J. C. WILLIAMSON'S NEW COMIC OPERA COMPANY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 11884, 21 January 1914, Page 7

J. C. WILLIAMSON'S NEW COMIC OPERA COMPANY.

"THE COUNT OF LUXEMBOURG. "

The Town Hall was packed last evening, when the .1. C. Williamson New Comic Opera Company staged Franz Lehar's charmingly picturesque and daintily scored musical comedy, "The Count of Luxembourg." Iv "The Count, of Luxembourg" t.hcro is Lehar's music and Adrian Ivoss' lyrics— both, appropriately light. There is a Bohemian and artistic setting in the first act; the splendour of the Grand Duke's ball for the second act —and upon both these scenes as well as the story is built the real creation, which is mirth and melody. There is a waltz of the same langourous charm as that in "The Merry Widow," and there are many other companionable airs. In the Bohemian strains the composer produces the gay spirit, of carnival that sets feet tapping; in the second act the waltz melody brings out the sentimental side of the story, and at times the music is quite up to the standard of grand opera; and there are some quaint numbers which are particularly well sung by the comedians. The acting all through was excellent. Miss Florence Young's singing of the solo numbers allotted her part is quite a feature of the production, aud it is worth travelling a long way to hear the duets "Love Breaks Every Bond," "Are You Going to Dance?" and "The Marriage Duet," the honours of which are shared by Miss Young and Mr Frank Greene, a brilliant young baritone.