OPERA SEASON ENDS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 269, 28 October 1932, Page 2

OPERA SEASON ENDS

TWO MORE SUCCESSES. “RIGOLETTO” AND “CABMEN.” The Hastings season of the J. C. Williamson Imperial Grand Opera Company came to end last evening with a performance of “Carmen,” following a matinee performance of “Rigoletto” yesterday afternoon. The visit of the company has been a matter of the verygreatest pleasure to many hundreds of music lovers in this district, and Messrs J. C. Williamson Ltd. deserve much gratitude for their daring enterprise in bringing on tour so supremely fine a company at a time when such things may certainly be looked upon as risky ventures. In any event, the people of Hastings have no cause for any regrets, and the company may be counted as being all-round the finest that has visited this country. Both performances yesterday were of a quality that was fully in keeping with the wonderfully fine presentation of “Madame Butterfly,” and every one of the principals concerned (there was a different combination for each opera) displayed singing and acting abilities of the very highest standard. Lina Paliughi as Gilda in “Rigoletto” delighted the large audience that was present at yesterday’s matinee, and the several solo items that this opera gives to Gilda were sung with delicious spirit, and with a rare sweetness and sprightliness. Franco Izal, besides having a magnificent voice, is, like his colleagues, an actor of high attainments, and his solo work as well as his duets with G£ia were strikingly fine. “Carmen” was particularly notable for the remarkably fine performance of Bruna Castagna in the name part. The light and airy spirit of Carmen in the first act showed what great qualities she is possessed of, but she went on to greater things as the tragedy developed to its terrible and moving climax in the very last scene of all. Her flirtatiousness and capriciousness, and every one of the many moods through which her fickle temper passes, were wonderfully portrayed, and she gave a performance that was finished in every detail. Pedro Mirassou as Done Jose, and Apollo Granforto as Escamillo, shared what was an immense success in the two leading male .parts, and again here were two men who are born actors as , well as born singers. Miss Eve Lynch

as Micaela sang: deliciously, and fitted her part beautifully. She i g a Now Zealander in which her country may well take pride. Once again the scenery and the work of the orchestra were worthy of special praise, and both assisted greatly i* making all thre operas the great cesses that they undoubtedly were.