WANGANUI THEATRICAL NOTES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1678, 27 April 1904, Page 57

WANGANUI THEATRICAL NOTES.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) Since my last notes we have had visits from Abbott's Opera Company, th® Ros na Buckman Company, and Herr AL Fnedentlial. The pieces presented by the Abbot Company were “Gaiety Girl" anil “In Town.” A splendid house greeted the first named but were somewhat The want of a capable orchestra, was" intensely felt, and the fine work of Mr Fred Graham as Dr. Bvierly, ably supported by some of the impersonators of smaller parts, did not suffice t® lift the feeling of depression. The attendance on the second night, when “In Town” was presented was small, but the work of the company was on the whole of a decidedly better character than on the previous evening. 'With a conductor of the ability and reputation of Mr Slapoffski it is a pity the management does not see its way to engage a few competent instrumentalists. Miss Buckman-s concert may be pronounced an artistic success. Miss Buckman possesses a soprano voice of good range which she controls with skill and refinement. Her singing of Gounod’s “King of Thule” was, admirable. Weber’s great song “Softly Sighs” was sung rather faster than it is usually rendered, and the increase of speed tended to detract from an otherwise brilliant performance. Mr H. Hodges was in excellent voice. Since, last in Wanganui he shows an occasional tendency to exaggeration and straining after effect, but nevertheless his singing gave a great deal of pleasure to his audience. The two principal art’sts were well supported by Mrs Queree (piano), Miss Clarice Buckman, and Mr Poore, a competent flautist. O'n Monday last Herr Erledentlial gave hie first recital in Wanganui. Amateur* have .anticipated this event with expectations of something quite phenomenal, and were delighted with a really fine performance of a varied programme. The first movement of Beethoven’s C minor sonata, the four Cliopin numbers, and the L’szt rhapsodie were especially good. The performer played a composition of his own “depicting a wayside inn in Hungary.” This nonsensical stuff was entirely ont of place in such a programme. The local Liedertafel is? rehearsing diligently for its next concert, otherwise the musical outlook is void of interest.