Music, Drama.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IV, Issue 208, 19 July 1894, Page 2

Music, Drama.

By The Prompter.

The Montague-Turner Opera Co. Thanks to the unselfish heroism of Miss Annis Montague, the season so mournfully interrupted was resumed on Monday evening, when Faust was admirably produced in the presence of a crowded and sympathetic house. ~ Indulgence under the circumstances might well be claimed, but so good an all-round performance of Gounod’s sublime creation needed no such appeal. Miss Montague’s Marguerite is a superb performance, worthy of being compared with the greatest interpreters of the role —nut excepting Christine Nillson. Her singing and acting on Monday night proved a veritable triumph. It is such a rare treat to listen to a method so perfect and so entirely free from meretricious affectations, counted good style by modem voice-tinkers. Needless it is to singleout any special morceaux, when every bar of Gounod’s exquisite writing was* rendered with appropriate passion, power, tenderness and pathos. Mr William Walshe acquitted himself very well indeed in his exacting rdle. With a few more repetitions he will still further as his resources are quite equal to the part. Perhaps I might suggest that while Faust is the decrepit old man iiw body, his voice should be less powerful and resonant in timbre. When rejuvenated

a splendid opportunity of marking the change is thus afforded. Mr Edward Farley’s Mephistopheles scarcely needs praise. It will be sufficient to say that he was worthy of himself on Monday night, although not quite in his best voice as an occasional lapse in intonation proved. The Golden Calf and the Serenade were given with his wonted sardonic and fiendish power. - Miss Cicely handicapped as she was at first by manifest hoarseness, which, however, gradually disappeared, sang and acted Siebel’s charming role with signal success. I notice a marked advance in method and voice. Both the Flower Song and the lovely romance deservedly evoked loud plaudits. Mr Fred England’s Valentine gives that conscientious and capable artist an opportunity, of which he fully availed himself. His singing of the cavatina in the second act won an unmistakable encore, which was, .however, declined. The dying scene, both vocally and as a finished piece of acting, merits the highest praise it is possible to bestow. In the minor parts of Marta and Wagner Miss Maud Lita and Mr George Haswell proved capable interpreters. A word must be said in praise of the ensembles, those lovely quartettes being charmingly rendered by the principals. Mr Harcourt Lee rejoices in an exceptionally efficient band, whose work throughout was a real treat to listen to. The volume of tone is artistically managed, so that in no instance were the singers compelled to choose between forcing the voice or being drowned by the band. 'The chorus sang correctly and well, a surprising volume of tope being produced by the nine gentlemen who sang the immortal Soldiers’ Chorus, which had to be repeated. The staging was a credit to the management, the garden scene eliciting a round of enthusiastic applause, In these days of popular ' prices it is indeed a privilege to witness and listen, to so fine a performance of legitimate opera. The change to something more satisfying to the artistic appetite is indeed refreshing after the “ toujours perdrix ” menu of opera bouffe. On Tuesday evening Bizet’s masterpiece Carmen was produced, and a further success was scored. A very large audience attended, and the interpretation given of the opera was deservedly applauded. As the heroine Miss Annis Montague had a congenial role, and her pourtrayal of the character and rendition of the music allotted to her was all that could be desired and could not fail to satisfy the most exacting critic. Miss Montague was in excellent voice, and delivered her solos with the power of the true artiste. Mr Wm. Walshe was a most capable Don Jose, and in the fine melody “Il fior che Avevi,” he was heartily applauded by his auditors. Mr Walshe has made marked progress both in histrionic work and voice production, and his future on the boards should be a decidedly good one. Miss Maud Lita was an effective Michaela, and as z Escamillo, the toreador, Mr. Farley was well cast. He was not quite so attractive as the other Escamillo we know, Miss Addie Conyers, the dashing toreador of Carmen up to Date, but Mr Farley’s fine descriptive singing quite filled the void left in our affections by the departure of shapely Miss Conyers. Miss Cecily Staunton was content to play the small part of Frasquita with generous self-denial, and _ the other minor characters were well sustained. Chorus and orchestra were admirable, and largely contributed to the success of, the production. Last night , Miss Montague took a well-deserved benefit, and I am glad to say the house / was worthy of the occasion. This evening Faust will be staged, and those who have not seen Miss Montague as Marguerite may be advised to remedy their omission. t An entertainment in aid of the Hoare family will be given at Abbott’s Opera House on Friday, July 20th. The Christchurch Theatre hitherto known as the Tuam Street Theatre will in future be known as the Christchurch Opera House. Great improvements will shortly be made in the building, which will be occupied in August next by Mr Walter Bentley. Theatre-goer* may look forward to a treat at the Opera House on Monday evening next, when Brandon Thomas’ farcical comedy, Charley’s Aunt, will be performed for the first time. The comedy is a most laughable one, and in the hands of Messrs Thornton and Arnold’s Company its many good points are admirably interpreted.

The cable brings news that Madame Melba will visit Australia in May next, under the auspices of Mr Abbey, the American impresario.

“ Lorgnette” is rather rough on Wellingtonians. He writes. —“The Camilla Urso-Sapio concerts have been an undoubted success from an artistic point of view, but I fear the financial results must be extremely unsatisfactory. . . . Wellington people won’t support a really first-class concert company. They want an inane leg show.”

The Sixteenth Popular Concert of Mr A. H. Gee’s series will be given in the City Hall this (Thursday) evening. The concert will be the last of the present series and a specially attractive programme has been arranged by the promoter. Mr Gee will by special request sing The Desert, and his other numbers will be The Message and The Old Brigade. The assisting artists will be Miss Coleta Lorrigan, Miss Beata Harvey, Miss Caulton, Niss Amie Bates, Miss Thorpe, Miss Freda Marsden, Mr Howard Chambers and Mr Montague.

OUR MELBOURNE LETTER.

(from our correspondent.) July 3; “ Ally Sloper” is now the attraction at the Alexandra Theatre, with Dan Barry in the title role. It is best described as a farcial comedy, but I regret to say that the contract is a trifle too big for Mr Dan Barry’s company. Outside of the Misses Wilde, Moyston, Barry and Martyn Hagan, the company are not of a character calculated to set the sweet pellucid Yarra aflame. At the Theatre Royal Charles Holloway and company are playing “ The World Against Her.” Charlie has the bad times against him, and business is only so-so, and audiences slim. At the Princess the Royal Comic Opera Company and Miss Nellie Stewart hold the fort. The papers here say that this show is playing to “large and enthusiastic audiences.” Humph! As a matter of fact the biggest business now being done in Marvellous Melbourne is that of the Cogill’s minstrel party, who have shifted in to the Bijou Theatre. Only fancy, Review! Common, black-faced business desecrating the Temple of Thespis in which the famous Brough and Boucicault Company achieved all their notable triumphs. There are no end of performers here—ladies and gentlemen “resting.” What is really required is a few men with money, willing to take to the provinces. Do you know of any ? > • The Flat.