MUSGROVE'S GRAND OPERA COMPANY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11712, 23 July 1901, Page 5

MUSGROVE'S GRAND OPERA COMPANY.

"MIG-NON."

Though last night's attendance at the Opera House was not quite so large as on previous occasions during-the present opera season, the audience received the production by the Musgrove Grand Opera Company of Ambroise Thomas' delightful opera "Mignon" with very many signs of —sufficient, at all events, to make of the performance the success it richly deserved. " Mignon" is a work produced in Paris some 20 years ago, and one composed by the then president of the Conservatoire de Paris, the late and

much-lamented Ambroise Thomas. "Mignon" has, if, memory serves us, only once before been produced in Auckland, and that some years . ago by the Montague-Turner Company, with Mrs. Montague Turner in the title role. (That lady, by-the-by, had the score presented to her by the deceased composer when she was herself a pupil at the Conservatoire.) :»There are various reasons why "Mignon," although it contains some exceedingly fine workparticularly in the orohestration and also in some of its great vocal numbersdid not attain so much popularity as other works written at about the same period. The story i does not give ; the composer too - striking a peg upon which to hang a great work, j Moreover, a fault can,be found in the fact that in some of tho arias and choruses the music becomes at times very reminiscent. Still, great allowances must be made for a —particularly one brought up in a French school being often vividly impressed by some air heard by him before, it matters not where, and for the effect of that upon his after work. The greatest fault with " Mignon," however, is its tendency to " drag," especially in the scenes which lead up to the father—the wandering minstrelrecognising his daughter. The style of the work is light, and does not really come within the category of grand opera. As in works lighter still, some of the dialogue is spoken. The whole opera is very sketchy, yet altogether charming, and it sparkles like the champagne of the composer's country. The librettists (Messrs. Michael Carre and Jules Barbiere) had recourse to Goethe for their inspiration, and performed their work exceedingly well. The foundation of the story is the amatory nature of Wilhelm —the hero —who, whilst really in love with Mignon, attaches himself to the attractive aotress Filina. Frederick, ; /the contralto of the opera, enters Filina's service in an attempt to possess himself of her love, Wilhelm in the meantime joining her company as poet, for a similar purpose. The rescue of Mignon from the gipsies, by "Wilhelm, and her ultimate discovery as the child of Lothario, the wandering minstrel, who has spent yeaw in searoh of her, ' practically completes the tale around which the composer has woven so melodious a musical setting. In its production last night the same lavish display of costuming 'and scenery that has characterised the former productions of the Musgrove Company was shown. The singing of the opera was, moreover, on a par with former productions. Madame Slapoffski has betore given • signal proof of her marvellous power and versatility, so that it does not become necessary here to further accentuate her capability as a prima donna. As «T lgnon she was faithfully representative oi the part, imbuing her acting with the required expression, and singing her vocal numbers with both sympathy and skill. Her' scene in act two, whersrft 5 she became the exponent of jealousy and lof coquettish desire to please—the latter duality of character being evidenced in her jKf of the paraphernalia, of the actress—was" her best effort, and richly deserved the prolonged applause which iouowed. After her performance last night one becomes convinced that in Madame Slaponski are contained the gifts which belong only to the greatest artistes. This, too, though the opera in which her talent was so well displayed was but " Mignon"— and bright as it may be. Barron Berthald played the role of Wilhelm, and gave to the impersonation of it a good deal of force. A thankful character at the worst, it became in this clever artiste's hands one of great value to; the whole effect. Barron Berthald has struck former audiences as being clever, and as being good to listen to, but he has not done much better work than his part last night—easily as he seemed to look upon it. Miss Lillian Coomber is completely charming in whatsoever she may do, and her ifihna was a. thoroughly delightful performance. She both acted and sang with that grace- which belongs to her winsome personality. Needless to say, her impersonation met i with tne approval it merited. Mr. Uiarles Tilbury, with his fine voice and intelligent dramatic method, made the best of the character of Lothario. Miss Agnes Janson, as Frederick, the gallant, had all too little to do, and it goes without saying that her acting and her singing were beyond reproach. More than the ordinary meed of praise belong to Mr. Clarence Leumane. for his clever impersonation of Laertes. The part is only small, but might have been quite insignificant in less capable hands. That it did not so become last night was to the credit of the actor, who gave a really fine, interpretation of the role. Messrs. Gilbert King and E. H. Sutton gave, satisfactory renderings of two minor roles. The chorus were not greatly taxed/but gave no reason to cavil, whilst the orchestral work was entirely beyond criticism. An enticing ballet in the first act was not the leabt of the attractions of the opera, whioh on its second presentation next week should certainly draw a large house. * To-night the company will produce that popular opera "Maritana,"' which needs no commendation to Auokland theatregoers.