MUSIC, DRAMA, ETC.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume I, Issue 42, 16 May 1891, Page 2

MUSIC, DRAMA, ETC.

Spectatum admissi risum teneatis amici ?

Last Friday evening the Mount Eden Collegiate School delighted a crowded audience in the Lorne-street Hall with an entertainment so far above the level ordinarily reached by performers in statu pupillari as to merit more than a passing mention. Although admission was by invitation tickets, I am informed that the young ladies do not object to criticism in the public press. Punctually at 7.30 p.m. the Misses Bush, pupils of Mrs. St. Paul, took their seats at a very excellent piano, and executed in capital style a tuneful and dashing * 1 Hungarian March,” which was loudly applauded. Immediately after its conclusion the curtain rose upon the piece de resistance, an extravaganzacantata, founded upon the time-honoured fairy tale of Beauty and the Beast, by Myles Birket Foster. The libretto, from a literary point of view, has considerable merit, and the music is graceful and appropriate. The opening prologue revealed a veritable “rose-bud garden - of girls,” who presented a charming mise en scene, and sang in good tune and time the pretty chorus of roses. Miss Winnie Buddle, as Queen of the Roses, in a sweet contralto solo, reads her subjects a lesson on the vanity of beauty, and discloses Prince Azor’s spellbound condition. The Roses promise amendment. Part i., Scene 1., then introduces a sailors’ chorus, the young ladies dressing the characters and singing in capital style some breezy music, set to words which smack refreshingly of the “briny.” A duet follows between Beauty (Miss Bayldon) and her father (Miss Maude Harper), in which the latter asks 1 his daughter to name the present she would like him to bring on his return. Modest Beauty merely asks, “ Oh! pluck thy child a rose.” The sailors resume their chorus, and wind up with a splendidly danced hornpipe. In Scene n. Beauty’s father has reached the Beast’s domain, and is invited by a charming Chorus of Roses to enter and rest in the lovely garden. In Scene in., mindful of his promise to Beanty, the merchant rashly plucks a rose, and is straightway confronted by the indignant Bear, who will only condone the offence on receiving a promise that Beauty shall be sent to him. The Bear (Miss Rosie Rees) sang and acted in this scene most effectively, but perhaps hardly looked sufficiently formidable, her sweet face scarcely according with the bear-like costume. A mask would have added to the terror of the guilty thief. The Roses, in a graceful chorus, allay the merchant’s dread, and tell him to mount Bucephalus, the magic steed, and bring Beauty forthwith. Part u., Scene n., shows the merchant telling his adventures to Beauty,

and contains a charming bit of comedy well portrayed by Miss Harper. The merchant paints in glowing terms all the beauties of the Beast’s garden, but tempers his ecstasies with a groaning ejaculation, “ But oh ! that Bear ! Miss Harper marked the antithesis with admirable emphasis, and the effect was quaintly comic. Beauty, in a pretty ballad very nicely rendered, promises to go to the rescue and save her father’s life. In Scene n. Beauty and her father are welcomed by a tastefully-dressed chorus of slaves. The Bear dismisses his court, and the three principals discuss the situation. An exquisite little trio ends the scene, the Bear deciding that Beauty must remain for a year in his custody. In Scene in. Beauty is sleeping, pillowed on a mossy bank and guarded by the attendant Roses. The Bear sings a graceful serenade, and the Roses in chorus chaunt a sweet lullaby, led by their Queen, who sings a tuneful solo very effectively. Part in., Scene i„ opens with an arduous solo for Beauty, in which Miss Bayldon acquitted herself so well that a shower of bouquets marked the approval of her hearers. The year has expired, and the Bear, who is sick unto death, appeals to her to save his life. Beauty declares that she must first visit her father, and promises to return before sunset. Scene n. The Bear, surrounded by his slaves, is on the point of expiring, and calls tremulously for Beauty. The slaves sing a mournful dirge of despair, but Beauty on Bucephalus returns in the nick of time to marry the Bear, who is of course immediately transformed into the dazzling Prince Azor, and all ends li. apply. I cannot too highly praise the performance. Costumes- scenery, grouping, acting, singing and management were all admirable. Miss McHarg wielded the conductor’s baton with aplomb and decision, while Miss Miller played the accompaniments accurately and with true musical taste. No stage-waits and no single hitch marred the smooth run of the dramatic action. Foot-lights were wisely dispensed with. Seeing that in some scenes upwards of sixty performers crowded the small stage, dresses might easily have come in contact with the gas-jets. Much earnest labour must have been bestowed in the preparation, of a piece which has its reward in the satisfaction of those who were privileged to witness its performance. After the interval a miscellaneous entertainment formed the second part. Miss E. R‘ Jones, a youthful performer, played a rather ambitious solo on the pianoforte in a style highly creditable both to the performer and her teacher. Next the younger girls of the school recited in chorus, under the baton of Miss Matthews, a “Dutch Lullaby” and “The Dead Doll.” Everyone admired the marvellous time, precision, and accuracy of inflexion displayed by those fresh young voices. Miss Gibbs sang “ In Old Madrid ” so well as towin an encore. She should be very careful about her intonation, which in some notes was not quite true. A three-part glee — that old favourite, “ Ye shepherds tell me ” —was next sung most effectively by the elder girls, some twenty or twenty-four dividing the parts. Another semi-choral recitation, “ The Bells of Lynn,” was next admirably given by the elder girls under Miss Matthews’ direction, meriting praiseof a character similar to that awarded to the younger girls’ recitations. The Misses Winnie Buddle and Rosie Rees very creditably went through the scolding scene in Julius Csesar. Both did excellently, but Miss Buddle (Brutus) especially well. Two pupils of Mrs. St. Paul next played a pianoforte duet, “Les Jolis Oiseaux,” and covered themselves and their clever teachers with glory, the execution being, for such youthful performers, almost faultless. As a finale the upper school sang “Protect us through the coming night,” set to music which is familiar to many as the exquisite trio “Ti Pragho.” “ God save the Queen ” brought the pleasant evening to a close, and with many congratulations the audience dispersed.

Miss Jennie Lee opens her season in the Jpera House with that old favourite “ Jo ” on Monday night. After so long a blank it will be a pleasant change, and doubtless good audiences will be the order of the night. Good wine needs no bush.

Madame Patey opens on the. 23rd instant, and the music-loving public may with confidence

look forward to a real treat. Miss Bertha Robson the soprano, won golden opinions at the Dunedin Exhibition. Messrs J ones and Patey are respectively the tenor and basso. M. Lemmone whose exquisite flute playing was heard and appreciated in Auckland some years ago, will greatly strengthen the company by his solos, as well as by his obligatos. Orpheus.