AMATEUR OPERA CLUB.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8404, 4 November 1890, Page 5

AMATEUR OPERA CLUB.

" THE SORCERER.'' The Auckland Amateur Opera Company after months of rehearsal produced Gilbert and Sullivan's revised edition of " The Sorcerer" last ni<rht. There was an appreciative and indeed a fair audience in tho dress circle and the lower portion of the house, but it was noc so crowded a house as we should have expected on the opening night of such a performance. Hcrr Carl Hchmitt wielded the conductor's baton efficiently, and in his department there was nothing wanting. The orchestra was also strong and correctin the musical movements, and the chording with the choruses was precise and artistic. Then as to the staging, no manager could have dono more in this respect. Every artistic design which was attempted was good, and the whole of the limelight effects were excellent. The opening scene was a beautiful set, and in its different phases of limelight and other effects it was brilliant. As to the dressing, the ladies are really artistically dressed, and great credit is due to the Auckland lady who has not only designed, but manufactured or constructed, those indescribable robes which make a lady beautiful. Tho men of course were dressed in appropriate costumes, but the dresses of Sir Marinaduke, Dr. Daley, and the Sorcerer himself were really artistic. " The Sorcerer" is not a novelty in Auckland. It has been already produced by tho Amateur Company, and with a good deal of the same coat, but there some changes which arc noticeable. The op ;ara has been thoroughly rehearsed. Every singer knew exactly what to everyone knew exactly what to sing, and for the most part the opera was received with a good deal of enthusiasm. It was evident also that a great deal of care and numerous rehearsals had been held, but it wos the first time last

night that many of the performers ha«l been at the footlights, and if their courage vanished it is only what lias occurred to those who have subsequently made their marks in the Senate, in the opera, in the drama, and other lines of life. Confidence will arise with practice, and the defects of last night will lead to perfection. The centre in the opera is John Wellington Wells (the Sorcerer), a part which Mr. Arc'ndale Taylor sustains in perfect style. His manner is l:y no means hackneyed, his voice is good, his action natural, although grotesque enough to fill the part ; but he was never once at fault last night, and he fully sustained his well won reputation as the most perfect amateur actor who has ever appeared in Auckland. His manner, his gait, his sang froid mid thorough confidence in his own resources as " The Sorcerer," were admirable, and in the incantation scene he fairly surpassed himself. Mr. Percy Dufaur was a perfect Dr. Daly in make up and character. He lias made the part a study, and carried it to its climax, and he was in fine voice too. Miss Buckland, who was certainly the most natural and perfect actress on the stage, made the most of her opportunities. Mr. T. M. Jackson, although somewhat stiff in stage action owing to his recent accident, was in splendid voice, and in fact has seldom been heard to better advantage than in some of the beautiful numbers with which this opera abounds and favours the leading tenor. His duet, "O Love, True Love," with Miss Buckland was a beautiful blend of 'music. It is not possible, nor indeed is it necessary, to enter into a detailed criticism of such a wellknown opera as " The Sorcerer," for it has been repeatedly before the Auckland public frequently, but the manner in which it is now replaced reflects credit on the Amateur Opera Club, for no detail was neglected. The opening chorus, " Ring Out, Ye Bells,' was strong in volume but somewhat amateurish, owing to the diffidence of some of the singers. This they will get out of after another performance. Miss Buckland's " Aline" was most faithfully presented on the stage. Mr. Dufaur's make up as the old rector was really capital. Mr. Cn,ambers thoroughly appreciated and represented the role, of the pompous Sir Marmaduke ; while Mr. Hamerton as the lawyer, and Mrs. (Jlutsam as the pew-opener, and Miss Steel as Lady Sangazure, filled in their parts crcditably. Miss Buckland as Aline entered heart and soul into the opera. She was never at fault, and she was in very good voice. Her entrance was effective, and in the aria, " Happy Young Heart," she fairly caught the sympathies of the audience, and received as a reward a shower of bouquets and an encore. Throughout the opera she sustained thorough self - possession, an equable manner, and cultivated voice, and in the beautiful duet, " 0 Love, True Love," just before the end of the last act, there was a most happy blending of voices between Miss Buckland and Mr. Jackson, which brought down rounds of applause. Mr. Tayler was excellent throughout. In the patter introduction, "My name is John Wellington Wells," his style was perfect. He was almost grotesque in some features, but in the incantation scene he fairly aroused the enthusiasm of the audience into explosive laughter. His presence on the stage to the finish was recognised by applause, and if his disappearance was not as effective as it ought to be that was not his fault. It was not only as an actor, but as a singer that Mr. Tayler made his mark. He takes part in the duet with Miss Clara Steele (Lady Sangazure), " Hate Me, Love Me," one of the funniest combinations of words and music that has over been put before the public. He showed a brilliancy of voice which pleased his friends, and the enthusiasm was so great that the pair were nearly aroused "from the family vault." Miss Lizzie Warren, who appeared as Lady Sangazure, has a fine stage appearance and a fairly good contralto voice, and in the concerted music her voice sounded well. Mr. Dufaur's numbers were rendered with taste and without exaggeration. The choruses throughout were good and effective, and there was a certain vim in this portion of the slow which proved that their education had not be tn neglected in the rehearsals.

" The Sorcerer" has now fairly gone into business. He will be able to rectify any errors which occurred at the opening, and supply deficiencies, but on the whole tho patrons have little to complain of, and the fact that the audience was enthusiastic last night showed that they recognised the talents and abilities of our girls and outboys. " The Sorcerer " will keep his place of business open, not at St. Mary's Axe, but at the Opera House, for several nights yet.