LA FILLE DU TAMBOUR MAJOR."

Otago Witness, Issue 2902, 27 October 1909, Page 68

LA FILLE DU TAMBOUR MAJOR. "

The Dunedin Operatic Society will on Wednesday, '3, at His Majesty's Theatre, produce the above-named old-time favourite. It is a quaint, spectacular, military comic opera, calculated to show to. advantage any company boasting intelligent stage management, and including actors as well as vocalists- in its ranks": In con-i struction and sentiment it i 6 considerably above the average standard; its music is undoubtedly tuneful, its dialogue humorous, and its scenery irarkedly . effective.". The opera celebrated its premiere at the Opera Ctomique, Paris'," in- the early part of 1879; and was reproduced in London during the same year — just prior to the death of its composer, Jacques Offewbach. It is his most popular work, and Was presented as an ojriginal Australian {number at the old Opera Houses MelbourneV" by- Mr George Musgrove — as one of his first speculations following his return from Ertgland-ron Boxing Night, 1880. Offenbach's • music instantly caught on,, and culminated in a lun of IQS nights — a record for opera bouffe in Australia. The eingular success of the production \9fts such as to secure a. large measure of interest and attraction in any revival. By arrangement with Messrs Williamson, Garner,^ and Musgrove^ the "Tambour Major" Opera Company, headed by Mr Howard Vernon, first produced the opera in Dunedm in February, 1883. Miss Elsa May was Stell* ; Florence Lewis, the Duchess; Blanche Lewis, Claudine; Olive Verne, the Abbess; Addy Cappy, Teresa and Lorenza; Fanny Liddiard, Griolet: Mr I. Drayton. Captain Roberts; Fred Dark, Le Due Delia Volta; C. Burt, Bambini*; R. Skinner. Champus ; A. Fairfax,' - Major Domo Favas; Antonio and Monthabor. Howard Vernon.' The opera was revived in Dunedin in 1884, and in 1896 (twice). In 1906 Mr William Anderson organised in Melbourne a strong company of singers to appear in a revival of the work, and it was produced with great success in Sydney. This company was booked to appear in New Zealand in September, 19.06, but the venture was considered by the management to be too expensive to travel, and the season in Maoiiland was reluctantly abandoned. A great deal of the mountings and dressings used in that production have been secured by the local society. The Dunedin Operatic Society has had the opera in constant rehearsal for some four months, and at present is rehearsing four and five nights per week. Mr Laidlaw, the musical conductor, has an orchestra > which he claims to -be 1 the finest theatrical orchestra rieard in Dunedin outside- of grand "opera. Every stick of the 'scenery is entirely new, and specially painted for the opera by Mr Reuben Cole. The- costumes . will be those used in William Anderson's expensive production in 1906. The last scene of the third act will be one to remember. A brass band comes on the stage, and every-, thing is a blaze of colour. The society is staging an opera on this occasion, which will give everyone, in it full scope for the display _of his or her talents, and the public •will not be slow to- recognise a first-class performance. Miss Helen Gardner plays the principal soprano part, Stella. Miss Florence Pacey essays the part of Griolet. the drummer boy ; Mrs Reggiardo is cast for +!ba Ducheiifi: M-ss Dorothy Gaa-d'nea, Claudine; Mr Binnie. Captain Roberts; Mr J E. Walehe. the Duke; Mr G. Munro, T»mijour Major f Mr «T. Brennan, Bambini ; Miss Elsie Clark, the Abbess; and Mr D. M'Kenzie, Champus.