AMUSEMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14184, 9 April 1908, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS

dunedin operatic society. ; " ERMINIE." \ His Majesty's Thcatro was largely at- ( tended last evening on the occasion of the r production of " Erminie " by the Duucdin j Operatic Society. The ■ comio opera in question is not unknown to Dunedin, being introduced by tho Pollard Lilliputian Opera Company to local playgoers as far back as { 1894. It is not in itself an unquestionably - interesting and attractive composition, tho j musio by Jakobowski beiug very Wight and , pleasing and' tho libretto smart and amus- : ing. Nothing much better in the way of , plot could bo desired. Tho story, founded . on tho supposed adventures of Robert ; Macaire, tho highwayman, is charmingly ; framed, and. abounds -in amusing situations. The interest centres in tho manner in which tho two • thieves Ravannes and Cadeau, having intercepted- and robbed tho "Vicomto de Brissac, suitor intended for the, heroine Erminie, pass themselves off as that worthy and hia companion, an eccentric baron, and in the results of their scheming. Tho situations develop easily and naturally. The Dunodin Opcratio Sooicty can bo complimented on a very successful production of tho work, especially in view of tho fact that thero are always certain difficulties' attending a, first-night performance wider similar circumstances, tho consequences of which are usually eliminated in its successors. Liko many first productions, last evening's performance evinced a tendency to drag at times, and was somewhat unduly elongated. That fault, however, .should bo easily remedied, and will doubtless not bo again noticeable. Tho merits of the production were numerous. It was charmingly staged, a strong chorus did excellent work in its sharo of tho music, and the principals, savo that ono or two lacked briskness in their methods, acquitted themselves to undoubted advantage, the success aohioved. in more than ono case -being notable. Special opportunities' are given the performers who impersonate Ravannes and Cadeau, tho gentlemanly -highwayman and his contrasting associate., Much interest attached to the appearanco of Mr Howard Ycrnon as Ravannes, and the .popular comedian had a very cordial reception.-' He was in his happiest vein in tho part,, a thoroughly effective and delightful Ravannes throughout, and responsibio for a very largo sharo of the' humour of tho opera and'of its success. As Cadeau, Mr W. Hoff, in a vein of broader comedy, cleverly supplemented tho humour of Ravannes, and the audience was kept vastly amused by tho prcscnco of these two choice spirits on the stage. From a musical standpoint quito their most pronounced success was tho duet " Gaol birds of a feather," which was enthusiastically encored. The Operatic Society was fortunate in the inclusion of Miss Rosina Buckmann in the cast in the important rolo of Erminie, of which sho mado a conspicuous success. Miss Buckmann uses her excellent soprano voico to tho best advantage in opera, and acts as well as she sings, which is saying much. The audience was delighted- with her vocal efforts last evening. While all her numbers were charmingly rendered, Miss Buckmann was probably heard to most. advantage of all in a fine interpolated song composed by •Mr Alfred Hill, and suiting her range of voice admirably. " When love -is yo'ung " and "Lullaby" were also very nopular'con-tribut-ions on her part.' As Eugene Marcel, Mr 'Colin Gray sang acceptably in the duet " When lovo is young " and on other occa- , sions; and Mr Frank Murphy, _ as the Marquis, met Ithe musical and histrionic requirements of -his part very satisfactorily. Mr' J. D. Crisp as Captain Delaunay, Mr J, .Walsh© as tho affected Chevalier de Brabazan, Miss E. Clark as the Princess do Gramponeaux, and Miss Ethel Shannon as Cerise filled other parts_of some promincnco adequately; wliilo Miss D. Lichtcnstein was an agreeably bright and animated Javot-tc, and Mr P. Barling, as Simon the waiter, was not lacking in'somewhat ponderous humour, Some of the choruses were particularly enjoyable, whilo the stage picture presented in tho vocal gavotte was ono of the prettiest in the opera, the dance being enthusiastically encorcd. A ballet was also most successfully introduced and very gracefully danced, and was accorded a like flattering reception. The appreciation of the audience was such indeed that recalls were very numerous throughout tho production, tending to prolong it unduly. An excellent orchestra proved well up to tho demands of its work, the baton being wielded, as usual, by Mr Sidney Wolf. " Erminie," as • produced by the Dunedin Opcratio Society, will bo found eminently j enjoyable by lovers of comic opera, -and will bo staged again this evening. MISS LILLIAN MITCHELL'S CONCERT. It was unfortunate that, Miss Lillian Mitchell should have selected last evening 1 for giving her concert. I'irfct the weather proved as bad could well imagined, and second there were attractions of so strong an order tRa-t they must have interfered with the attendance at her concert, Miss Mitchell, who, though not now a resident of New Zealand, is a native cf the Dominion, met with a most flattering roocption on making her first appearance to sing a reeitativo and aria from "Lo Nozzc di Figaro." Miss Mitchell has a soprano voice of good range, and she sings with ease. Another notable feature of her vocalisation is that the articulation is good. Her voico is clear and very penetrating— rather too penetrating for a hall but sparsely oceupied-and its close quality give's it great carrying power, and- leaves no chance of the singer not boing heard at tho. extreme back of tho hall. Her singing of the aria was not her best effort during the evening, but, it met with very decided favour. Miss Mitchell waa considerably more successful in tho Bach-Gounod "Ave Maria," in tho singing of which she had the assistance of violin, piano, and organ. While the performance was not 1 absolutely perfect, thero was much to commend, the item being! given with very fine effect, ' and the resulting encore "thoroughly deserved. Tho pretty little ballad that" followed was attractively sung, but the manner of finishing was not. altogether pleasing. The ballad may he written as sung, but in other in-stances-Miss Mitchell showed a disposition to adopt a.,finish of her own, apparently for the sake of effect-, which was a doubtful improvement. _ " Adelita," with violin obligate, was nicely rendered, and Tosti's " Good-bye". was one of Miss Mitchell's ! best songs. In every instance Miss Mitchell was. recalled, and several tii- ' butes to her singing, in tho shapo of handsome baskets of flowers, were forthcoming. Mr J. A. Wallace's violin solos, " Souvenir de Haydn" and "Zigeunerweiscn," were both well-played—t-hc latter especially, Miss Viola Styles sang "Home song" and "Dream angel," and mot. wi-ti!' very cordial recognition. • Mr Percy James's humorous songs found great favour with the audience, which insisted upon him reappearing several times. A recitation was given by Mr S, H. Osborn, and the Kaikorai Band, under Mr (1, Laidlaw, performed a couple of operatic overtures with marked success. The accompanists were Messrs A. Vallis and R. Bennell. DUNEDIN LIEDERTAFKL. A large and appreciative ardionce _ assembled at tho Art, Gallery lost evening, when the L-icdertafcl submitted its eightyfirst' concert. Despite the inclemency of the weather and tho attractions elsewhere there wore very -few vacant chairs in the hall. The programme opened with Sullivan's " The Beleaguered," admirably rendered !■>' the choir. Mr Ernest T. Lawn followed with Gounod's " She alone charmeth my sudness," and received a furiher call, Mr Lawn's voico has a rare quality of symi pathy and a fine compass. Osgood's "In | Pieardie" was next rendered by the choir. This French pastoral contains some deI ligb.Uul lntrmonies, and the choir did it

full justice. They followed with Sullivan's "The long day closes," and quite caught the semi-rcligjous spirit of t.lic song. Miss F, Barrow, in Tosli's "Yarre Monro,'' go,ve a .sympathetic interpretation of the maestro's work, and in response to continued applause rendered a very charming little ."sleep" (song: Giro Pinsuti's "In this hour of softened (splendour," by a quartet of brass instrumentalists from t.ie Kaikorai Band, under the conduetorship of Mr G. B. Laidfow, followed, and was heartily applauded. Daro-.Tanin's "King of worlds, rendered by the choir, eoneluded the first portion of the programme. In part 11, Handel^" The Lord is a man of war," though written by the composer as a duot, was finely interpreted by the full choir, following the late Sir Joseph 'Barnby's custom at tho Albert Hall. Mr K. Falck's rendering of Jude's "Tho Better Land" was an artistic piece of work, Mr M'Kcchnio emphasieirig tho harmonies of this beautiful song bv a sympathetic obligato on the violin, Mr Falck afterwards giving a humorous Irish song as an encore. After another charming glee by tho ohoir, " Come in the stilly night," by Wendler, Mr Osborn recitcd Byron's "T'ie Field of Waterloo " with much power. Ho ia an elocutionist of no mean order, and deserved tho encore he received. " Moonrise," by Pache, a part song, followed, and then Miss Barron gave " Till I wake " and " Tho star and the flower " very sympathetically and sweetly. Tho programme ended with a musical rendering of tho late Edward. Lear's " The owl and tho pussycat," by De Koven, the catchy air of which and its interpretation were eminently pleasing. Altogether tho concert was a. great success. Tho hunting melodies will long charm tile ears of those who were privileged to hear them. .Mr Jesse Timson conducted very ably, whilo Mr W. E. Taylor, F.R.C.0., accompanied as only a real musician can. PRINCESS THEATRE. ; Despite the -inclemcncy of _ the' Readier and strong counter-attractions, Messrs Fuller contrived to fill tho Princess Theatre last evening. The programme this week is a,n exceptionally good one, and is contributed to.by a'very strong combination of artiste, including Graham.and Dent, Watts and '• Lucas, the Lucas Sisters, Carl Bra-sso, Fred Bransgrove, tho Prices, Blancho Carrelli, T. Bryant, and Bob Lloyd. PERRY'S BIOR-AMA COMPANY. Perry's Biorama. Company will appear again to-night at tho Garrison Hall, when the first section of the coraio singing competition will be taken. CONCERT AT dIAVERSHAM. A concert, by the proceeds • of which the Caversham Presbyterian Church Repairs Firnd will benefit considerably, was held in tho Church Hall last evening. Mr T. K. Sidey, M.P., pecupied tho chair, and despite the unfavourable weather, tho building'was well filled. Tho programme was an excellent one, and included vocal items by the following: —Mesdames Forbes-Williams, Loring, and W. Speight; Messrs W. H. Mackenzie, Percy James, and Salter. Miss Dutton contributed ' a Recitation, and" Mr M'Laan a; cornet solo. Miss Hartley acted as accompanist. Encores were frequent and well-deserved,, and Hie concert was unanimously voted a great success.