“MERRIE ENGLAND”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21710, 30 July 1932, Page 21

“MERRIE ENGLAND”

On Monday, August 8, in the Town Hall Concert Chamber. Mr John i. Leech’s Lyric Choi r and orchestra will present Edward German’s charming opera, “ Merrie England.” As the title suggests, this delightful work is redolent of all that is most characteristic of Old England, the spirit of those times is caught in the work, and the characters of the great Queen Elizabeth, Sir Walter Raleigh, the Earl of Essex, Friar Tuck, Little John, and Robin Hood and his maid Marion, are all brought back in exquisite musical settings. The majestic “ Long Live Elizabeth,” the beautiful diminuendos m «0 Peaceful England.” and the stirring “Yeoman of England,” leave lasting impressions. Episodes of_ lighter and more humorous nature are introduced in the four “ Men of Windsor, ’in The Sun in- the Heaven is High,’ and When Cupid First This Old World Trod.’ The soloists are, Misses Noni Davidson (Bessie). Miss Helen Roy (Jill), Miss Maude Kenward (Queen Elizabeth), Mr A. Walmsley (Raleigh), Mr L. Harrison Stubbs (Essex), Mr William Ruffe 1 (Long Tom), and the four men of Windsor are Messrs William Ruffell, J. T. Ferguson, Howie Andrew, and D. M Neil. The choir will have the support of a fine concert orchestra with Mr Wallace as leader. The opera will be directed by Mr John T. Leech.