ABBOTT'S OPERA HOUSE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9134, 16 August 1888, Page 5

ABBOTT'S OPERA HOUSE.

"PIRATES OF PENZANCE."

Gilbert and Sullivan's popular opera, "Pirates of Penzance," was produced at Abbott's Opera House yesterday evening by the members of the Auckland Amateur Opera Club. The building was crowded, there being only a few seats in the house which were unoccupied. The performance generally was a signal success. The soloists had carefully prepared their parts, the chorus gave evidence of the training which they had undergone, whilst the orchestra proved themselves most efficient. That other important detail, the scenery, and accessories, was a charming feature of the entertainment. Complete arrangements had been made for the production of the opera, and the committee of the club deserve high credit for this, no less than for the precautions which they took to secure the comfort of the large audience. Mrs. Cooper sustained the part of Mabel, and, notwithstanding that the role is a heavy one, achieved a marked success. In the opening bars of the pretty waltz song, " Poor Wandering One," she was somewhat disappointing, but she quickly recovered herself, and sang the remainder of this effective though difficult number in a manner which left nothing to be desired, the florid passages of the closing portion being skilfully taken. A shower of bouquets greeting the fair songstress at the conclusion of the solo, but a persistent demand for an encore was not complied with. Airs. Cooper gained another success in the air, "Dear Father, Why Leave Your Bed?" but in the duet with Frederick, " x\h ! Leave Me Not To Pine,"she scored one of her greatest hits, because of the pathos and expression with which she invested this plaintive and beautiful number, and it was followed by rapturous applause. But, beside the excellence of her singing, there was also the natural grace and vivacity which she infused into the character, which was admirably sustained. To Miss Julia Knight, who represented the character of Ruth, the "piratical maid-of-all-work," must be accorded a considerable share of the musical and histrionic honours. With a sweet, clear voice, she combined plenty of dramatic expression, without, however, the least exaggeration of display, and her intonation was perfect, her lines being spoken very distinctly. She showed a thorough conception of the role, her acting in the closing scene of the first act being especially good. Miss Knight sang the solo, " When Frederick Was a Little Boy," with marked effect, and in the patter trio with Frederick and the Pirate King, " When You had Left Our Pirate Fold," she again appeared to advantage. Her lines in the other concerted numbers were also well sung. The minor parts of Edith and Kate were played by Misses Buckland and L. Durrieu. For the part of the MajorGeneral, Mr. C. Chambers was very happily chosen. He sang , with due taste and expression, and entered with spirit into the by-play of the character, his appropriate gestures and mannerisms being very amusing , . Mr. Chambers has evidently carefully studied the part, and his acting is extremely clever; The patter song with which the Major-General introduces himself was encored, and his two solos in the second act, " Tormented With the Anguish Dread" and " Softly Sighing to the River," were creditably rendered, the effect of the hidden chorus being very fine. Mr. T. Charter appeared as the Pirate King, and the excellent manner in which he sustained it brings him special credit from the fact that for the past few days he was suffering from illness. Though he was thus handicapped, his part lacked nothing in preparation, and he invested the character with its due dignity. He sane his principal solo, "I am a Pirate King, with taste and finish, and the other incidental music was also pleasingly rendered. The part of Frederick was ably interpreted by Mr. A. L. Edwards, though in some situations he was hardly vigorous enough. He has a pleasing tenor voice of light quality, and he sang with taste, his duet with Mabel, already mentioned, being one of his greatest successes, whilst the melodious air, "Is There Not One Maiden Breast," was another charming number. " You Told Me You Were Fair as Gold," the duet with Ruth, a very tuneful number, narrowly escaped an encore. As the Sergeant of Police, Mr. P. C. Hamerbon also played well, and his song, " When the Foeman Bares his Steel," with the "Tarantara" chorus, was vociferously encored, as was also his other number, " When a Felon's Not Engaged." The "catching" music of the policeman's song took the fancy of the audience, and when in compliance with an encore the Sergeant added to the latter solo a stanza which did not appear in the libretto, and which comprised a reference to the "Golden Chariot," he was recalled for the third time. The chorus of policemen made quite a hit. The character of Samuel was acted with skill by Mr. Worrall, who, however, had not much to do. The chorus consisted of about 60 performers, who sang with fine effect, " The Chattering Chorus" being well sung, whilst the invocation to poetry, and the chorus which concludes the first act, " Here's a First-rate Opportunity," were especially telling. The orchestral accompaniments were exceedingly well rendered. There was a large muster of members, about twenty being present, and under the leadership of Mr. A. Eady they played with great taste, the solo accompaniments being an especial feature, as they were subdued to the proper degree, and without being too soft. The overture was played with marked success, and loud applause marked its termination. The musical arrangements were under the direction of Herr Schmitt, and their successful result was ample testimony of the ability with which he performed his arduous task. As Herr Schmitt stepped into his seat in the orchestra, the audience paid him a graceful tribute by a round of applause, to which he bowed his acknowledgments.

The scenery with which the piece was mounted was newly painted to the order of the club by Mr. Neville Thornton, to whom great praise must be accorded. There was a murmur of approbation when the curtain rose on the second act and disclosed the ruined chapel by moonlight, a very pretty scene. The costumes were also entirely new, and must have been very costly. Some really beautiful effects of colour were obtained by the successful grouping of the many-hued dresses of the ladies with the picturesque costumes of the pirates, the brilliancy of the tableaux being enhanced by limelight. Messrs. F. Earl and AY. F. Wilson efficiently fulfilled the thankless duties of stage managers, and Mr. A. Ashton disposed the limelight effects. The greatest credit is due to Mr. J. B. Gilfilhin, who carried out the multitudinous business arrangements connected with the production of the opera. An effective finale to the entertainment was supplied in the tableau, " Britannia and Her Daughters." The opera will be repeated this evening.