“FAUST”

Grey River Argus, 13 June 1933, Page 3

“FAUST”

PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY’S SPLENDID PRESENTATION. Bast (‘xi'iiiiig a large an i appreeia five aiidifiivc assembled at the Town Hal| for the (treymouth Philharmonic Soriot y’s pi esent at ion of the grand opera ‘‘ I'aiist ’’ ((iounod). This the lir.si time that a musical sm-irgv on the V «‘>l Coa>t has attempted the wellknown tuneful opera. Judging by the creditable }<•: I'irnia n’ce given, the Society is to bp heartily congratulated on the success of its enterprise. Tin lion’s share of the i»raise goes to tin' conductor. Mr !•’. Rest ieaux. who has Pni’ii promiiii nt. in Greymouth iniisic.ul circles and made his hist pub’ic appearance last evening He is leaving shortly for the North Island en route to Australia, where he wi’l in future ‘‘T'anst’’ was a splendid an(L appropriate (dimax to Mr Restieaux’s musical successes on the West Coast and Ihi< public of Crcyniouth are nndoubted’y grateful for being given the ’>p-| portnnity oi healing such a splendid' eflort of solo and choral work as was jiroilticed last evening. Its great success with '*rausl” places t|i<. (treymouth Philharmonic .Society in the pri- i niier position in Greymuuth musical; Miss Ada Lynn, of Hokitika, in tin* difficult part of ‘‘Margarita’’ showed she was eminently suited Io dramatic robs and is a .soprano of exceptional purity of (one Her interpretation of the- luckless “Marg'' was a triumph, eclipsing all her previous operatic redes. Now that Miss Lynn has shown the public she can <l<», she should have no dillicnlty in seci.r jug other leading opeb'atic .roles in th ( - |>ig centres of New Zealand. The tenor role of ‘‘Paus!’’ was shared I'v Mr P. Smith and Mr J. Hndluml. I n acts I and - ‘ ‘ Faust

was sung by Mr F. Smith, whose performance was thoroughly appreciated Air J Hadland sang in acts 3. 4 and 5. This is a role with plenty of scope for i' di\idnalit v and both singers did full justice to th-- part. Both Mi Smith and Mr Hadlunl are wl'-known and popular singers in Crevijiouth. 'The bass role, that of the inimitable “ M c|dii.-t ophles ' ‘ was taken by Mr Reg. Smith, of Dobson. 'There was um|’l” »-o]h. for the- sieger’s dramatic ability Mr Smith was well suited to hi< part and his success in this ditlicult and fascinating role was instantly M r A Aims, as ‘ ‘ Valentine’’ imide good use of his voice .'Hid was warmly applauded for his solos. 'l'll-- part of ‘‘Wagner’" was sung by Messrs N. F.ayley and C. Durning. both young singers, who acquitted ‘hemseives well. Miss Nita Hopkins. aS ‘'Martha’’ ga\'e a convincing performance. her work-in the solo “Sraiiits Above and: Angels’ - being particularly goodMis <*. Moss ami Mrs (’. Roach shared the part of “Giebel.’’ Both are well-knowb artists in G re-ymout h, and each received milch merited applause. Mrs Moss took Hie fatuous Flower Song. “Gentle Flowers in the Dew.’’ a captivating melody to which she did full justie". Mrs Roach was heard in the romance “When All Was Young.’’ a well-known song which she gave a splendid interpretation. The choir, numbering forty members, was well balanced ami sang its ensrmbles ine'uding an especially good rendering of the- Avaltz. ‘‘Light as Air.” with good precision and attack. 'The choral efP'-t was good all through. 'The orchestra, led by Air C. Leech, gave a professional rendering. their work leaving nothing to bp desired. Mrs L. Kehoe. L.A.B . the official ac compa n ist(> deserves special mention for th<- >pleiid'nl work and tireless energy >he has given tn her depart mi nt during rehearsals and last evening.