"CARMEN"

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 829, 30 May 1910, Page 9

"CARMEN"

WILLIAMSON'S GRAND OPERA CO,

BEL SOREL AS CARMEN,

"Carmen," a grand opera in four acts, by Georges Bizet. Cast; —■ Bon Jnso (a Brigadier) Frederick Blarney Escamillo (a Toreador), Alltonio Zanciil Dancairo (a .Smuggler) Rufiis Fcrgusson Kcmcndado (a Smuggler), I-jdward Wynn Morales (a lirigadicr). l-'ergusson Ailan Jlicliaela (betrothed to Don Jose) Maria I'amparl Frasquita (a Gipsy) ... Mabc! Br-tclulor Mercedes (a Gipjiy) ... Rosina Buclununn Carmen Bel Sorel Time and later thoughts in operatic music are having an effect on Bizet's "Carmen," revived by tho Williamson Opera Company at tho Opera House on Saturday, evening. Traditionally, it is a fine work, well planned, and painted boldly in glowing colours, but after tho brilliantly-packed orchestral scores of tho Italian master of melody, tho oldtime orchestral accompaniments to Bizet's music appear to modern ears to lack breadth aild character, and that he, in common with other composers of his time, had not realised tho possibilities of orchestral elaboration. If anything more were needed to point the prevalent idea of Bizet's time, it was given in the three intermezzos played probably for the iirst tiino in Wellington on Saturday evening. As lines, of simple melody they were beautiful, but as efforts in orchestration it is doubtful if they are worth perpetuating, which is probably the reason why they are so seldom heard. Tho intermezzos are superficially pretty—hardly more— calling particularly for comparatively simple work from the wood-winds. That the intermezzos wero well played hardly needs the telling. Whilst it is interesting to descant upon this meeting of tho ancient and modern—meaning Bizet and Puccini —in opera, ami from a musician's point of view tho works are in the. strongest contrast, one'has' to admit tho popularity of "Carmen." and its wearing qualities, and. meditate why. . One of its attributes, it must be admitted, lies in tho exceptional opportunity it affords a prima donna to display in the •limelight tho arts aild in-aces inherent in women. Tho part of this Circo of old Seville is magnetic, and if its portrayer can add. a magnetism of her own, apart from other essential qualities needed in opera,, the effect must bo tho establishment of that electrical relation, usually described, as sympathy between tho audience and the singer, of such a part'. Though thero. is no demand on ths deeper histrionics, the part of Carmen must ever make a deep Appeal to the actress. So much has l>een admitted by several .who liavo essayed tho part, in which personal charm is' an cssential'to complete success. Without it any singer must necessarily fall short as Carmen. Another element which must bo taken into account as an aid to tile .opera's longevity is .its kaloido-seopic-colour scheme, and its light and often sparkling music which blonds so harmoniously with tho scene —"CarWn" is a feast for tho eyes as well as the ears, and, further it tells a r.impjo hut vivid story of love, liato, jealousy, and revenge, which nevw fails to please tho public. ' Tho Carmen of Mdlle. Bel Sorel is olio of the best wo have seen in Wellington—perhaps the best. Her petite figure, hor J'Yonc-.hified roguishness, her amorous languor and dramatic fire, alternating in brilliant flashes, combined to make hor Carmen a very charming, alluring, and repellent oreature by turn. Mdlle|s l '?ico —a vocal spectrum in its capability in depicting tho emotions—was well suited to the music, tho clear doleissimo of her vocalism in the lovo passages, contrasting strongly with those hard notes in her lower register, which aro so effective in tho tragic mood. Mdlle. Sorel was delightfully tantalising in her opening number, "Lovo Will Like a Girdling Fly," .where sho at once captivates Don Jose and cajoles his superior officer, and her insoucianco in the canzonet was exception-ally clover mumming, as was also her by-play in the next solo, "Close by tho Ramparts of Sevillp," sung with delicious archness tinctured by a rare vein of humour. The card song of tho third act was another number that was heartily applauded. In the final act the flaunting gracc'of the .heart-less gipsy-'was in fine contrast to her fca.r, when sho pel* ceiives that Jose -means business, and her death at tho hands of-her jilted lover was quite -a dramatic moment. On tho whole, ' Mdlle. Sorel's Carmen is a performance that will increase the. estimation of hor as an artist of high standing whoso heart is in tho work sho is so well equipped, temperamentally, to perform. No fault could be found with tho harmonious colour designs of. her pretty Spanish dresses.

Signorina I'ampari was the Michaela of tho cast— a calm, sedate Michaela, who would be nicer is - she wcro to impart a trifle more warmth to her act'"g- Her crystalline voice is as clear and nearly as cold, as ice. She acted the first scene (in Act I), with Don Joso very modestly and prettily, >;iid sang the big aria of the third 'act in mushed style, but without arousing the sympathy that tho number usuallv creates. Mr. Frederick Blarney's Doll Jose deserves only mild approval. His performance, from beginning to, end would-bo enhanced by the infusion of a trifle more dash and spirit into his acting and singing. Mr. Blarney has tho physique, and general aspect of 0110 who could dominate a critical situation, but so far his efforts have evidenced a restriction in his dramatic, equipment. On tho other hand Siguor Antonio Zanolli was splendidly dramatic as Eseannllo, and has a wealth of lorcible gesture and action for tho piclurcsquo toreador. Unfortunately, his voice has hardly the vocal breadth or quality for such an important part. His range is severely limited, and his vibrato is so pronounced that it ss often as not makes a sustained noto untrue He was encored for the famous "Toreador Song more for tho song's sake than for .he vocal effort it called forth. Mr. Edward Wynn, and Mr. Rufus Ferguson as the smugglers, Remendndo and Dancairo respectively, were excelent, and the jocular quintet in which t.iey engage with Carmen, Frasquita and Mercedes was 0110 of the best sunc and acted numbers in the opera. Mr. Orme Dan-all was, satisfactory as Ijiniga, and Misses Mabel Batchelor and Rosina Buckinann as Frasquita and Merccdes wero nicelv in the picture, and lent valuable vocal aid in several instances.

A feature of the performance was tho chorus—surely 0110 of the best in quality over heard in Wellington. Only on rare instances was there even a trace of raggedncss, and those were only in difficult broken-time passages. 'The girls, whose-dresses presented the gayest of colour schemes, were splendid in the cigarette chorus; and the choral elFcct was splendid in tho finale of the sccond act, and in those telling ensembles during the third act. Notablo ill this department was the chorus of hoys "playing soldiers" in the lirst act —a catchy trillo often omitted.

Nothing hut praise can ho given to Signer lia/.on's splendid orchestra, which was more than equal to the light demand Bizet placcs upon it. To tho able conductor is due in a large measure the swing with which the performance went 011 Saturday. The scenery is remarkably good. The first act set, a square in Seville, was very effective —the barracks on one hand, an old stono bridge and steps in the middle distance, and the high plas-

tered buildings, baking in the noonday sun of Spain. Other picturesquei scenes were tlic piazza of an old Spanish inn and the smugglers' cavo hy midnight. "Carmen" will be played again this evening.

"LA BOHEiME" TO-MORROW NIGHT. Fresh in the memories of all who witnessed tho initial presentation of Puccini's masterpiece, "La Jiohcme," is Signorina Maria Pampari's brilliant success of iVliini, and it is most likely that the majority will endeavour to be present on its second production. Tho interest surrounding l'ampari's delightful creation of Mimi must have been very gratifying to the cJeveij artist, whose sweet young voicc is suited to tho charming music of tho part, and the duet Between Signor Zerga and Signorina Pampari in tho first act was a treat of which the entire audience showed their,appreciation. in a marked degree.- Indeed, tiio two artists named may justly feel proud of tho reception on Thursday evening last. The entire cast was an excellent one, including Signoi' Zanclli, Arthur Crane, Orme Darvall, Edward Wynn, Fergusson Allan, and Miss Mabel Batclielor, and finally the grand opora orchestra under the distinguished baton of Signor Hazon.

Next Wednesday evening, when Mr. Alfred Hill will conduct, the farewell performance of "Madam Butterfly," which will also constitute the farewell appearance of Miss Amy Castles as Cho Clio San, will be under the patronage of the Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward, also the following musical associations: —Wellington Musical Union, Wellington Orchestral Society, Wellington Liedertai'el, Wellington Choral Society, also Messrs. A. H. Miles,_ J. Maughan Barnott, Spencer Lorraine, Lawrence F. Watkins. and the Savage Club. Special box plan arrangements have been made to enable the above to occupy seats together.