PUCCINI, THE WIZARD.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 817, 14 May 1910, Page 6

PUCCINI, THE WIZARD.

' -* — . THE GEAND OPERA TOTJE. (FOBBWOED BY AtFBED HrEL.) It may interest my brother musicians in New Zealand (writes Alfred Hill) to have a foreword from me on the, subject of the Dominion tour of the J. C. Williamson Grand -Opera Company. Let me say right away that, my countrymen ore going to get their money's worth. How the undertaking can be carried out at the tariff fixed is a puzzle to me. From what I know it is a very'plucky managerial venture, and New Zealand. is "all to the good," as the Americans say, with regard to it But as to the musical side, which after all is what is'going to interest you most, the operas are to be' given under the magical baton of Signor Hazon. I have tho honour to bo his deputy, and there is nobody more sensible of tho honour of serving under such a splendid musician than. I. Signor Hazon-has made musical history in Sydney for over 20 years, as the city's leading musician and conductor. With the works of Wb famous compatriot, Puccini, he is particularly at home. He has the composer's ideas at first hand, and what is even more ho has the Italian temperament, and that is something that one can only be born to. Next come the artists. They are all young people,, though'' not untried, nil having "made good" in the Old World. You will ho doubt long ere this have had glowing accounts of that charming personality, Mdlle.. Bel Sorel.' She has been responsible for many tears from mo for the underlying emotional beauty of her portrayal of "Madam Butterfly" is irresistible. It is one thing to weep at the beautiful in art, another, thing to weep at tho good. Mdlle. Soral's interpretation is both. • That caressing voice of hers, which she so .wonderfully colours,! is,a life memory. And what a musician!,! She makes her. voice- another beautiful instrument added to the orchestra. Her success in Sydney has been simply electrical.

Then you are to hear the Australian prima donna, Miss Amy Castles, on the threshold of. her operatic career. You: are fortunate again, for Miss Castles is going to bo a name to conjuro with in tho. world. of opera beforo very long! Ton already know the,beauty.of her voice in concert work! 1 ' Bo prepared, to hear it in fuller glory,in "Madam Butterfly." I am, not going to say anything ■ more about her. now,' beyond that she has surprised and delighted her greatest admirers. With you, too, I am sure she will do the same. ■ ■ . ~ i

With tho strangers to cross the Tasman Sea is Signorina Maria Pampari, a Madonna-like woman if ever there was one. As Mimi in "La Boheme" she has stirred musical Sydney as no other Mimi ever succeeded in doing. Appearance, vocally, and in acting she is tho heroine, tho ideal heroine, of "La Boheme." She has appeared in the role at La Scala, Milan. ,•''.■ . •'

Coming to Australasians, Now Zealand is in the front rank with Miss Eosina Buckm'ann. As Suzuki in "Madam Butterfly," Miss Buckmann has made a name for herself that we New Zcalanders should be proud of. Mdlle. Sorel told me that never before had'she seen,the part made bo interesting as it -is by Miss Buckmann. Then wo have ; Miss Mabel Batchelor, tho Sydney: soprano, a protege of Mr. John Lcmmone. She has acquitted herself, with remarkable cleverness and vocal brightness :as Musetta in "La Boheme," and has been alloted the part of, Frasquita in "Carmen." There are two tenors, Signor Zerga. and Mr. Blarney, and both havo beautiful voices and are quite young mon. They aro so unlike in voice and temperament that it is a question of "pay your, money and take your choice." Their readings of the samo parts aro totally different, but each "gets there" in his own way, and they aro both eminently' satisfying vocalists. The same remarks are equally applicable to tho Italian and Australian baritones, Signor Zanfilli and Mr. Arthur Crane. Zanelli has a very warm voice, and has ease and dignity in all his work. ,Mr.. Crane is a fino study and an earnest artist. You will like his work.

Mr. Orme DarvaU/tho bass of the company, is also an Australian. He has spent much of his time in opera in Italy, and is oho of the few Australians who have appeared, at'Covent Garden. His voice is powerful and well, produced, and though ■a man of great experience, ho is still young. Two other male principals aro Messrs. Wynn and. Pergusson, both of whom won their spurs in Musgrove's German Opera Company.