WILLIAMSON OPERA CO.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 82, 19 March 1934, Page 10

WILLIAMSON OPERA CO.

MERRY WIDOW AND FLORODORA. This morning in Hastings the box plans opened at nine o’clock for the production on Wednesday night next of ‘‘The Merry Widow” and of “Florodora” to be presented on Thursday evening. It would be a difficult matter to ascertain which is the most popular of the two operas, because wherever they have been staged recently they have both attracted record audiences and have been staged for the same number of performances in the various centres. The J. C. Williamson Ltd. New Comic Opera Company has now established itself as tlie best organisation of musical comedy ami comic opera artists that has toured New Zealand for many | years, and. local playgoers are fortun- I ate in that they will witness them in j their best and most successful produc- | tions. “The Merry Widow” is regarded as being one of the most exquisite comic operas the Continental and English-speaking stage has known, and although it is thirty years since it was first produced its music is still in the library of all lovers of ear-haunting melodies. With its honeyed lyrics. Slav colour, brisk action, vivacity and general measure of prominence to the comedians “The Merry Widow”, product of the pre-war Vienna school never fails to prove a magnet fore

theatregoers. Both “The Merry Widow’’ and “Florodora” lend themselves to picturesque stage settings and to elaborate costuming of which the management, it is said, has taken full advantage. Miss Homola Hansen is said to have attained her greatest popularity as Sonia in “The Merry Widow’’ and as Dolores in “Florodora’’. This charming young soprano is now regarded as Ihe best primadonna on the Australian or New Zealand stage to-day, a position she has won through the agency of her high quality voice and her outstanding artistry. Herbert Browne’s delightful tenor voice is heard at its best in both operas, and Erie Bush has achieved an outstanding success as Prince Danilo in “The Merry Widow’’. The company boasts two exceptionally clever and genuinely humourous comedians and they both are given unlimited opportunities in “The Merry Widow’’ and “Florodora” to create merriment. Miss Stella Collier liases splendid singing part as Natalie in Lchar’s famous opera, and Miss Lois Green, a very talented and dainty soubrettc, is seen to advantage in the two operas to be staged here. Miss Marie l a Varre’s reappearance will be welcomed bv playgoers as she made herself tremendously popular when she last appeared here in “Wildflower.” Other principal members of the company are Charles Albert. Oliver Peaxk, Dora Lightfoot, Doris Hopkins,

Mona Zeppol and Leahs Miller. Hu company includes a full operatic chorus and orchestra and a talented ballet. The scenery and dresses g-e features of both productions.