MUSCROVE'S OPERA COMPANY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13498, 13 August 1907, Page 7

MUSCROVE'S OPERA COMPANY.

LOHENGRIN. There was a' large attendance at the Theatre Royal last night, when Lohengrin was staged by Musgrove's Grand Opera Company. The play, by .Richard Wagner, is a tale of the tenth century. The story is told in four acts. It arises out of t}ie wrongful desire, of Frederic!: df Telramund (Count' of Brabafct) «nd his wife, Ortrude; to obtain ,the estates left by a certain duke to his children, Godfrey and Elsa. The .'Sorceress, Ortrude, changes Godfrey into a swan, and as he has disappeared without leaving any trace,nis sistef fiUa is accused by Frederick of ' i&urdering him. Elsa denies this bef6r«r the' King, who "at onee 1 decides to try the case. Frederick states his case 1 ; and says he is prepared to fight with anyone who may come forward as Elsa's champion. The heralds sound the news abroad that, a champion for .Elsa is wanted. Presently a knight, standing in a boat drawn by a stately swan, is seen', approaching. The knight lands from tne boat, ana* in a : very pretty song bids the swan adieu. The fight takes places, and to the surprise of all the nobles Frederick falls before his unknown antagonist., Surprised they are, because Frederick' was regarded as a just man; and now he is, by heaven's decree, shown to be false. The beautiful Elsa throwns herself at her champion's feet and says her life. is at his disposal. They decide to wed, and preparations are made for the ceremony to be held on the- morrow. During the night, ortrude and Frederick sit up plotting against the hero and his love. The following day they cause several "scenes" by endeavouring to interfere with the wedding- ceremony, for if Elsa and Lohengrin wed, the possessions will become Lohengrin's. The wedding takes place. Frederick attacks the pair in the anteroom of the bridal chamber, and is slain tyy Lohengrin with one mighty blow. Next 4ay Orjtrude basely persuades Elsa to ask of Lohengrin the secrets of his name, home, and family. Elsa promised before the fight that she would not, biit, yielding to persuasion, does. Lohengrin tells his name and that he is the son of King Percival, the keeper of the **Holy Gjail." The Grail is a mysteriqns cap, and to it Lohengrin is indebted fpr his invincible power. After telling his story Lohengrin says that he must leave now that his name is known. The swan is seen returning, drawing the bsoat. Lohengrin removes the chain from the neck of the swan, and in its place appears Elsa's lost brother. At the sight Ortrude drops dead ; Elsa . is delighted, and for the. moment forgets everything in her joy. Then looking around for Lohengrin, she sees him in fjhe distance. Crying out, "My husband! my Husband,,!" she sinks lifeless to the ground. } The part of Lohengrin was very ably filled by Karl Studcmund, who has a ] sweet, velvety tenor voice that wins for j him round after round of applause. J Sara Anderson as Elsa of Brabant has, a very heavy role, which she fills admirably. Her acting is certainly the finest in the .whole company, Julius Runger made a-'very detestable Frederick, and carried out his unpleasant part well, as also djd, Johanna. Heinze as Ortrude. Fritz Rupp was splendid as the King's Herald. Hans Mawhinkel was acceptable as King Henry of Germany. The dresses ranged from the very simple to the" superbly rich, and some fine spectacles were made by the glittering costumes. The closing scene in the first act was magnificent. It was just after the fight, and Lohengrin and Elsa were faisea oh high, while 60 or 70 gaily dressed members of the company feted them in a very powerful chorus. In the balcony scene in the second act Elsa looked beautiful. Her solo on this occa-sipii-was hei; best; The choruses were all gobel, but none superior to that at the opening of the third act, when the sweet voices of the Australian girls were heard to good advantage. The orchestral music was a treat.