MR MUSGROVE'S OPERA COMPANY.

Evening Star, Issue 11668, 1 October 1901, Page 6

MR MUSGROVE'S OPERA COMPANY.

The one thing wanting to make the first performance of ‘Tannhanser’ symmetrical and altogether satisfactory was supplied on the occasion of the repetition of the opera last nicht. We refer to the chorus singing, which, painfully and indeed sinfully inadequate on the premier night, was yesterday evening one of the features of the performance. Sincere thanks are due to Herr Slapoffski and the ladies and gentlemen who constitute the rank and file of the company for polishing out a dark spot and making the second presentation of ‘ Tanhhariser ’ complete. The improvement, was of material service, helping to raise tho performance to a very high level of merit; indeed we are of opinion that it was the greatest success of the season. The pilgrims’ choruses were all well sung, and the great march chorus in the second act proved to be fairly satisfactory as to volume and altogether pleasing in other respects, for all the party were singing, so there was no undue prominence to individual voices, and, moreover, the pitch was well sustained—this being noticeable in each of the choruses, though in several scenes the singers are in the wings. The principals, likewise, were at their best. Herr Berthald did marvellously well. Though almost continuously on t.lie stage, and engaged in a part that. mast, bo singularly difficult to sing, since the music allotted to tho tenor is high up in the clave, and requires incessant care in its restless moving from key to key, and seldom contains an easy passage to give the voice relief, Herr Berthald sang right through in capital form, never losing tone or power, and all present felt much indebted to him. The fortnight’s acquaintance with Herr Berthald has led regular opera-goers to a high appreciation of his merits. His characteristic is consistency. If he seldom brings down, the bouse with a brilliant effort, it is also tree that he rarely sinks lo mediocrity, and never suffers from the lapses that afflict the spasmodic and rockcty tenor. Last night this valuable, quality of reliability was very much in evidence, and, since tho audience had few opportunities of breaking in with tho applause that is their mfithod of returning thanks, wo take the liberty of acting as their mouthpiece and Idling our friend that Dunedin is much obliged to and will never forget him. To Miss Crichton, also, more credit is due than was awarded on the first night of ‘Tannhanser.’ The part of Venus is a difficult one from a musical point of view, but Miss Crichton’s voice pierced a way for the part to its proper place and kept the balance as regards ensemble in passages that would have been disfigured if a. less capable lady had the Venus music. A sense of fairness impels us to acknowledge, too. the excellence of Mr Pringle’s singing as the landgrave and the nice taste displayed by Miss Boanas in her rendering of the shepherd’s song. As for the changes in the cast, Mr Max Eugene confirmed previous impressions as to his ability by his creditable singing and acting in the part of Wolfram, and Miss Lilian Coombor was vocally and otherwise a charming Elisabeth, her opening solo in the hall of song and her prayer to the Virgin being noteworthy examples of cultured vocalisation, and all tho other scenes in which she appeared being helped materially by her close study of the part. In rogartl to the orchestra nothing remains to bo added. Their playing is simply beautiful, and one may listen in vain for a weakness in any section of this great combination which Herr Slapoffski directs with so much judgment, ‘II Trovatore,’ to bo repeated this evening. brings tn Madame Slapoffski as Lconoia.