THE STAGE

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VIII, Issue 388, 30 December 1897, Page 14

THE STAGE

[By

Orpheus.]

Auckland Choral Society : The Messiah.”—The annual performance of Handels great oratorio on Tuesday evening filled the hail to its utmost capacity. Notwithstanding untoward circumstances, including the severe illness of Herr Professor Schmitt, who bravely battled through his trying task, and atmospheric conditions seriously affecting the vocal chords of both soloists and chorus, the oratorio on the whole proved a creditable performance. All the soloists, for the reason just stated, were occasionally imperfect in intonation. Mr W. S. Cousins sang the tenor music with much intelligence and refined taste, being most successful in “ Thy Rebuke, “ Behold and See,” “He was Cut Off, and “ Thou Dids’t Not Leave.” Mr Mitchell sang with fire and dash in the bass solos, but was somewhat throaty in production. His “ Why do the Nations” was specially effective. Mrs W. Eady sang the contralto parts with care and tenderness, but evidently suffered from the hot humid atmosphere more than anyone, her jumpnation being uncertain. Her portion of . He Shall Feed His Flock,” was very sympathetically rendered. Madame Chambers in her opening recitatives, “ There Were Shepherds, “ And to the Angel,” etc., was also handicapped by the atmospheric conditions, but overcoming them later, gave really admirable renderings of “ He Shall Feed His Flock,” “ How Beautiful are the Feet,” I Know That My Redeemer.” The chorus, save occasional lapses in intonation, for which the sopranos were mainly [responsible, sang with a good volnme of tone and precision, “ And the Glory,” “Surely He Hath Borne,” “ All We Like Sheep,” “ Their Sound is Gone Out,” and the “ Hallelujah ” being especially effective. The band, led by Dr Cox, lent efficient aid, and when it is remembered that the very slightest rehearsal was possible, the society must be congratulated on doing so well all round. During the interval Mr Archdale Tayler presented a purse of fifty sovereigns to Herr Professor Schmitt in testimony of the subscribers’ appreciation of his long and valuable services to the cause of music, expressing sympathy for his recent illness, and a hope that a quiet holiday would completely reinvigorate him. Herr Schmitt, who was manifestly overcome with emotion, feelingly responded in a few touching words which, owing to his weakness from a severe influenza attack, were only audible to those within a few feet of the speaker. ,

Opera House : Miss Eileen O’Moore —As I anticipated, a crowded and fashionable house enthusiastically greeted this accomplished young violinist’s reappearance in Auckland after an absence of three years. Finished as was her technique at that time, she has undoubtedly made tremendous strides in the interval, and that eminent critics should pronounce her the greatest living lady violinist is no longer a matter of doubt and wonder to those who had the pleasure of listening to her magnificent performances on Wednesday evening. Opening with Wieniaski’s brilliant and elegant “ Airs Passes.” Miss O’ Moore at once captivated her audience with her splendid tone, bowing, delicacy, power, sympathy, perfect intonation, and unfailing accuracy of double-stopps and natural and stopped harmonics, qualities which were consistently displayed throughout all the delightful morceaux which followed; Paganini’s concerto (first solo and cadenza), bristling with difficult tours de forces in all varieties of violin resources proved a veritable triumph, and carried the audience by storm. Spohr’s stately and majestic adagio was rendered with a breadth and purity of tone and soul which betokened a deep individuality in the performer. Hubay’s Hungarian dance was just a Niagara of sparkling gems, including a marvellous combination of pizzicato and feathered effects, and a perfect double trill. As encores Miss O’Moore played an exquisitely dainty lullaby (muted) by Hilliar; |a brilliant Spanish dance by Sarasate,in which harmonics, double stops, legato, and pizzacato effects were tossed off with charming ease and precision, and Schumann’s “ Traumerci,” a soulful and melodious andante. Readers of this column may confidently accept “Orpheus’ ” assurance that they have a rich and rare feast in store whenever Miss O’Moore plays. Miss O’Moore is supported by Mr Reginald Coke, a fine violoncellist, who, however, was manifestly not in his best form after a trying sea voyage. His rest-peg also handicapped him severly by sliping at awkward moments. The gavotte by Popper, however, gave some idea of what he could achieve under more favorable conditions. Mrs Reginald Coke was also suffering after her voyage, but nevertheless sang very pleasingly; she possesses a sweet, equal, pure and true light soprano voice, and was very charming in Tosti’s “ Beauty’s Eyes,” with ’cello obbligato by Mr Coke. In Miss Beatrice Vartha, a brilliant solo pianist and admirable accompanist has been secured. A berceuse by Chopin was rendered with refined and delicate taste, and Ketten’s brilliant “Les Castagnettes” displayed the clever young lady’s elastic touch and perfect execution to great advantage. Two local singers held their own bravely in such distinguished company. Miss Mabel Maxwell rendered a charming little chanson (by her teacher, Mr Arthur Boult), “ Dream Fancies,” and “ The Calico Dress” with complete success, and, with Mr Tracey Hall, sang Mendelssohn’s “ 1 Would That My Love” very nicely, but the tempo appeared to be somewhat too fast. Mr . Tracey Hall, in splendid voice, was encored for “ When Bright Eyes Glance,” responding with “ Bid Me to Love,” and was effective in “Thy

Sentinel am I.” The stage was beautifully decorated with foliage, fairy lamps, and draped with hangings which, although artistic, I fancy did not improve the acoustics.

Opera House : “ For England.”—Of Mr Bland Holt one may truly say, “ Everything you do still betters what is done 1 ” He is always surpassing himself and everybody else. That the public are alive to this fact was once more evidenced by the sardine-packed house which grew so enthusiastic on Boxing Nig at. Mr Sutton Vane, the brilliant dramatic author, has made a play with which the most fastidious critic suffering from a bilious fever could scarcely quarrel, so consistently clever are plot, situations, characters, and writing. Mr Bland Holt and his versatile supporters stage and play it in a style which leaves the audience with the comfortable sensation experienced after enjoying all the delicacies of the season well cooked and perfectly served, This is an appropriate Christmas simile ! An excellent sketch of the plot, printed on the programme, runs as follows : —“ In the course of four acts a Jplot is worked out descriptive of the gallantry and honor of Lieutenant Cecil Cranbourne as contrasted with the villany and treachery of Major Fordyce Dangerfield, a cashiered army officer, who is anxious to supplant Cranbourne in the affections of Alma Dunbar, a South African heiress, whose banking account is the only possible means he (Dangerfield) can see of employing to restore his position. Dangerfield has seduced and deserted Lesbia Pen n , a daughter of an old Q.uaker gardener, whom he subsequently murders,

after failing in an attempt to throw the blame of the girl’s downfall upon Cranbourne, against whom he also plots in an endeavor to transfer the capital charge from his own shoulders. War breaks out in the Transvaal, and Cranbourne is ordered, with his regiment, on active service to South Africa, whither Dangerfield also goes in the guise of a war correspondent, but really as a spy in the pay of the Boers, which treasonable position he employs to again attempt to ruin the hero and get Alma Dunbar into his clutches. That lady, accompanied by her maid (Keziah Penn) and Vera Cranbourne, has also found her way to South Africa, and the three ladies do much to circumvent the efforts of the traitor. Manasses Marks, a Jew money-lender, who has lent money to nearly all the officers in the regiment, and also to Dangerfield, follows his creditors to the war, and also turns up at the right moment to do Cranbourne a good turn and bring confusion on the heads of his enemies. Of course everything turns out happily in the end, and Marks is the individual who unravels the tangle. He is the sole witness of the murder of Penn. Afterwards he intercepts Dangerfield’s despatches to the Boers, and, although he is supposed to have been shot by Dangerfield, he puts in an appearance again in the last act, and finally vanquishes the villain.” Turning to the characters, and taking the ladies first —Miss Elizabeth Watson plays Alma Dunbar with much emotional power and grace ; Miss Frances Ross looks lovlier than ever as Vera Cranbourne, playing a pleasant role with delicious espieglerie ; Mrs Bland Holt is delicately humorous and fascinating in one of her own inimitable parts —that of Keziah Penn, a demure Quaker damsel with many fine touches of that nature which “ makes the whole world

kin” ; her sister (Lesbia Penn), whom the villain

(Dangerfield) has betrayed and deserted, is played with telling sympathy and pathos by Miss Fitzmaurice Gill, while Miss Flora An stead displays her versatility as Lady Cranbourne, a pathetic role in strong contrast with her wonted humor. As the hero (Cecil) Mr W. E. Baker’s manly presence, sonorous voice, and natural acting found full play and won all sympathies. Mr Albert Norman made a model villain, and Mr Cosgrove was delightfully humorous as Baby Bembrose; Jeremy Grattan, in the hands of Mr C. Brown, proved a capital bit of low-comedy work. Mr Bland Holt, in another of bis supremely clever Hebrew impersonations, makes a stupendous hit as Manasses Marks, his droll speeches and immense make-ups —what price the Zulu ?—compelling inextinguiseable laughter. Racing demands upon my space compel me to omit much that I would add to this inadequate notice of a splendid production. But a warm word of praise must be bestowed upon the excellent music performed by Mr Kehoe and his orchestra, and the beautiful scenery and stage accessories. This (Thursday night) is the last performance of “For England,” which no one should miss seeing. “In Sight of St. Paul’s,” another great production, is underlined for Friday evening.

Mr Wybert Reeve continues his Cinematographs Lumiere entertainment at the City Hall on Friday and every other evening until further notice. On Saturday night new pictures will be shown, including the Melbourne Cup. Mr Wybert Reeve is assisted by the favorite contralto, Miss Hope Nation, and Mr Geo. Higgott.

The “ Flying Jordans,” after a very successful trip through New Zealand, under the capable management of Mr Arthur Gray, have just finished their trip at Invercargill. The company leaves Australia for India very shortly. Mr A. Gray is now with the Kinematograph Syndicate, and, after the Xmas season at Invercargill, he goes through the goldfields. On his way to Sydney he hopes to pass through Auckland and meet some of his many friends.