THE Social Sphere Musgrove's Grand Opera Company.

Observer, Volume XXVII, Issue 45, 27 July 1907, Page 8

THE Social Sphere

Musgrove's Grand Opera Company.

By Muriel

THE annual benefit evening, arranged by the ladies committee of the Society tor the Protection of Women and Children and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals this year, took the form of a progressive bridge and euchre party. The function was held on Thursday evening in the Choral Hall, the main floor of which was filled with euchre players, seventy tables being arranged. The bridge tabU'-s, thirty in number, were in the north anteroom, apart from the noise and distraction of the euchre enthusiasts. Mrs Deyore was in charge of the euchre tables, and with her assistants carried out their difficult work admirably. Mrs Alexander managed the bridge tournament splendidly, and Mrs Benjamin superintended the excellent slipper arrangements. The tables were arranged the whole length of the room, and were presided over by a number of ladies, who dispensed tea anJ coffee, which the gentlemen handed round, thus avoiding the crush which often takes place.

At the close of the competitions the prizes were gracefully presented by Mrs Devore, president of tins ladies' committee. The bridge prizes, a silver sweets dish and Japanese vase, were respectively won by Mdlle. Coehe and Miss Kissling, and the gentleman's, a bridge outfit, by Mr Walker. The euchre prizes, a silver-backed hair-brush and pair of silver vases, were respectively won by Miss F. Bock and Mrs J. G. Culpan, and the gentlemen's, a silver-mounted Morocco cigarette case and picture, were presented to Mr H. Munro Clark and Mr J. Simnis, first and second. A short programme of dances, the excellent music for which was gratxiitously supplied by Messrs Marriage and Armiger, concluded a most successful and enjoyable evening, which is expected to benefit the funds of the Society to the extent of nearly sixty pounds. Miss Porter and Mr H. Wilding, representing the Society, were present through out the evening.

Mrs Devore wore a handsome black evening dress ; MYs A. M. Myers was gracefully attired in black and white striped silk, silver tissue scarf ; Mrs Alfred Nathan, handsome black gown relieved with white ; Mrs Louis Myers, rich black silk gown ; Mrs Benjamin woro black ; Mrs Peyton, black silk ; Mrs A. Tayler, pale blue floral muslin ; Mrs J. MeK. Geddes, black, and long evening coat ; Miss Geddes, white silk, and white satin coat ; Mrs C. Brown, pretty creme dress ; Miss Kelly, black, relieved witn lace ; Mrs (Dr.) Grant, gown of pale blue crepe de chine ; Mrs Lyons, creme silk, and lace dress ; Miss Devore, black crepe de chine ; her sister wore white silk ; Miss Nathan, pretty pale blue dress ; Mrs C. M.' Nelson, black brocade, and long evening coat ; Mrs Coleman, handsome black gown, the bodice relieved wita white ; Misses Binney wore white frocks ; Miss Keogh, poppy red silk gown ; Miss Nelson, pink satin ; Miss*-P: Gdrriey yelW silk ; Mrs Ra^nger, black gown, and long eve ling coat ; Miss Cohen, smart emerald green silk gown ; Mrs Mahoney, white silk blouse, black silk skirt, aitd handsome long coat of pale blue Shantung silk ; Misses Simson, black silk, relieved, with pale blue, and pink satin gowns respectively : Misses Connolly, white silk dresses, and long evening coats ; Miss Bock, black gown. * * *

Mrs J. M. Dargaville, handsomo ,blp,ok gown ; Miss Dargaville, pale .'blue- crepe de chine ; Mrs Lundon, black silk ; Miss Lundon, pale green, ■ trimmed mtb vfelvet ? Mis A,

Weatherilt, black taffeta silk gown • Miss Carlaw, pretty white silk ; Mrs Ralph, black gown, and long evening coat ; Miss Marie Ralph, pale blue taffeta silk ; Miss Ada Ralph, pale pink taffeta silk frock ; Miss Crawford (Gisborne), yellow satin gown ; Mrs Littler, black silk ; Mrs Foster, black silk, and long crimson coat ; Mrs Matthews, black silk skirt, yellow silk blouse ; her daughters wore pretty light dresses ; Miss Irwin, dainty creme silk ; Mrs Black, pretty creme gown ; Mrs Upfill wore creme ; Mrs I. Alexander was handsomely gowned in black ; Mrs E. R. Davis, pretty pale blue taffeta silk ; Mrs Houghton, handsome silk gown ; Miss Kissling, creme crepe de chine frock ; Mrs Huddlestone, dainty white taffeta silk ; Miss Ledingham, black silk gown ; Miss Mackay, black silk, relieved with jet ; Mrs Aubin, black brocade gown, the bodice finished with white silk, veiled in black lace ; Mrs Ledingham, black silk gown ; Mdlle. Coche, black gown ; Mrs Kronield, black silk skirt, and pretty light chine silk blouse ; Mrs Griffiths, pale green si lie blouse, black silk skirt ; Miss Moir, pale pink ; Miss Lusk, pale pink silk ; Mrs Oliphant, white silk ; Mrs H. Dacre, black evening dross ; Miss Phillips, pale pink dress. r

* * * The engagement is announced in Dunedin of Miss Brightie Hart, eldest daughter of Mr fi. Hart, Royal Terrace, to Mr Phillips, of Sydney. * * *

She was acknowledged to he a winsome bride, and, after a charming wedding, she departed for Kotorna on her honeymoon, accompanied by her travelling trousseau, showers of rice, and old shoes, and last, but probably not least, the lucky bridegroom. It was to be the happiest honeymoon that ever was. Hut, alas, the measles were abroad. The bride had never had them. On the second morning of her new and happier existence, she woke with a headache and—horror of honors —a face mottled o'er with the ruddy cast of measles. She had got them all right. The honeymoon has since then been spent under trying conditions. Her name? Oh, that would be too cruel. * * *

The engagement is announced of Miss Nettie Francis, eldest daughter of Mr H. J Francis, Amberley, Christchurch, to Mr Horace Rupert Maybury, of Sydney, third son of Mr C. "E B. May bury, Sheriff, of New South Wales. * * *

Mr John Breen, a very popular Auckland footballer of a few seasons ago, and now of the Wellington Harbour Board staff, was married to Miss Amy Sinclair on Friday July 12th, at Wellington. The ceremony, which was very quiet, took place at the residence of the bride's father, Mr William Sinclair, of Wellington Terrace. .Afterwards, the bride and bridegroom left for Sydney, where the honeymoon will be spent.

" Garment' ; '

OUR pioneer foTebteara waiWi.na.eed have been incredulous haft it been foretold to them that, in the not very distant future, a theatrical manager would feel justified in bringing a company from Germany in order to present grand opera to colonial music-lovers. And when we consider that, with two exceptions, these operas are interpreted in the performers' native tongue, it must be conceded that Mr George Musgrove's latest enterprise is a bold one. Six years ago, he sent a grand opera company through this colony, but on that occasion the combination was a cosmopolitan one. In the present case, all the artists, with only one or two exceptions, are of German nationality. The reason is not far to seek. Germany is the stronghold of grand opera. What is more, nearly , every German is a fully competent . musical critic, thence it stands to reason that any German who would make a name for himself in the Fatherland as an operatic artist must excel in every department of his adopted profession. * * *

With so much material to draw upon, it is little wonder that Mr Musgrove has been able to bring together a combination of great strength. For purposes of criticism, " Carmen," the first production must serve, although the criterion is by no means the highest, and it is unfortunate that, owing to unforeseen circumstances, the opening performance of " Lohengrin " had to be cancelled. Most people are familiar with the plot of " Carmen," and it is unnecessary to repeat it here. Bizet's wotk is one which possesses a perennial charm, and, given a capable interpretation, it can never grow stale. While there were one or two weak spots in its interpretation by Mr Musgrove's company last Tuesday night, it is undeniable that the performance, taken as a whole, attained to a scale of excellence which fully justified the high reputation held by the company.

* * * The singing of Johanna Heinze, in the part of Carmen, came as a perfect revelation to the audience. Possessed of a voice of great range and power, from her opening recitative aria, " When Shall I Be In Love," to her concluding fierce declamation, "Take It !" as she flings back her ring at the infatuated Don Jose, she held the attention of the audience by her singing. Nor is her dramatic power subservient to her singing. Whether as Carmen, the coquette, or as Carmen, the woman whose shallow nature is transformed by love to a certain intensity, she excelled in dramatic force. We have had Carmens here before, but never one who reached such a standard of consistent excellence as Johanna i Heinze.

"The pMfc~of"T36n"3ose~~vrAr'iartteßr ;. hSnds.6^ Richard ©fifeeiS Bx&fcn*, robust tenor, and to his fine voice.', must also be adte'd'' the further attributes of a commanding stage presence" and great dramatic ability. He is the ideal Don Jose., subtle ...change, from the ?m,oody£ ifiisaTOhjro|?jwteoMSl to the infatuated ltfver of tnecbquettftfr Carmen is carriedou^ s^jtifaljj,. Hefr Oeser'is rindpubjtedty &t Bia|lj^a^ jp]| the * more intense passages', as", for instance* when in the midst of Carmen's fa^cina,- . ting dance, the , sounds pi .fejae bjPjg}^ outside calls him back to duty, arid, he hesitates. On the" one side is his duty, on the other, Carmen, and he has to choose. In the last , scene,•again, when his brain is turned 'by infatuation, and he kills Carm.efl./'to*. ; prevent her from going to. Escfcimlldf. Herr Oeser held the . au.dignQ^lg&Kv bound with his emofcional acting.;!.^ r' t.r

Mia Barckow . took t.he ; .pftr^ ( 3 o Qf t ; Micaela, and took it r'emark^fyjiyjell'.;! She possesses a voice of itoawellxjusv sweetness and power. Herl &jtftjSjg'l#. marked by much sympathy. The'recitative "Here is the Hidden' AhdiieMf the Smugglers," as given by Fr. Barckow, . was one of the out-. standing features of the. performance. a Julius Hunger, as Eseamillo, with "the exception of a tendency towards flatness in one or two of his high notes, was well sriited. 'His-si6g-v ing of the well-known " Song of the-^ Toreador " evoked much enthusiasm. Heinfased all the necessary sprighttft ness into the part, and his act throughout was consistent .and evenly balanced. ; T ,' ,«■" i% Cf

As Zuniga,' ,'the lieutenant,| Fritz Rupp evidently revelled An :a congenial task. . His .opportunities ,wer.e. necessarily few, but they ' 'Werel quite sufficient to prove that he possesses a flue voice and considerable dramatic ability. Lillian Ormond and Elizabeth Kunhke were "well cast^a> Frasquita and Mercedes respectively; and Hans Mohwinkel and Karl Foller gave excellent renderings of their parts as the two smugglers; DancairaT and Remendado. The chorus did good work, with the exception of a slight mistake in the finale of the second act; In the fourth act they opened>weftk;^ but soon rallied, and, taken, generally, their work was well done." The orchestra is a large and powerful* ofnei and is under the baton of Her} Slapoffski. The staging and costumes were complete down to the smallest detail, and it is quite .clear that Mj Musgrove has spared no expense^-ji order to make the visit of his GertjS^i Grand Opera Company a- ,memorabl< one to New Zealand music-lover^. „ :

To-night (Thursday) Miss ■•■ M£i£< Hall, the famous young violinfete gives the first of her series of thre| recitals at the Choral Hall. Mis Hall's playing has created a verit able furore throughout .-'Ag? 'tralasia, and there is little dotib, that a rich treat is in store for thos who are in search of high-class inttei( Miss Hall will be assisted by. Mis Lorrie Basche,^ a talented-'; 1 i>fa^s] The second recital will" takeVp|ae@f|ii morrow (Friday) night, and tn third, and last, on Monday* •• ,7 jij