“THE MIKADO.”

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIII, Issue 13661, 31 January 1905, Page 6

“THE MIKADO.”

It is a long time since Christchurch possessed an Amateur Opera Company, although many smaller towns in New Zealand have established and successfully maintained ■ such organisations for years. This is the more a cause for wonder as the community is essentially a musical one, and the marked success of amateur talent, in the Christchurch Musical Union " and the Liedertofel would have suggested the formation of an-Amateur Opera Company long ago. These older organisations of amateurs "will not bo jealous of their younger comrade, who will not in any way trespass upon their domains, and their own success should bo decidedly enheartening to the new Society. References have already been made in detail to the strength-of the cast and of the tuition, and to the character of the opera which they are about to produce, Sullivan’s bright and tuneful “Mikado.” ; The rehearsals .have disclosed that, so. far as these features are concerned, the performance will.be a - clever and satisfactory one, but there , still remains a; word to be said concerning the completeness of the accessories, and of those less obvious helps to the tent ensemble which help to “ make wheels go round.” Under the baton of Herr R. C. Zimmerman, the orchestra has been successfully trained not only in the production of the music but also in the more difficult art of accompanying. The two scenes in which the opera is set have been brightly and prettily painted by the well-known scenic .artist, Vennemark, and the dresses have been made from special designs by Mesdames W. Densem and-Millington. The limelight effects will be in charge of Messrs G. Newman and Ward, and Mr E. Schstz will have associated with him as assistant stage manager Mr J. Allen. Mr Spensloy has given his services as leader of the orchestra and Miss L. Cameron null hfe the accompanists. This is a fortunate array of talent, when added to that already mentioned, and if the performance is not a success it will certainly not be owing to any lack of thoroughness on the part of those concerned in its preparation. The season will commence at the Theatre Royal nest Tuesday evening, and the opera will rnn for the four following nights. ' The bos office will be -open at the Dresden Piano Company’s office 021 Thursday.