GRAND OPERA SEASON

Evening Star, Issue 19995, 12 October 1928, Page 5

GRAND OPERA SEASON

I ERNANI' TO-MORROW NIGHT Victor Hugo has been described as a torrent of a man. Ho had a volcanic nature and immense talent with which ho plumbed to the depths the sorrows that afflict humanity. In addition to his great hooks, ho wrote several plays which have been described as operas full of colour and romance. It was natural them 'hat tho transccndr.nt genius of Verdi should discern in Hugo’s work - a fitting foundation for a great opera. Tims ‘ Ernani ’ was produced. The staging of this opera at His Majesty’s Theatre to-morrow evening, when the return season of the Fullor-Gonsaloz Grand Opera Company will open, is being looked forward to with lively anticipation. Verdi was prolific in tho creation of grand operas. Several were written by him before ‘ Ernani ’ was produced, mid though they wore'seen to bo tho works of a man of genius, they did not immediately attract popular favour. When ‘ Ernani ’ was staged in Venice in 18-14, it was an immediate success. Verdi’s supremo talents were acclaimed, and gradually ho took his place at The head of tho vigorous new school which arose in Italy to regain for her srtmc of her ancient pre-emi-nence in music.

‘ Ernani ’ has never been produced in Dunedin, so that to-morrow night’s performance will be an event, as, indeed, will be the whole season, for grand opera does not often come our way. It is, of course, the highest development in stagecraft, and for that reason its demands are so exacting and the difficulties in the way of production arc so great, that few producers are willing to undertake the risks and tho labour associated with it. The enterprise of the Fulior-Gonsalez combination deserves to bo rewarded, and from tho indications at present the coming season should bo even more successful than tho last ono. Not qnly will fascinating musical entertainment bo provided, but the operas from every aspect are educative in the highest degree. There are some exacting roles in ‘ Ernani,’ both in singing and acting, but those taking part in this opera arc fully equipped for their work. _ The intensity of human emotion is expressed in ‘Ernani,’ and it is antici-' pated that the interpretation by the j company will reach a high standard. On Monday the second opera, ‘ The j Barber of Seville,’ by Rossini, which was rendered so successfully on the on-1 casion of the first visit, will be staged. ■ Thereafter the order of the perform- ■ ances will be as follows: — 1 La Favor- ( ita,’ ‘Lohengrin,’ ‘Lucia di Lammer- 1 moor,’ ‘Norma,’ ‘Carmen,’ ‘UI Hallo,’ , and ‘ Fra Diavolo.’