GONSALEZ GRAND OPERA SEASON.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 14195, 12 January 1917, Page 4

GONSALEZ GRAND OPERA SEASON.

Great interest is being evinced in the appearance at the, Opsi-a House on Monday a#xd Tuesda^' iiesit of th,e famous GonWez Grand Opera Company. The opening opera "II Troyatore," -n-ill be doubtless warmly welcomed, as it will show this splendidly .capable company at their'best. The Sydney Sun writes of the production as follows : "The romance .of moonlight, and music brought .the 'benediction of society ori the Grand. Grand Opera House by the production of *V*ei*di's evergreen ina-terpiece "11 Troyatore." After an interval, of many yearsY Italian operaYreal " Italian op««*a — returned to the city, that is, Italian' Opera sung by a cast exclusively from Italy, a chorus for the most part composed of Italians, and conducted by -a musician steeped /in the traditions of Verdi a<ud,hia-kind. Tliat melody stillholds the affections of the general public, as was proved by the overwhelmingly triumphant reception, the opera received. The ..great assemblage stamped, applauded, and roared itself hoarse/ after each of the well -known airs and con- ; certed movements, and the artiste 'gave way to thC whim of their auditors. "Di Liina" . repeated every note of his 'Tl BalenY'serenade ; Manrico had to again* fcing the "di quella Pirrsa" down to the final high'C, and later to join hands, with the despairing Leonora, and\ bow acknowledgemea'.vs to the Irantic plaudits coming from tlie other side, of the footlights, "It is this- identical trio of artists associated with a fine "Azucena" mfi -a remarkable bass in "Ferreitte" that will be principally - responsible for tho representation of tho opera here. The cast is a. strong one without doubt, and- includes fcvignorina. De Revers (Leonora), Signorina Rusa (Azucena)-, l&ignor Cappellj ("Staiirico), Signor ScamuzKi. (Oonte de J.una), Signor BaroritinY(Ruit7.). The director of the orchestra is Signor Giovanni Gonsalez, reputetl' to be one of the world's greatest conductors. Another- -fine artist -is Signor " Gacialli (Fernando). The orchestra' CQijsists of 30-ins.trnments, the string qiialitv being, it is -said, excep-tionally-good: "II Trovatore" will' be given oil Monday next and Avill be followed \by "Oavalleria Ivusticaiia" and "1 Pagliacci" on Tuesday. "Mascagni's wonderful opera ''Gavalleria. Rusticana." will follow ''II Trovatore'' on Tuesday night, and will itseit loe followed the "same evening by Leoncavallo's famous work "I Pagliacci," both .of which will be seen and heard? for ; the first time here. The story ot "Oavalleria Rusticana" is fairly well known. Tlie opera 'will introduce a new tenor in Signor Vittorio Lois. In ' '1' Pagliacci," each phase of the story is made plain from the moment when "Cano" learns of the proposed elopement of .his wife, . through the musical tragedy of love and jealousy wherein '•'Ganio" playa with a strange increasing intensity. As "Canio" Signor Balboni is said to be immensely fine. The season is for two nights only, ihe company leaving for "Napier after the performance on Tuesday next. The Cox plans were opened at Miller's this morning.