GOUNOD'S "FAUST."

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20052, 15 September 1928, Page 16

GOUNOD'S "FAUST."

SUCCESS AT THE OPERA. A LISSOME MARGUERITE. SIGNORINA FLOR'S DEBUT. Tlio manner in which "Faust" hold tho attention of a large audience at St. .Tamos' Theatre last, evening shows convincingly that age cannot dim the fame of music that is really great. Gounod's inspired pii rases, wrapt, in semi-religious shrouds, received a sympathetic treatment.

Prime interest centred in the first appearance before an Auckland audience of the .beautiful Danish lyric soprano, Signorina Margherita Flor. Graceful in appearance. and of desirable slimness, she bestowed upon the part ot Marguerite a sensitive interpretation and used a voice of considerable strength and perfect qual ity, employing its facility for delicate modulation with outstanding success in the onerous phrasing of the ''Jewel tiong," the ballad of the "King of Thule" and the equally well-known "Love Duet," in which she displayed histrionic gifts of no mean order. In depicting the frenzied remorse that overtakes her upon the death of Valentine, she plumbed unlimited resources of the dramatic art. and in the prison scene produced an trie effect by the skill with which

contrasted tlio poignant tenderness of iho t.oues accompanying the pianissimo organ passages with the majestic sweep of the declamatory song, "Holy Angel, in Heaven Blessed."

From the opening recitative it was evident that Signci Brandisio Vannucci, whose recent cold advised vocal moderation, intended his ''Faust" to be painted in soft colours Nevertheless, his phrasing of the celebrated cavatina, "All Hail, Thou Dwelling," was feelingly rendered, and he maintained an even balance in the "Love Duet with Signorina Flor. The one dominating contribution by the male principals was the Mephistophd.es of Signor Ernesto Fumagalli, who, attired in the conventional scarlet cloak of the Prince of Darkness, and accompanied by the requisite clouds of smoke and explosions of red flash powdei, sang with all the sonorous power of his magnificent bass voice. The great "Calf of Gold" song, reverberating from stage to roof, and the broadly-written air, "Recollect the Old Time," sung with energy to the strains of the organ, received a brilliant treatment, but the high-water-mark of a surpassingly fine performance was the sterling rendering of the great "Mocking Serenade." Signor Federici, as Valentine, sang his cavatina, "Even Bravest Heart," in a desirably flowing style, and in two other respects he was an acquisition—his part in the trio, "What is Your Will With We," and his graphic interpolation of the dying curse song. Signorina Matilda Pfriinmer, as Siebel, made a pleasing impression in her love song, "Gentle Flow'rs in the Dew."

Gounod's beautiful music received a worthy handling bv.Signor Giovanni Gonzalez's orchestra. The choral work, too, attained perfection at many points, unfortunately drowned at times, as in the " Soldier's Chorus," by the brasses in the orchestra.

The operas for this afternoon and evening will be " La Traviata" and "Norma" respectively. The former received a memorable presentation last Tuesday; the latter will be the first performance Auckland has seen of this famous Bellini opera for many years. Signorina Rosita Silvestri, who will be remembered for her artistic contribution to " II Trovatorc," will sustain the title role. Signorina Nina Algozinno will appear as Adalgasia, Signor Arturo Tamburini (his first Auckland appearance) as Pollione, and Signor Ernesto Fumagalli, as the arch-druid Oroveso.