“CARMEN”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22296, 23 June 1934, Page 10

“CARMEN”

The consummation of the efforts of the Dunedin Grand Opera Club will he witnessed at His Majesty’s Theatre on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and batnrday evenings of the coming week, when Bizet s sparkling and arresting “ Carmen' will be presented bv a company which possesses undoubted ability. For its soloists tlie club has on this occasion secured tne best available talent. Two Christchurch soloists, Miss Grace Nixon and Mr Hubert Carter, will fill the roles of Carmen and Don dose respectively. Miss Nixon is an experienced actress and dancei, and with these factors to supplement a line contralto voice, the success of her woiU . is assured. Few in New Zealand have 1 had more experience in opera than air 1 Hubert Carter, and as well as Ins voen. powers be will bring an intimate knowledge to bear on his interpretation. \ ery shortly Mr Carter is leaving for Fngland, so Dunedin is fortunate in having the ; opportunity of seeing a farewell perionnanec in such an opera. Mr Artmir Macdonald has just the voice and personality to infuse the famous “ Bong of the toreador ” and other numbers allotted to Escamillo with the zest and abandon required. For the part ot Micaela. the club has two promising shmers in Misses Beth Ritchie and Betty I'ocock. They ■ will share the role over the season ana ' the minor parts have been entrusted to ' (lie following;—Frnsquita, Misses Madge Tuekwell ami Estelle Burmird; Mercedes, Miss Edith Clare and AI rs Alex. M’Cart--1 pev: Kcmandado, Messrs E. Fans and R. C.MTAulane; Daneniro. Mr Jack Gordon; Zuniga, Mr W. A. Finneys Morales. Messrs Graeme M'Kinlay and Charles Williams. “Carmen” will be sung in English and no effort has been spared to ensure the most effective staging of the opera and costuming of those taking part Both chorus and orchestra have heavy tasks ahead, but recent rehearsals have been more than satisfactory* This opera has some splendid concerted passages and the club is making the most of them under the musical directorship of Mr Alfred Walmsley. The box plan is now open at Begg’s and the opera on each evening will commence at 7.45 sharp.