the performance. The delightful music of a first-class orchestra under the baton of Air. Leo Packer, was a feature of the opera. "The Gondoliers” will be repeated nightly till Monday, with a matinee performance at 2 o’clock on Saturday afternoon. On Tuesday and AA T ednesday nights and on AVednesday afternoon the company will present “The Pirates of Penzance,” which will be preceded at each performance by “Trial by Jury.” On Thursday next and the three following nights and Saturday afternoon ‘‘The Yeomen of the Guard” will be staged, and on Tuesday, February 25, and two following evenings and AVednesday afternoon. Febrnary 26, “lolanthe” will Ibe received. On Friday, February 28, and two following nights and Saturday afternoon. Alarch 1, “The Alikado” will be presented, and ou Tuesday, Alarch 4, and two following evenings and AATednesday afternoon, Alarch 5, “H.M.S. Pinafore” will be presented.