THE Lorcnette

Observer, Volume XVI, Issue 925, 19 September 1896, Page 14

THE Lorcnette

Just a word to remind my readers of the concerts or recitals to be given by Herr Kontski, pianist to the Emperor of Germany, on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings of next week. Herr Kontski is said to be the only living pupil of Beethoven, and bears the reputation of being a wonderfully clever artiste.

Pollard's Comic Opera Company is playing to very good business just now at Abbott's Opera House. The season commenced on Wednesday evening of last week with ' Paol Jones,' which was admirably produced, and which gave place on Saturday night to 'The Gondoliers.' This was in torn followed by ' The Black Cloaks,' and the company has in reserve a lengthy repertoire of popular comic operas, in all of -which they have achieved a considerable degree of success, besides the burlesques of ' Aladdin ' and ' The Forty Thieves,' and the dramas ' Unsle Tom's Cabin ' and 'Ten Nights in a Bar Room.' Indeed, there are in all twenty-four pieces in the repertoire. ' Paul Jones ' was an exceptionally good productiou, and in it first honours unquestionably fell to Miss Marion Mitchell, whose character suited her admirably, and who sang the music of her part charmingly. Miss Maude Be*tty was the ' Paul Jones,' and also did remarkably well, while her aister and Miss Metcalfe were both worthy of exceptional mention. There was more public interest in ' m he Gondoliers,' which, by the way, is the piece to be performed by the Auckland Opera Club shortly. It was one of the best productions of comic opera by this company that we have seen. Misses Marion Mitchell and Maud Beatty filled the roles of Marco and Guiseppe respectively with much cleverness, irue, Miss Mitchell was not heard to so much advantage as in ' Paul * Jones,' but she fully redeemed her reputation by her rendition of the solo, ' Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes.' Miss Mitchell is a very clever little actress, and has a good professional future before her. Miss Maud Beatty was good in her vocal numbers, and played the part of Guiseppe with grace and talent. But it was to her sister, Miss May Beatty, that the vocal honours of the performance were due. Her impersonation of Gianetta was very clever, and her solo, ' Kind Sir, You Cannot Have the Heart,' was the best thing of the even ing. Miss Lily Stephen, as Tessa, is a piquant little actress, and sings her solo music creditably, but goes to pieces altogether in her concerted music. The same remark applies to Miss Hewson, the Casilda, wnose voice is a sympathetic one of good quality, and is heard to best advantage in the solo numbers. Mr Quealy as Don Alhambra and Mr Stephens as the Dnke were both good, the former getting an encore for his 'No Possible Doubt Whatever.' Miss Nellie Wilßon made a first-class Luiz, as she always does, while her singing was very creditable. Taking these two productions aB a criterion, the Pollard Opera Company as at present constituted is a very good one. The young people are all admirably and artistically trained, and in their posing and dancing are far ahead of the average run of adult artistes. Frequent changes of programme are announced. ' The Black Cloaks ' is underlined for to-night (Thursday), 'La Mascotte ' for Friday, and 'Rip Van "Winkle ' for Saturday. M. Ovide Musin, the famous violinist, made his re-appearance at the City Hall on Tuesday evening in conjunction with Madame Annie Louise Tanner-Musin, soprano vocalist, and Herr Eduard Schaif, solo piauist. There was a very fair attendance, and the talented artistes comprising the company were accorded an enthusiastic welcome. M. Musin was the lion of the evening. He is truly a gifted ■violinist, possessing great power of execution, and the soul of au artiste. His several numbers were delightfully rendered, charming the senses of the audience, and arousing them to a high pitch of enthusiasm. Herr Scharf proved himself to be a highly capable and clever pianist, while Madame Mnsin was also successful in her several numbers. A second was to be given on Wednesday night.