Dramatic and Musical

Free Lance, Volume II, Issue 60, 24 August 1901, Page 14

Dramatic and Musical

By Footlight.

MUSGROYE'S Giand Opeia Company are still monopolizing the attention and commanding the pationago of the public of Wellington. No wondei Opera has never befoie been produced in New Zealand on a scale so rich and ornate, and with such affluence of musicai lesources, both vocal and instiumental. More than that there is a change ot bill nightly, so that there is no opportunity for the ponulai interest to flag. "Caimen"' was lepeated on Saturday night, and icncwed the success, which it achieved on the pievious Tuesday Miss J arisen gives a stnking poitraiture of the leading role, and sings the music with telling effect. Madame Slapoffski made a tender and winsome Micaela, and sang with sweetness of tone and expression the rather difficult music which is scored for the pait Signor Salvi's Jose is also excellent To see him merely as Mannco one w ould conclude he was a poor actor, but his Jose shows that he has undoubted histrionic talent. His singing, of course, was excellent Escamillo is one of Mr. Max Eugene's strong parts, and he won a lar^e shaie of the popular plaudits. The "Toioador's Son"" was encore^ . Mr. Lawrence Moonev had no scope for the display of his melodious voice in the small role of Zuniga but his easy and effective acting enabled him to scoie every point that was available. All the chorus work was admirably done, and the orchestration was sans leproche "Lohengrin," which was lepeated on Monday night, to the usual crowded house, is one of the triumphs of a memorable season. One might easily write several columns of laudatory description, and yet not say enough. The opera is mounted in a grandiose style. The tableaux are graphically arranged, tho action is smooth and impressive, and the costumes are both tasteful and Inghlv picturesoup All the musical oha.rms of this delightful work aio brought out into artistic relief the lovely introduction (very skilfully interpreted by the orchestra), with its novel treatment of the chief motne, which is earned from pianissimo to extiemo fortissimo, and then as Gradually diminishes again, Elsa's touching song, the splendid finale to the first act, Ortrud's invocation, and the duet between E'sa and Ortrud, the male choiuse«, and the procession in the second act the marriage choius in the third act, the grand and staking duet between Elsa and Lohengrin and the majestic orchestral summons of the warriors All these remarkable passages invite special mention and particular praise, but it will suffice merely to group them togethe r, and to say they were brilhanth presented Ban on Berthald as, Lohengiin, Madame Slapoffski as Elsa (the stiongest part I have seen her m), Max Eugene as Tehamund, Lempneie Pi ingle as Henry "the Fowler," King of Germany, Lawrence Moonev as the Royal Herald, diul Miss Ennquetta Cnchton as Ortiud, all ga\ c admirable impeisonations of their seveial parts, and the \ ocal honours may be fairly divided between Madame Slapoffski and Ban on Beithald, while Lawience Moone\ delneied Ins deolamaton lecitatnes with clear enunciation and unpressne effect It is to be hoped that oppoitunity will be found for a third petfoimance of this fine woi k befoie the season closes "Maiitana " the Musgio\e Opeia Company's hist excursion into opera comiquo in WeLhngton, was perfoimed on Tuesday e\ening, before a rapt audience. The bnlhant, breezy work offered the highest possibilities to the pnncipals to shine m their se\eral roles, and that they took the full advantage is certain Miss Coomber achieved a great hit" in the title role The familiar duet "Sainted Mother," as sung h\ Miss Coomber and Miss Jansen, was a great tieat and Miss Jansen Lazajillo) faiiK thrilled the audience by her execution of "Alas' those Chimes ' Don C'ct'sai de 80/ai is Senoi Sah i's onpoitunit\ His diamatic pourtraval of the Iwuhm -go-luck y nob'e is fascinating, full of vivacity, and brilliant vocalisation. One forgets that "Let Mo Like

a Soldier Fall" has been sung to death until Salvi resurrects it in its pustino bnllianoe. His acting is as effoitless as his singing. The Don Jose of Mr Lawrence Mooney gave him a chance of singing "In Happy Moments." His treatment of the pathetic, familiar moiccau H.ib tendei, and w as lacking only in that the singer had some difficulty with his vowe's, "a's" always being made to sound like ' o's " Mr. C'hailes Tilbuiy's bass voice was heaid to advantage in his part as the King Undoubtedly ' Mantana," with its spark'c, its dehcan and it<- finished handling is a suic diaw when perfoimed by the Musgiove Opera Company " Tannhauser " drew a splendid house on Wednesday night, and was received with every demonstration of delight. Herr Slapoffski received an o\ation at the close of the long and brilliant overture, and Madame Slapoffski, as Elisabeth, and Mr. Barron Berthald, in the name pait, equalled the success they had pieviouslv achieved in " Lohengrin." Dixs Gaiet at the Theatie Ro>al, has tins week presented new and stnkmg features. The advent of the Haytors has been welcomed enthusiastically, their finished performance eliciting the fervid enthusiasm of Gaiety habitues Many new turns appeal on the bill of fare, and the people who arc not new ransack then repertoire for novelties that the interest of pations shall not wane. Miss Lily Roberts, the operatic songstress, has a mellifluous voice, and a charming method of using it. Singly, or in combination with the pleasing vocalisation of Mr Herbert Robeits, her "turn" is a decided acquisition. The sympathetic rendering of operatic moiceaux by the brother and sister are refreshing. Professor Tom Almond, the quaint skatei and comedian, has now business frequently, and his feats on the rollers aie as droll and attractive as ever. Miss Ethel Gwynne ti ills pleasingly, and the musicaJ reputation of the Gaiety is kept alive by such capable exponents of song as Messrs. George Dean, Tom Leonard, and Arthur Morley, all clever in their lespective departments The Woodwards add their quaint business to prevent the interest flaeeme: while Olive Lenton, the dainty graceful danceuse and songstress, adds vim and sparkle to the whole. Dunbar's Company, at the Exchange Hall, have opened with bright piospects of success. On the mauguial night the hall was taxed to its utmost bv people anxious to witness the outcome of Mr. Dunbar's enterprise. Many artists familiar to the fun-loving public gave "turns " and many others new and strange to New Zealanders, added to the merriment of the proceedings Influenza, the foe of song, somewhat marred the first night's proceedings, but the valiant struggle of the compam to have their ventuie a success \va.s commendable. Leslie Forrest, the dual singer, cain& his title by being able to sing equally effectively — barnng colds — in falsetto or baiitone He struggled gamely with his interchangeable gift and certain.lv got thiough on his merits Mr H Baxter, of the resonant voice and telling style sings well enough to wairant his keeping at it, and Bella Lee the juvenile singer of simple songs, charmed with her natuialness Mr. Fred Garnet, a quaint acrobat of serpentine tendencies, is a successful mirth-piovider and Miss Loftus the linger of pathetic moise's, succeeds in moistening sympathetic eyes. Mr Farnleigh uses a small baritone voice somewhat tastefully, and instrumental solos interspersed make up the sum of a successful show . [Continued on Page K> ]

Mr. Wallace King, who has been using his gift of song for Mr. P. R. Dix, was one time a member of Mr. Tom Hudson's Surpiise Party. On the conclusion of his present engagement he will join the McAdoo Jubilee Singers. ■H- * # Miss Mollie Bentley, who has been in New Zealand for some time, ha* concluded her engagement with Mr Dix, at the City Hall, Auckland. She is joining Mr. Rickard's company in Sydney. Says the Auckland "Sporting Re- \ ie\\" — " Contracts representing £230,000 sterling have, it seems, been made by Mr. Dix with Mr. Rickards, and cover a supply of the finest imported talent, to extend o\ei the next foin years. Under this anangement all Rickards' best 'turns' are to come to Dixs land " The Fuller management is doing so well at the Empire Theatre, Sydney, that it is proposed to open halls at Melbourne and Biisba<ne. * *■ * The Tay'or-Carrington Company finished a successful season at Adelaide last Saturday Their intention is to work the remaining portion of the Commonwealth, arriving in NNcrw r Zealand in about three months from date * * * Dunbar's Vaudeville Company is to be further strengthened on Saturday night by the advent of Charles Hugo, the old-time burnt-cork artist, Tom Moonev, champion clog dancer of Australia, Fred. Daw&on, the Australian tenoi songster, and the Cortz Brothers, described as "daring ajrial trapezists and gentlemen acrobats " Mr. P. R. Dix will celebrate the anniversary of his opening business at Christohurch on September 3rd, and his Wellington anniversary on the 19th of the same month. * * # Influenza has made a serious difference to attendances at Sydney theatres during the past few weeks. At least five leading parts in that city have been undertaken by under-studies, but up to now the undertakers have not been reel mred for the principals. ¥ * * Mr. Charles Bertram, the Modern Magician, threatens to 'mystify NewZealand immediately after his Sydney season. He, however, recognising the number of fine entertainments now within, our gate*%, has postponed Im descent, and is astonishing the natives in the interior of the Union for the time being. M. Jean Gerardy was among the crowd at Hordern's fire, in Sydney. Ono of the light-fingered fraternity insinuated a hand into one of the young master's pockets. Monsieur, however, attacked the man, who disappeared The man's accomplices intended making it waim for the 'cellist, but, fortunately, the police' arrived in time 1 to nermit M Gerardy to make his New Zealand toui sound and whole.

The Wellington Acclimatisation Society holds its quarterly meeting at No 2, Westminstei Chambeis, on Wednesday, August 28th at 8 p.m Tlk> mclet.nv (Mi A F Lowe) may be appioachcd as to the objects and ambition of the Society Consumers of gas will be p'eased with the offers of the Wel'ington Gas Company, set forth in detail elsewhere in this issue The company, by the hbeiahtv of its dealings, is making a bid foi increased business It will be seen, from the advertisement, that the company ls prepared to supply almost any kind of gas fitting free of charge. It also contracts to supply the prepayment meter, the most modern and economical s\stem of pin chasing gas The abolition of the gas bill by this novel system is made possible, and the possibility of unfair charges is eliminated. The fiimpain's inspector will call at any specified .iddiess to advise in lespect to installation rind }>;.us hxtuies oi metcis .md the ( .ip.ible secietan (Mi R G Unwell) is happy to gi\e am lntorin.ition on the subject of light intending clients may desne

We'll sing God bless the Pnnce of Wales, Piotect him fiom the storms and gales , And may his health for evei hold Fiee fiom either cough or cold, But Pnnces too, despite lestiaints, Are sub]ect to all chest complaints. For which the leniedy, tried and suie, IsW E. Woods'Gith\i Peppkrmim Cuti..