THE MONTAGUE-TURNER OPERA COMPANY.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 17, 23 April 1892, Page 421

THE MONTAGUE-TURNER OPERA COMPANY.

The M mtague-Turner Opera Company arrived in New Zealand yesterday by the S.s. Mararoa from Sydney, and now hold themselves in readiness to open their season of English Opera on Monday next at the Auckland Opera H«»use. Ine arrival of this Company may be fairly conconsidered an event in musical and theatrical circle*, in New Zealand, and that such is the ca*c is evidenced by the interest created from the first announcement of the manage* ment. It is now over three years since we had a first class Company in our midst as far as legitimate ballad opera is concerned, and there is no doubt we are longing tc see it again. Comic opera we have had. aud that of the best, with all its attendant spectacular display in the shape of elaborate scenery, brilliant costumes, and living pictures. The Montague Turner Opera Company is headed by three of the best artists who have appeared on the Australian stage during the last decide, an I this is evidenced by the fact that it has out lasted other companies which have ap* peare i from time to time, and have since disappeared from public notice. Miss Annis Montague is the prima donna anoint a—the bright particular star of the Company, and whose name is a household word amongst musical people in the colonies. It ni ty be safely said that opera company can last without an eminent prim-i d-jnni a great musical and dramatic artiste at its head, and that such is Miss Annis Montague admits of no dispute. A ladv by birth, the daughter of a Boston clergyman, and a highly educated woman,she is gift-d with a voice of exceptional purity, which has been brought to perfection by t »ur years tuition io Paris under the famous W artel, one of the greatest European masters. It is an acknowledged fact amongst A istraliin musicians that no one knows more about the pnnluction of the voice than Annis M »ntague. H»*r voice is level from the highest to the lowest note in an extraordinary register. The Australian press has time after rime l»eeo enthusiastic in its praise, and even the Sydney B admittedlv the severest of critics, says : ‘English <q»era with Annis Montagne for an exponent carries ali before it. This is as it should be.’

Mr Charle- Turner stands second to the prima donna in the Company s roll call. His voice is a pure tenor ‘ robusto.’ Every n«»te c »mes from his with a power and quality that are alike surprising. lu a critique of * Maritana’ the Sydney Morntng H- raid <ay<: • M Tur tier dressed very richly, acted with all that da>h and finish which the part of Don C«e<ar demands, and -*ang splendidly. “ Let Me Like a Soldier Fall, i- Mr Turner’s triumph. That he has a full round tenor voice most people know, and he imports to this song an am- u it of mirtid exprearion which exactly correspomt.a to the ebivalrou-s expression of tae word*.*

M Edward Fa:ley completes the famous trio who have sto«>d the te-t of time in the Montagne-Turner Company. This gentleman ha* always been e.\cee«iingly popular «»n the Australian >tage. Gifted with a clear, sonorous, ringing baritone voice, he combines a dramatic power with a highly* artistic stage presence, which never tail to make their effect upon his audience. The >ydmy Morning Herald sav* of his appearance in ‘ Maritana’ : * Hi* Don J -*e excelled bis «nd that i* saying a great deal, whilst bis song, la Hippy M Huent*, is given with parity of tone and telling emphasis which well earn him the applause he receives."

Of the arrists who support the three ‘stars’ in the Montagne Turner Company we have no time at present to speak, but we can say that Mt*s E. A Lambert (contralto) has for years h-*en the typical * Laztri 1»’ or Australia. Mi*s Maud Lita secun la donna i« a y-» mg • society* lads* of Svdney who has m vie her under the tuition-»f Miss M -n:ag i-, and ha* a very ri ie *oprino voice. M.- Alec Marsh * 1 is s-*eo i I tea »r. and M Fed Endian I i* b vsso. T.ie -on I net »r of tie >rc i-s:ra i* Mr Hareoirt Lee, whose nine is well known in op -ra b jin as conductor an J chorusmaster.