GRAND OPERA SEASON

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21318, 20 October 1932, Page 14

GRAND OPERA SEASON

"LA TRAVrATA" BRILLIANT PERFORMANCE' VALOBRA'S TRIUMPH Love, hate, jealousy, revenge—the whole gamut of human emotions is swept by master hand in Verdi's "La Traviata," presented last evening to a crowded house at His Majesty's Theatre by the Williamson Imperial Grand Opera Company. As played by Cesarina Valobra, Violetta Valery, the Parisian courtesan, became a noble and tragic figure, transformed from a pleasure-loving butterfly to a woman willing to sacrifice all, even herself, for the sake of her lover. It was a night of conspicuous and memorable triumph for Valobra, and hpr singing of the beautiful "Ah fors' c lui che aninia" and "Alfredo, di qucslo core" will long be remembered by Auckland music-lovers. No less memorable was the performance of Apollo Granfortc, in the role of Giorgio Gormont, father of Violetta's lover. In tlio second act, in a scene of infinite pathos, where lie appeals to her to sacrifice her love for his son's own sake, he and Valobra scored the greatest triumph of tho evening. Carlo Alficri, in tho part of Alfreda Germout, also scored one of the successes of tho evening. Tho lesser parts of Flora Bervoiz and Annina, friend and attendant to Violetta, offered but small opportunity for the display of vocal talent, but Gladys Garlysle and Frances Moloney sang and acted well in their respective parts. The Traviata music, as played by the orchestra, under the conductorship of Wando Aldrovandi, was full of fire and mirth and beauty. In response to numerous requests, Rossini's sparkling opera, "The Barber of Seville" was presented at' the matinee yesterday, instead of "II Trovatore." Puccini's powerful opera "Tosca" will be repeated this evening with the same magnificent cast:. Tho conductor will be Signor Rossi. To-morrow evening the first and only performance of the attractive opera "Tales of Hoffmann" will be given with one of the strongest casts of the season, introducing Lina Paliughi as the Doll, Castagna, Valobra, Montanari, Gran forte, Marone, Fiore, Bianchi, Gillett, Glasheen, Moronev Brien, Hood and Willoughby. Signor Rossi will conduct. The final performance of tho season will be given on Saturday. There will be a matinee of "Rigoletto" in the afternoon, commencing at two o'clock, with the original cast, and in tho evening the farewell gala performance will bo presentod. the operas being "Cavalleria Rusticana" and "Pagliacci" with the original casts, including Valobra, De Gunst, Mirassou, Granforte, Alfieri, Bianchi, Del Chiaro, Lynch and full orchestra and chorus. The performances will bo conducted by Signor Rossi and Wando Aldrovandi.