ROMANTIC OPERA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21912, 22 September 1934, Page 14

ROMANTIC OPERA

"DUCHESS OF PANTZIC" SUCCESSFUL PRODUCTION DRAMA OF NAPOLEONIC DAYS With a wealth of dramatic incident, brilliant costuming and delightful music, Ivan Caryll's romantic light opera, "The Duchess of Dantzic," which has only once before been given by amateurs in New Zealand, formed an ideal subject for the first production of the Mnreo Operatic Societv. The premiere in His Majesty's Theatre last evening was notable for the sureness of principals, chorus and ballet alike, while the general staging was on a lavish and spectacular scale. Opening in the disturbed days prior to the taking of the Tuileries and culminating at the height of Napoleon's power, the play abounds in colourful personalities and contains a story which, based on history, is of very considerable dramatic power It traces the careers of some of those earlier associates of Napoleon who were carried upward in the train of his meteoric rise. Chief among these is Catherine Uepscher or "Sans-Gone," who once, as washerwoman to the "Little Corporal," befriended him when his fortunes were at their loAvest ebb, and who later, as the wife of one of his great generals, becomes the Duchess of Dantzic. Work of Principals Thelma Marco brought to this role a vivacity, charm and understanding which dominated the stage. "SansGenc's" bluff good nature and impetuosity never forsake her even in the later years when, in a reversal from Republican simplicity, tlio Court of the First Empire enters upon ostentatious magnificence. It is her very frankness which brings about her disgrace among the jealous ladies of the Court. Throughout the piece she remains charmingly true to type, yet in the final scene, when she bends Napoleon's iron will to hers, she shows her real power and dignity. The part carries with it many beautiful songs, of which the soliloquy, "The Mirror Song," was perhaps the finest.

Mr. J. T. Gibson* as her husband, formerly Sergeant Lefebvre, showed good stage px-esence, and his duets with Catherine were very effective. In portraying such a well-known character as Napoleon, Mr. Ciiffe Bebe was remarkably successful, both in appearance and manner. A pleasing sub-plot deals with the romance between Renee, the Imperial ward, and Adhemar, the adopted child of Catherine. Miss Winifred Hill made a demure Renee and Mr. Rex Sayers a romantic young lieutenant, and they also were provided with several charming duets. Much of the comedy which runs through the play went to the credit of Mr. Peter Dawson as Papillon, the pedlar who becomes the fastidious and self-satisfied "Court Milliner." In a cast of over 30 name parts, there were many delightful characterisations, among them being those of Miss Doris Bransgrove and Miss Joan Moody as the haughty Imperial princesses, Miss Elsie Bell-Booth as Lisette, Miss Freda Evans as the Empress Josephine, Mr. Dudley Wrathall as the Comte de Bethune, and Mr. Fred Walker as Captain Reignicr. Chorus and Orchestra

There was a full chorus, which was responsible for uniformly excellent work, while a special ballet was seen in two attractive dances. "The Fricassee" and "Komantique." In the latter, Miss Mardi Brook appeared as the solo danseuse. The settings' and costumes throughout were very colourful, the most spectacular being the final court scene. An orchestra of 30 players was a featured the production, yet, in spite of its strength, it never obtruded over the voices. It was conducted by Mr. Eric Mareo. who was responsible not only for the musical direction, but for the general production of a most successful performance. The opera will be repeated this afternoon and to-night, and on succeeding evenings.