MR CLUTSAM AGAIN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16942, 2 March 1917, Page 2

MR CLUTSAM AGAIN

7 A SUCCESSFUL OPERA.

FLATTERING COMMENT.

(Fnoai Oxm' Own CottEESPONDEHi.) LONDON, December 29. The Now Zealand oomposer, Mr Gdorge H. Clutsam, is again before the public in a very flattering light as collaborator with Captain Herbert Bath in the music of a new light opera, "Young England," at Daly's Theatre The Daily Mail, writes: "Tho music of I Young , England' is a decided advance in tho direction of genuine light opera as distinct from tho more or less musical entertainments of recent years. While it is primarily, and rightly, conceived hi a popular idiom, it is written with much more musicianly care thai has hitherto been tho rule. Of the composers, Mr Hubert Bath most successfully captured the real twang of English tune, while Mr George Clutsam inclines more towards the hybrid melody of cosmopolitan origin, but they frequently overlap, and the collaboration has proved so successful that without the guidance of tho book of words one would often guess wrong. The concerted numbers in - particular establish the claim of the production to rank as opera." Tho Daily News: "All who have tho best interests of British music at heart will hope that ' Young England' will be a triumphant success, as it deserves to be." The music is as ■ good as anything of the kind there has been since tho days of Arthur Sullivan. It is fresh, melodious, and full of life, and the workmanship is admirable. It is last, not least, thoroughly English, in the eighteenth century English spirit, be it understood. Mr Bath has supplied the youthful vigour, and Mr Clutsam tho tenderer lyrics, and each supplements the other:"

The Observer says: "After witnessing a performance of tho new light opera, • Young , England,' those of us who have for long hoped for a turn of the tide in taste from tile ragtime revue and its perpetual nonsense to the infinitely ntorrj wholesome and more truly humorous light opera form, may, indeed, take heart of grace and hope for tho best. 'Young England ' is very nearly genuine opera comiquc. The music is on a level far above that in vogue in recent English musical productions. Mr Clutsam has privided here some of his very best music. The duet, tho delicious quartet, and more especially such ensembles at the finales, show a real command of all tho resources that go to make a .composer : variety of rhythm, a gift of fresh melody, end a mastery of technical resource among them. With two composers bo adr mirably equipped, it seems, ridiculous. ■Jttat any return shall ever be made in oar theatres to the bad old days of imported light opera, save and except only when a genuine masterpiece occurs from which . something may bo learnt." The Daily Telegraph: "Between them Messrs Clutsam and Bath fairly divide the honours, alike •in respect of quantity and quality. Only once or twice has Mr Clutsam discarded, as it were, -the mantle of the period—and with charming grace he does so. On the other hand, the epirit of 'young, fresh England' is reflected with a sure touch jn his expressively written duet for Botty and Joan, as in the jolly quartet, ' There Were Two Sailors,' and rightly rriay the composer plume himself on his admirable finale to tho first act, and on such things as Oxenham's song in praise of England and Courtenay's little gem of a ballad, "The April of, My Heart'—a song that Sullivan himself would have been proud to sign.'.' ■ . ■ ■ i