"MERRIE ENGLAND" THIS EVENING

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 34, 8 August 1925, Page 9

"MERRIE ENGLAND" THIS EVENING

The story of "Merrie England," Edward German's light opera, which is to be produced at the Town Hall this evening, has a strong basis of authentic record. The chief characters actually existed, and their relations were much as the opera represents them. The central incident is a love affair between Sir Walter Raleigh and Bessie Throchmorton, one of Queen Elizabeth's ladies-in-wait-ing ; and these two were in fact ultimately married; indeed, the marriage was among the causes of the disgrace which finally took Raleigh to the scaffold. The Queen's position in the affair is also in line with her character, par-' ticularly the jealousy which threatens the other figures with tragedy. The story is worltad by the composer into a most attractive musioal fabric, full of charming solos, duets, choruses, and •*ther numbers. The performance of the , opera is being given by the Terrace Con- ! gregational Choir, and the proceeds will I be'handed over to the Karitano Hospital ■ ; Fund. so. that those who attend will, in addition to spending a pleasant musical evening, add to the progress of a very worthy cause. The choir is under the conductorship of Mr. Len Barnes, who»,has brought to bear upon the preparations the .results of his wide experi-, j enco in operatic work. The soloists are j Mrs. Alice Harris, soprano, as Bessie Throckfnorton ; Miss Lily Mackie, contralto, .as Queen Elizabeth, and Jill-all-Alone; Mr. Arthur Coe, tenor, as Sir Walter Raleigh ; and Mr. K. A. Bradshaw, baritone, as the Earl of Essex. Instrumental accompaniments and incidental music will be provided by Miss Gwen Wing and Mr. Alec Mill, at two piflnc*.