OPERA COMIQUE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 26 July 1928, Page 6

OPERA COMIQUE.

“LA MASCOTTE.’

ELTHAMIS GREAT SUCCESS.

A very real and striking istory of love and hate, of strife and war and of tragedy, with the traditional liappy ending and the wedding of the lovers la molded in the pretty and attractive comic opera “La Mascotte,” selected by the Eltham Operatic Society for their this year’s production. When to this A? added lovely melodious music, (Stirring choruses, beautiful solos and a wealth of orchestration eminently befitting the subject of the story, interpreted capably and confidently by a strong well-chosen east, it will! 'be; realised liow great a. success was achieved by the amateurs of Eltham. That they added another to their growing list of successful performances will be the general and well-merited verdict of th© large and enthusiastic audience who witnessed the opening performance of tine 1928 season at Eltham last night Every jsoloiiist fitted the part well and the chorus sang with fine spirit. The story concerns the life and fortunes of the farmer Rocoo, unfortunate until lie has a Mascotte him by his brother, a. turkey herd named Bettina. But trouble comes to him when the King Laurent, out a-hunting, sees 1 and quietly annexes La Mascotte, much to the sorrow of her peasant lover, Pippi, who, to be near her, becomes one of. a Bohemian troupe who dance and sing at court.

Honours are thruist on La Mascotte, who is mad© a countess and is watched ever by Roceo and the King, the former now, Chamberlain. But one condition of her luck bringing power is that she must not many the man she loves, and so they scheme to keei> Pippo away. That young man, however, renews his courting until lie hears gossips say, that his sweetheart aspires to; fine Crown. ‘ The Princess Fiamebta. Roves Pippo, and now finds him amenable to her attractions, coolly throwing over, her betrothed husband, Prince Eritil--1 ini. Bettina, stung by this falseness, agrees to many the King, who thinks me will thus secure tire continual luck that follows the legend “If she loves, whom shall she wed. then the Mascot: te’s power is fled.” But fate intervenes when the real lovers make up the quarrel, and, helped by Fritellini, will© wi slues to, make use of them to clear a grudge against the King. The war rages and Friteffiini carries all before' him, because of the presence or the mascotte in his camp. The King and his companions, disguised as minstnals, visit the other camp, and, disagreeing over Bettina., arrange to try to stop the marriage of the lovers. Too late, however; they are wedded, and all ends lumpily. The opera gives great scope both for singing and acting and for lighting and. stag© effects, and of this tire company’ took full measure. The real atmo-; sphere was secured! by the producers, and their general organisation and power of getting just the right touch that , fits the play was well backed up by the ability and the generally good interpretation by every section of the company. Naturally, a great deal depends on La Mascotte, and in this charming character Mrs L. Npddeir was most happily suited. Sh e played the part with an arch vivacity that was very convincing and, at once captured her audience. Her singing was excellent, a nell throughout ishe scored a great success. Sihe sang, her so’os in capital style, her best perhaps being the vivacious area “Hands Off, You Saucy Creatures.” with an effective choral accompaniment by ' the tenors and bosses; and “Oil, give Me Back,” while in the duets with Pippo ‘‘Glon, Glen” and “This Silk Attire,” and with Laurent “Let Me Alone,” the voices blended very nicely and the duos sang and acted with appropriate ant. She revelled in the working out of the character and 'really lived her part, and that made for the success ishe undubtedly secured.

Fiaineita. t;ho princess, is a character cast.in a different mould and requiring no less art to achieve an interpretation befitting the king’s daughter. Miss .Allison Wilson 1 was well chosen and imparted into the pant of the high born lady a most fitting: haughtiness while she 'showed the powers of a woman in the highest station of life to feel love and hate and jealousy just as the simple village maid. She thus brought out the remarkable contrast developed in the character sketch. She sang and acted with great charm. In the arietta “Give ape the Swain.” and the song, with accompaniment by the soldiers, (■she was at heir best. Mir Fred Silver was happily cast as the farmer It coco and lie again showed his remarkable versatility in scoring a marked success and. infusing into the part that mixture of rollicking fun and powers of scheming which are the features of the port. Whether as the simple fanner or the dignified chamberlain at count, Mr Silver gob just the right atmosphere and brought out to the full the wit and humour with which the part is filled. He is a clever actor and has the power to be absolutely natural, never overdoing the comedy, but just able to get the real meaning into his voice: and his actions. He sang with much effect and bis voice added not ia. little to the success of the concerted numbers by the soloists. Mr Siam. Carson is one of the most popular singers and his bass voice: and bis fine singing are applied, to. a power of clever aiei/ing wlncli raaiie his. work always good. As King Laurent he acted ivith becoming dignity and stateliness and lie looked th<j part to the life. But lie was also able to import humour and fun into: the scenes when the monarch has for the nonce doffed his kingly robes and become a minstrel. “Wipe Folks Have iMjvuys Noted” was perhaps his best song, but he made g success of his vocal: mimibqriS throughout and his voice was most effective: in the quartettes. Mr H. D. Lamibie was cast as the Prince Fritellini, the tenor soloist, and had a congenial part to •take. His voice is suited to the pant and he made a great success in his portrayal , of the character. “Love is Blind,’’ a pretty aria, gave him scope to show Ills best and of it he took full advantage. His singing wias well hacked by capable acting, Ills stage appearance' being very, appropriate. Mr E. El. Garter’s fine baritone voice was heard in his best style when he took the part of Hippo, the shepherd, and he made an engaging lover. He showed a really good conception of the character and portrayed it well and with marked ability. His “Legend of the Mascotto” was really excellent and in the .scene with a ballet “Let the Nautch Dancers” lie was quite at lids best. His voice was also: very effective in the concerted numbers. Other characters very capably filled were the inn-keeper (Mr G. V. Smith’), the sergeant ('Mr Hargreaves), and the peasant (Mr >R. Belcher). The song by the last named “Wine’s the Friend of AVit” was really capital and thoroughly enjoyed while Mr Hargreaves’s voice was good in the guards’ choruses. AIL three” well backed up the work of the principals: and showed a very marked ability to act with spirit and effect. The chorus, as always, was a: real feature of the performance. They developed a fine volume of tone, sang i with good expression, and entered j fully 'into the spirit of the comedy. I

They were dressed well, and to them the company owes not a, little of the real success achieved. Their best numbers were perhaps “Now the' merry vintage,” hunting chorus “Now sport is o’er,” and the finales in the three acts, “The Bell,” “Here comes the bridegroom,” and “Now all is safely over.” But there was in all their work a control and a nice attention to light and shade that was very attractive. Special mention is due to the concerted numbers by the principals. These were sung with excellent expression and. appreciation of the work presented. They were among the best of the evening. The orchestra had a heavy part in the opera, and did remarkably well. The bright overtures and entr’actes were capital, while their “accompaniments were played in nice taste and. well subdued when needed. Chorus and orchestra were under the capable control of Mr. A. Beesley, and lie' is to he complimented on his good work. He always had them in hand and secured many fine' effects. They showed the results of his capable training. He was well supported by an efficient accompaniste, Mrs. O’Hagan, to whom the society owes a great deal. Other parts were filled capably—pages, peasant girls, maids, and Bohemians —while the ballet was very pretty and attractive-. The producers, Messrs. Oa.rdston and Baxter, are to he congratulated on their good work. The- dressing, the lighting, the scenery, and the general stage effects were :such as one associates with their capable direction. To the stage manager (Mr. H. Nodder), the wardrobe mistress (Mrs. Carson), the house manager (Mr. W. Waters), the president (Mr. O’Hagan), and the bon. secretary (Mr. R, L. Garden) the society owes much for their unsnaring efforts and their general efficiency. The results of the combination woi/Ic" was the great and undoubted success secured.

THE SOCIETY’S ENGAGEMENTS. The company will be in Ha wor n. on Monday next, and will be fissured of an enthusiastic reception. They will be in Eltham again on Friday. Tonight they will appear at New Plymouth, and will visit Stratford on Wednesday next.