A MUSICAL UPLIFT.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1520, 16 August 1912, Page 6

A MUSICAL UPLIFT.

THE WORK OF THE QUINLAN . OPERA CO. Mr. W. Arundel Orchard, the wellknown Sydney musician, who arrived by tho Tahiti yesterday, speaks in glowing language of tho admirable- performances of the Quintan Opera Company, whoso .season in Australia concludes in Sydney this evening. The orchestra is said to have rehearsed for months beforo it coalesced with principals and chorus. It was the finest orchestral band ever heard in Sydney. The. wood-wind and horns were perfect, tho strings played ns one man, and tho brass was really excellent. There" wero 55 players in tho orchestra alone, not enough, of course, to do the fullest jnstico to the Wagnerian operas, but a long way better than they had over heard beforo in Australia. Ernest Knoch, the conductor of tho Wagnerian works, was quito a fine artist, and Signor Voghera, who conducted tho Italian works, was also splendid in his interpretations. In the Puccini operas, he brought out now and unexpected beauties. "What was most pleasing to me," said Mr. Orchard, "was the manner in which the heavier Wagnerian operas were received. I really did not think that 'Sydney was ready for them, but 'Tristan aiul Isolde,' 'The Walkyrie,' and 'Lohengrin' proved the most popular with tho public, and were tho ones which were played three times >to the twice the Italian operas were produced, and every lime to crowded houses. John Contcs mado a magnificent Lohengrin, and with Miss Agnes Nicholls and Sir. Parker in the bass parts,- formed a trio who would impress wherever they sang the roles. Signorina Brola, too, was very fine in the Italian repertoire. We had 'Tho Girl of the- Golden West," of Puccini, for the first time. I did not like it, that is on the whole, at first, hut the second time I was there it grew in ' interest, and I think if it could be heard half a dozen times one might like it. But I don't think the theme is ono which lends itself to musical treatment, though Puccini has caught the flavour of the Wild West admirably.

"It is understood in Sydney that it is all but definitely settled that the company is to come out again next year. Mr. Quinlan is delighted with the enthusiastic reception the company has received, and is quite keen on revisiting Australia." Mr. Bert E.oylc,_ manager in New Zealand for J. C. Williamson, Ltd., is endeavouring'to urge the firm to send the company to the. Dominion next year if-it returns to Australia. He has been given to understand that Mr. Quintan would favourably consider the proposal if bare expenses could be guaranteed, so that there is a faint hope of New Zealand hearing grand opera oa a scale which has never been attempted before in this country.