AMUSEMENTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13937, 24 June 1909, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

'•'THK MKRRV WIDOW." Box-plans for the performance announced for Monday, 28th J line, of the •Merry Widow" hv Mr .J. C. Williamson's i'oval Comic Opera C. will open this morning at 'the Dresden, when a very brisk demand for seats is anticipated from the enormous inquiries received from town and country district-;. which prove that quite an unusual interest has been aroused by the coming advent of this justly (unions company, and the production of a play that has probably created a greater sensation than any other work ol its kind throughout the civilised world The Royal Comic Opera Company organised over 2o years ago by Mr J. C. Williamson has become all institution in Australia owing to the unvarying standard of excellence which has oeen sustained through all the changes and vicissitudes of that long period, and the vists paid to New Zealand by this powerful combination are all too few and far between, so that their highly appreciated seasons are events of some importance in theatrical circles. On this occasion the season is of unusual importance in that it will serve to introduce ail opera of which we have heard so much; for during the past two years tbe press has devoted unusual space in its dramatic columns to accounts of the astounding triumphs wliich have crowned the career of the "Merry Widow" in practically all countries and languages. There is not one country in Eurojie in which this opera has not been played in the native language, and there is not on record one exception to the phenomenal success which has attended its endless productions. It is stated that since the initial production of the piece something over (iIM) leading actresses have played the title role. It- was in Vienna where the composer (then a military bandmaster) first submitted his work for public approval, probably never dreaming that within tbe short space of two years his name would he known throughout the' world and that he would be one of the most wealthy living composers.