OPERA CONCERT.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 818, 19 July 1933, Page 3

OPERA CONCERT.

Mr Hubert Carter and Pupils. • A FINE PERFORMANCE. All credit is due to Mr Hubert Carter lor his enterprise in departing from the usual form of music teucher’s recital and presenting a grand opera concert in costume with appropriate settings at the Radiant Hall last evening. It was an ambitious project, but Mr Carter and his pupils may fairly claim success in their efforts. Of course there were weaknesses, which was only to be expected in an entertainment of such a nature; but there was always Mr Carter’s splendid tenor to set the standard, and the students all showed clearly the fine training they have received. The costumes were really splendid and the settings were most effective. Apart from the masterly interpretations of Mr Carter and the often excellent support he received from his largely * due to the wise choice of a programme. After all, most people can claim acquaintance Avith at least one aria in each of the famous operas, and when they attend a full performance they sit through it, thoroughly enjoying the production as a Avhole, but at the same time waiting for their oavii particular favourite. Mr Carter lied chosen a representative collection of the old favourites from Leoncavallo, Donizetti, Vertlr, Gounod, Puccini and Bizet, with the result that the audience was abte to enjoy all the numbers to which the majority of its members would most look forward in a full season of grand opera. Although the standard of the singing was generally high, with Mr Carter always the dominant figure, there were occasions when the individual A’oices of the students lacked the range and flexibility that opera requires, but it would be amazing if that were not so. As it was, the singing demands warm praise for the teacher, who has made the most of the material at his command, although his pupils necessarily and naturally include those whose voices could never meet to the full the exacting demands of opera. The concert was certainly a personal triumph for Mr Carter. Widely regarded. as the best tenor in New Zealand, lie added further laurels to his high reputation by the ease and grace with which ho sang through five roles. His clarity, his range and control, his expression and liis splendid enunciation were qualities that made his singing a delight to listen to. He gave his finest performance as Faust and sang the exacting music of Act 111. in flawless fashion. The programme opened attractively with the popular “ Sextette ” from “Lucia di Lammermoor" (Donizetti). Those taking part were Misses Nancy Bowden and Millicent O’Grady and Messrs Hubert Carter, A. S-. Bell, R. Cordery and C. Jenkin. Except for a slight weakness in the bass, the voices blended harmoniously and the number was well received. Miss Lucy Full wood was not always at ease as Leonora in the “Miserere” soena from Verdi’s “ 11 Trovatore but her occasional faltering was probably due to nervousness, for her A-oiee was really pleasing and showed great possibilities. She was well supported by Mr Carter (Manrico) and the chorus of monks. Mr T. Wright sang the brief part of Ruiz satisfactorily. The first part of the programme concluded Avith Act 111. from Gounod’s ” Faust.” The voices in this item A\ r ere particularly strong, Miss Annas Gale (Margherita) singing the famous ‘“Jewel Song” pleasingly. She did not make the mistake of stri\-ing for effect and the result was charming. Mr Bell sang Mephistopheles ably and confidently, while Mrs Anne Harper (Martha) and Miss Myra Sutton (Siebel) sang well. Some of the most delightful music Puccini eA-er Avrote was heard in the scena from “ Madame Butterfly.” Miss Millicent O’Grady gave a sterling performance as .Cho-Cho-San, impressing Avith the “One Fine Day” aria. Miss O’Grady was well supported by Miss Myra Sutton (Suziki). Mr Carter’s dramatic interpretation of “No, Pagliaceio, No More,” was the outstanding feature of the finale from “ 1 Pagliacci.” Mrs Walton was a satisfactory Xedda, and Mr Eric L. Cordery ably took the part of Silvio. The concert ended splendidly with the colourful Act 11. from “Carmen.” Miss Nancy Bowden’s Carmen was probably the outstanding interpretation of the evening as far as the students were concerned. Her “ Tambourine ” song was a spirited piece of Avork. Mr Carter’s singing of the “ Flower Song ” A\-as on a par with the rest of his Avork during the evening, and Mr Russell Cordery sang “ The Toreador Song ” pleasingly, although his Aoice is rather light for such dramatic numbers. Others taking part were Mrs Walton, Miss Grace Nixon and Messrs Bell, R. Paterson and WrightValuable assistance was given by Mr Harold Beck’s accomplished orchestra, the overture from “Pagliacci” being a polished performance. All the artists owed a debt of thanks to Mr Stanley Morgan for bis sympathetic and able It is to be hoped that Mr Carter receives sufficient support during the present season to induce him to make these concerts definite annual fixtures.

They would rank high among the eA-ents of the musical year. The programme Avill be repeated tomorroAV night and Saturday night.