BIZET'S "CARMEN."

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20365, 20 September 1929, Page 16

BIZET'S "CARMEN."

REALISTIC PRESENTATION

USE OF SCREEN AND RECORDS

A novel presentation of Bizet's famous opera "Carmen" was given ii) the Lewis Eady Hall on Wednesday evening, and will bo repeated this evening. Tho presentation was exceptionally realistic, as actual scenes from the opera were thrown on tho screen by means of slides, at the same time as records were being played. As the various numbers aro sung in French the literal translation of the words is screened, enabling the audience to follow tho entire opera word for word. The synchronisation of the music and the words on the screen is cleverly arranged, and by means of using two electric gramophones absolute continuity in the music has been assured.

The records used aro of Columbia manufacture, and the music is exceptionally clear. By means of an amplifying device on tho gramophones the volume of sound can be so adjusted that the selections aro audible in any part of the hall, and tho words of the various artists are perfectly distinct.

Tho leading roles are sung by Raymonde Visconti, Andree Vavon, Georgos Thill, Andree Bernadef., Marthe Nespoulous ,and M. Guenot, all artists of high repute, who are heard to advantage in tho varied numbers of "Carmen," one of the most colourful operas. The slides give a faithful reproduction of tho four scones, the public square in Seville, the tavern, tho camp in the mountains and the arena at Seville, and some interesting "close-ups" of the artists are screened.

Tho tragic story of tho life of the beautiful, Carmon is faithfully told, and the combined offect of the pictures and the records provides a remarkably realistic entertainment. One of the finest numbers in the opera, tho final Carmen and Don Jose, is excellontly rendered by Visconti Thill whilo the screen depicts tho dramatic death of the gipsy heroine.

No chargo is being mado for admis sion.'