“THE GONDOLIERS.”

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 16 September 1926, Page 9

“THE GONDOLIERS.”

J. C. WILLIAMSON COMPANY,

A DELIGHTFUL PERFORMANCE.

Perhaps the best known of that series of wonderful comic operas in which the clever and apt libretto of the witty Gilbert is so well matched by the melodious music of Sullivan, as ‘ The Gondoliers.” It is one of the operas showing that remarkable collaboration which has charmed countless thousands in years gone by and will delight many more so long as audiences have the privilege of hearing them. Last night’s performance was throughout, from .the rise of (the curtain to its fall, a sheer delight. There may have been greater exponents , of some of: the fascinating and interesting characters presented, but the present company, the same as cast for the city performances, comprises a well-balanced, clever combination of artists each of whom does the part allotted with care and excellent effect, while the chorus is strong and exceedingly well-balanced, t-„nd sang with excellent expression. There was a remarkably good and efficient orchestra under M. Slapoffski, and save for an occasional uncertainty in tempo, he had them all well under control. The result was a fine performance which \va s most heartily appi eeiated and enthusiastically received. There were quite a number of encores, and one sblo, the famous “Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes,” was recalled twice. As Casilda,' the duchess’ daughter. Miss Strella Wilson acted with rare charm and fascination, while her singing was really excellent. She has a clear, well-trained voice, with a fine range, and she sang the fine solos allotted to the character with verve and appropriate expression. Hers was an altogether convincing interpretation. Miss Williamson, as the Duchess, actpci and sang with becoming’ dignity, and her clever rebukes of the Duke were most amusing. Misses Russell and Gibson, as Tessa and Ifiametta, were very good, acting and singing effectively. As the Duke of Plaza-Toro, Mr Charles Walenn, had a right conception of the grandeur and rank of the Spanish grandee. He made every point and his humour, when he relaxed from the pomposity with which the characters naturally invested, was telling and irresistibly funny. His patter songs were excel!ent.-

Mr James Hay, the leading tenor, in the part of Marco, one of the two gondoliers, gave a good interpretation of the character. He sang with delightful taste and expression and acted with a realisation of the uncommon experience, which he shared with Guiseppe, of being in doubt as to whether or not he was to bo king. Throughout his singing was capital, and' the audience marked their appreciation in the popular solo, “Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes. ”

Mr Lance Fairfax, as Guiseppe, acted well in conjunction svith Marco, and his fine bass voice was most effective in song, duet and concerted work. Mr Sydney Granville made a wonderful Grand Inquisitor. His excellent stage presence, his assumption of the dignity his office, and liis fine voice were markedly .good features in a clever presentation. His little touches of humour and of frivolity were clever.

All fhe other parts wore well filled, chorus and orchestra were excellent, and some of the gems of the whole work were those fascinatingly beautiful parts for voices only of which Sullivan was so fond. They were splendidly interpreted. The dressing and staging and the effects wore most effective and a credit to the stage management and the scenic artists. The whole performance was a real joy to the audience which packed the Opera I-I9IISO and made one regret very much another performance could not be given..