“LA BOHEME.”

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVIII, Issue 1059, 23 June 1910, Page 17

“LA BOHEME.”

Signorina Maria Pampari, the brilliant young Italian prima donna will appear as Mimi in this opera on Saturday next. As Mimi, the devoted Parislehne, Signorina Pampari has appeared with wonderful success in Italy and in the Continent of Europe and was specially selected by the great Puccini to sing the part in Australasia.

“In this opera (says the ‘Daily Telegraph, ’ Sydney, in criticising the first production of ‘La Boheme’ by Williamson’s Grand Opera Company) one recognises as in ‘ Madam Butterfly,’ how effectively Puccini can employ music to paint the stage. There is no overture, barely a few bars sufficing to introduce the Bohemians, who chatter briskly in their garret, and group round the stove to gather what warmth they may when the manuscript of Rudolph’s drama is thrust in to feed the flames. Here in the singularly rapid musical action, the varying moods in the care-free life of ‘ these bold adventurers’ are vividly illustrated. There is the reckless air of abandonment in the tripping melodies for the violins, and quaint little figures to typify the jubilation of the company as Schaunard unexpectedly enters with food and wine, and scatters his recently-earned gold about with the savoir faire of a CroesusThen in humorous contrast to all this, timorous agitation is expressed by the strings when Benoit, the old landlord, announces himself, and presents the bill for the last quarter’s rent. It is all typical of the new school —very rapid and energetic, with continually successive interests and constant changes of rhythm. “When iSchaunard tells his story of the welcome fee he earned by singing and playing to a parrot flor three days in the effort to terminate its existence, until at last he choked it with a piece of parsley, the song has a continual obligato in the gay chatter of his comrades over their newly-re-plenished larder. This interweaving of themes is conspicuous all through the. opera. In the vivacious street scene, the cries of the crowd, the eager shouting of the children over Parpignol’s toys, the gossip of Schaunard and Colline, the love-making of Rudolph and Mimi, the coquetry of Musetta, and the jealousy of Marcel are all included in a remarkable ensemble, closely resembling opera bouffe, and yet very far removed from it by the unconventionality of its treatment. One of the most effective situations in the opera occurs in the snow scene, at Mimi’s sad recital of her separation, for while the duet of farewell with Rudolph proceeds, Marcel and Musetta appear, quarrelling violently, and thus the two motives of pathetic, despairing love and furious anger, are wonderfully contrasted, and yet so skilfully handled that the quartet actually sings a passage in unison before the storm clears with the disappearance of Musetta and her jealous lover.” ' As in “ Butterfly,” the orchestration is magnificent. The choir, having a great deal more to do, are unlike the same opera, a patent factor. Signor Hazon will again conduct, and it goes without saying that a fine artistic result will accrue. In “La Boheme” Signor Zanelli will make his first appearance here as Marcel, the painter. “La Boheme,” with Signorina Maria Pampari as Mimi, will be given on Saturday, Monday and Thursday next.