ENTERTAINMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4440, 21 August 1901, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS

MUSGROVE OPERA COMPANY. “MARITA NAP’ Tho favourite opera of “Maritana,” was produced by the Musgrovo Company last night. Tho company’s Wellington season is now almost half-way through. From the size of the audience yesterday evening, it is pretty safe to predict that the season will end as prosperously ns it has continued so far. There was a very large crowd anxious to renew acciuaintance with Vincent Wallace’s work and particularly with tho numerous well-known numbers which it contains. No one can have been disappointed, for tho gems were all adequately snug. And in regard to the mounting and dressing of the opera, there was a completeness that was calculated to satisfy the most captions of patrons. Miss Lillian Coomber, in the name part, distinguished herself by her singing, which was of even quality, of full volume, and at times marked by brilliancy. Like the othr principals, she frequently won very hearty applause from all parts of the theatre. Signor Umberto Salvi carried the part of Don Caesar in a light and easy wav that was quite appropriate. The volatility which he infused into his impersonation of the careless hot-headed grandee was responsible for much mem meat. The tenor was in excellent voice, and he was encored for his singing of “Lot me like a soldier fall,” which was given in a highly inspiriting style, and re. ceivod with a gale of applause. It was perhaps in the duet Tvith Maritnna in the last act that Signor Salvi did best. Throughout he showed that he was experienced in the part, which suited him m all respects. Miss Agnes Janson was not a boyish I.azarillo, but if the eye was not satisfied the ear was so thoroughly charmed that the account was more than balanced. One of the ovations of the evening was that accorded to Miss Janson for her telling and expressive singing of “Alas, those Chimes,” a portion of which had to he repeated. Mr Laurence Moon, ey, as Don Joss, also secured an ovation and an encore with “Ho, My Courage.’’ He was called upon for a repetition for,an over-passionate interpretation of “InHanpy Moments.” As the King of Spain, honest work was done by Mr Charles Tilbury. Tfie part-singing of the chorus was admirable in the Angelns scene and in the ball-room scene. The spectacle in the grand saloon was extremely fine, while tho ilortnne-telllng scene and the duel incident could not have been made more lively and exciting than they were. The stage settings for the market square and the interior nt tho Villa di Montefiovi were distinct snccesaeß_ from an artistic and scenic point of view. “.TANNHAUSER.” To-night there will be the event of the season* in the production of Wagner’s “Tannhauser.” During His stay in Paris Wagner became acquainted with the story of Tannhauser, the knightly singer who tarried in the mountain of Venus. He was at once attracted by its dramatic scope, and thereon based his poem of “Tannhau“er und Dor Sangerkrieg anf der Wartburg.’’ The music He finished Hy the end of 1844. Tho fundamental idea is the self surrendering and redeeming love of a pure woman, which in death releases the hero. A similar motive inspired Wagner’s preceding effort “The Plying Dutchman,” but its expression in “Tannhauser” marked a decided advance both from a dramatic and musi. cal point of view. The character of Tannhauser represents in its large typical features one of the deepest problems of human nature. It stands boldly forth from, the chiaroscuro of its romantic surroundings. The abundance of melodious strains in the opera has perhaps contribu. ted more to the spreading of Wagner’s name than any of his other works, but there are merits of an infinitely higher type in the score. The overture is a masterpiece. It foreshadows the keynote of the drama itself, the victory of good over evil, the former represented by the solemn strains of the Pilgrim’s chorus, the latter by the sensuous melodies which accompany the joys and amours of the Venusberg. Again the magnificent finale of the second act is a marvel of design, while Tannhanser’s narration in the final scene is pre-eminent as regards force and impressiveness of declamation.

The Gaiety Company presented another bright and amusing programme to its numerous patrons last, night, the Haytors and Professor Almond, the dancing exnert, especially meeting with enthusiastic. receptions. To-night the firstnamed trio will appear in “She would Sing.” an intensely funny sketch. There was a fair house at the Exchange Hall last night, in spite of the inclemency of tho weather, when tho Dunbar VarietyCompany repeated the hill for the week. An Irish jig competition caused much amusement. To-night there will be a' Highland fling contest.