"ERNANI."

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3491, 19 June 1879, Page 4

"ERNANI."

Mi? H. F. Towle'a opera class last night introduced to their patrons Verdi's tragio opera, "Ernani," of which the following is the argument given in Nove lo's edition : — . If The action takes place in Arragon, in 1519. Elvira, a noble Spanish lady (Miss Cooke) is on the eve of marriage with the aged Don Gomez de Silva (Mr Edmonds) a grandee of Spain, when Ernani, a bandib chief (Mr Towle), appears and requests the aid of the mountaineers and banditti to carry off Elvira, to whom he is fondly attached, and who returns bis love. While Elvira ; is receiving the presents and congratulations of her friends upon her marriagd) Don Carlos, King of Spain (Mr Buncie) .enters her apartment, declares his passion for her, and tries to force her from the castle. She calls for help, and Ernani, entering from a seorot door, protects her, and defies the King. Silva, coming to visit his bride, finds his two rivals, and declares he -will avenge the insult with his sword. The arrival of Don Kicardo (Air Lang), the rojal armour-bearer* reveals to Silva that it is the Sing ho hasi challenged, and, kneeling to him, lie begs for pardon, which is granted. In the second aot, when the nuptials of Elvira and Silva are about to be solemnised, Ernani, disguised as a pilgrim, is announced asking for hospitality, when, thinking that Elvira is false ta hunt he throws off his disguise, declares his followers are dispersed, and demands to be given up to the King. Tlub Silva rofußes to do, as it is against the honour of a noble to betray a guest, but afterwards finding that Ernani and Elvira are still faithful to each other he determines on vengeance. The King arrives, and demands that either Ernani or Silva shall be placed under arrest. Elvira pleads for mercy, and the King carries her off as hoß* tsge of the faith of Silva. On the departure of Elvira, Silva challenges Ernani, who refuses to fight, with one who has saved his life, but declares he is ready to die, and only begs to see Elvira once more. On being informed that she Jibs been taken as hostage for Silva, Ernani ttitib him that the King is alao a rival, wd'^fcriojs&s.rif he may share in -his vengeane&lhaJL l ne will give up his life when calMilaMfPand presents him with a horn to WVBJt 1 ffcß tfo« pipmiK » to fro kept. In

the third act the King is concealed in the Catacombs in Aquiegrana, knowing that a meeting of conspirators is to takb place there. The right of killing the King falls on Eruani. At that moment Don Carlos appears, and announcing himself as tho Emperor Charles the Fifth, condemns the plebeians to prison, and the nobles to the«block. Ernani demands to be sent with the nobles, as he is himself a Duke proscribed by the King of Castile. Charles, wishing to reign by love rather than fear, pardons the conspirators, and unites the lovers Ernani and Elvira. The fourth act opens with their marriage, but in the midst of their rejoicing Don Silra enters, masked, and, determined on revenge, sounds the horn, when Ernani, faithful to his promise, Btab3 him B elf."

To say that the attempt of last night was an unqualified success, would be to attribute to Mr Towle a power to work n musical miracle upon his pupils. The opera is one which requires for its full execution at least half a dozen artists of thorough musical training, who, in short, have for years subjected their voices"— voices too of exceptional excellence — to continuous disciplino, and of course it is absurd to suppose that in a few brief months, or more correctly Fpeaking weeks, a class of such pupils as are to be found in Christchurch could be rendered capable of interpreting grand opera in such a manneraa to defy criticism. If they succeed in giving a moderate notion of the beauties of the piece, they may fairly be deemed to have exceeded reasonable expectation. Taking a standard of the kind here hinted at as that by which to measure last night's performance, toe critic can justly allow himself to give a great deal of praise to the vocalists generally, and a still larger amount to the orchestra. The overture was an exceedingly enjoyable musical treat. It was, we understand, to a large extent, if not entirely, an arrangement by Mr Towle of the leading airs of the opera. The manner in which it was executed drew from the delighted audience most enthusiastic applause. To make a detailed criticism of the opera would take up tso much space, we Bhall therefore do no more than briefly notice the principals in the order in which they appear on the programme, though in doing so perhaps undue prominence may bo given to the less satisfactory portions of last night's performance.

Don Cwlos was a marked exception to the general excellence. It is really difficulty to understand how this gentleman wandered into an opera class. Though possessing a voice of average quality, he has not the slightest idea of what to do with it. He displays an independence in the matter of keys, which speaks more for the selfreliance of his character than for the delicacy of his musical ear. If he could contrive to drop his self-reliance and adopt the keys, which the other performers take at the composer's bidding, his execution would be less excruciating. He would do well also not to attempt the difficult feat of singing with his throat closed. With attention to these details, his fine memory and good baritone voice may make him a singer. Don Silva is evidently a good musician, and possesses a fair voice, with plenty of confidence. He, however, requires — an uncommon thing in an amateur — to tone down the exuberance of his histrionic ideas. A little more dignity and less uniformity of ferocity, would greatly improve his rendering of the role, Ernani was called upon to exert himself to the utmost on teveral occasions to restore chaos to order. He was in excellent voice, and sang, as ho alwajs does, with much effect. Don Biccardo had very little to sing, which was a decidod pity. lago, an esquire of Don Silva, also had very little to sing. What he did sing, was not sufficient to enable ono to form a desire to hear either moro or less of him. Elvira fairly astonished those who were not in the secret. She possesses a pure, fresh, full soprano, of great range, sweetness and power, a perfect ear, and a thoroughly reliable memory. Such vocalisation as hers of last night, is far and away above the best amateur singing. Mr Towle may be cordially felicitated upon having boon so fortunate as to number her among bis pupils. Possessing tho musical talent and ability that this young lady does, it is much to be hoped that she will pursue her studies. She has, of course, a great deal to learn, but blio is exceedingly well qualified to shino in operatic music. The Giovanna in attendance upon Elvira, mado something of a small part. Tho choruses of this opera, in common with opora chorußCs generally, arc not difficult to sing. Tho class rendered them very satisfactorily, though occasionally they were considerably indebted for assistance to tho orchestra. There was a general inclination on the part of all the vocalists to beat time for themselves, possibly a practice which may facilitate matters as far as they are concerned, but one which detracts somewhat from the merits of the performance. To-night, a most attractive programmo will be presented. It will consist of tho whole of " H.M.S. Pinafore" and tho first and fourth acts of

A Masonic Sionai of Distbkss.— Captain Gaskill, of the coasting schooner Mary Louisa, is a hero and a Mason. On the last run from New York to Newbern, North Carolina, his look-outdißCovered the wreck of the Clara Merrick, near Hatteras, with five men clinging to the rigging. Tho captain wont forward and closely observed tho signals made by the wrecked men, of tor which ho ordered the boat to be lowered, and stated that he intended to save them if possible. The wind was blowing a gale, and seas were running very high at the time, and one of his men askod: "Will you try to save them?" The captain replied : " I will go to them or dio in tho attempt. I Bee the Masonic signal of distress displayed. Who will volunteer to go with me?" Two of his men at once volunteered, and the three brave men stepped into tho yawl and shoved off from the vessel. Their noble efforts were crowned with success. They reached the men, took them from their perilous position, and returned in safety to the Mary Louisa. The five men had been clinging to the rigging at tho masthead about fix hours.