"LES CLOCHES DE CORNEVILLE.”

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 7947, 2 December 1886, Page 5

"LES CLOCHES DE CORNEVILLE.”

The success which attended the recent production by a number of amateurs of “Patience,” induced the ladies and gentlemen who took part in that performance to organise another, Plaucjuette’a tuneful comic opera “ Lea Cloches deCorneville ” being the piece aeleo’ed for the second effort. On Monday night this opera was produced at St, P eter’s schoolroom by the newly-formed Wellington Amateur Operatic Company, The parts were tilled by almost the came ladies and gentlemen who took part in “Patience,” and although “ Les Cloches de Corneville” is a more ambitions effort than the other opera, the performance may be regardsd as a great success, for both acting and singing were admirable. The attendance, unfortunately, was not large, owing no doubt to the unfavorable state of the weather. The performers were also placed at a disadvantage by the smallness of the stage, which involved unpleasant cramping, and destroyed a great amount of effect. Decidedly one of the features of this production is the capital manner in which the piece is staged. Some excellent scenery had been expressly painted by MrF. W. Bryant, C.E, one of the members of the Society; and that gentleman is certainly entitled to great praise for the excellent manner in which he has carried out his work. The opening scene, with the chateau of Corneville represented on a height overlooking a harbor in which vessels are riding at anchor, iworthy ot special mention. Mr A. P. Mason deserves a word of praise for his mounting of several of the scenes. Miss Parkes enacted the character of Serpolette, and achieved a success. She invested the part with an amount of vivacity rare among lady amateurs, and sang the numbers allotted to her beautifully, the most successful being the rondo “I be Princess, leastways Madam,” which well deserved an encore. Miss Young made an excellent Germaine, and for her singing of the “Legend of the Bells” was deservedly applauded. Four small parts were well filled by Mias Watson, Mias C, Letham, Miss A. Letham, and Miss B, Smith. In Gaspard, the miser, around whom the greater part of the plot centres, Mr H. E. Nioholla bad a part which it is not easy for either amateur or professional to play well, but his performance of it was really an admirable one. In the second act Mr Nioholla was particularly good, and he received a well deserved call; but all through the old miser was admirably portrayed, and Mr Nioholla’ must be regarded as one ot the best amateur efforts ever seen in Wellington. Mr Roads Marquis was a powerful representation, and “To mo no stranger” was capitally sung, although the recitative and air “ Nay, no phantom they ” was apparently rather heavy forthe singer. Mr E. J. Hill’s Grenioheux was one ot the features of the performance, the acting being spirited and the singing very fine. The best of Mr Hill’s solos, and, indeed, the gem of the evening, was the solo, “That night I’ll ne’er forget,” which received an enthusiastic encore. Mr W. R. Book, as the Bailee, and Mr E, N. Campbell supplied the comic element, which was of the best and funniest, Mr Campbell being recalled for his capital exit in the last aot. The performance, as we have said, was a capital one, and one of the brightest features of it was the excellence of the chorus singing, which was at once pleasant and strong. The “Housemaid’s song,” for instance, was given in a style which would be creditable to any professional chorus. The “ make-ups ”as a rale were good, although a leas indiscriminate use of color would in one or two instances have been an improvement. A capital orchestra was under the conduotorship of Mr Hautrie West, with Master A. Hill as loader.