"CHOCOLATE SOLDIER,"

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1977, 6 February 1914, Page 8

"CHOCOLATE SOLDIER,"

NEW COMIC OPERA CO "Tho Choeglate...Soldicr, ! ' a comic opera, in three acts, founded on O, Bernard Shaw's play, "Arms and tho Man," written by Messrs. Bornnuor and Jacobsen. English vetsio.ii by StanislausStanse. Music by.Oscar .Strauss. Oast: Cftsimir Popoit Pliil Smith Aloxius SpirWofl JJchvard Wynne i fiiiaerii Reginald Iteborts Masaikroff Victor J'riaco fiteflhan Chttrl.BE M«ttam ifiEclia. Dorothy Bpaiiton Aurelia Gccila Ghi-loni Laska VlaSta. Kovotnti ■ Katinka Aiico Bcmrctlo Kadtna.-- I Florcucfc Young■ The New Coinifi Opera Company is fortunate in the selection of revivals with which to round off tlio present enjoyable season. It-was thoroughly refreshing to witness "Tho Arcadians," and it Was hobo the less Welcome to have been afforded tho opportunity last evening of seeing that delightful work "Tho Chocolate Soldier" again. Tho opera, which created an indelible im- ■ pression on its first- p-r-odiietion iii Wellington some tireo years ago}., j-s (according to the programme) announced "with apologies to Mr, Bernard, Shaw," which 'is doubtless ft cda'oessien insisted, on by that brilliant literateUr and prince of poseurs. Mr, Shaw has,every reason to be gratified that some clever people lit upon the idea of vitalising his > <?Wcr play with so excellent a musical setting that it has assisted very materially in increasing the interest in his writings. Mr. Ose.ar Strauss has provided a score- that is strung With beautiful ijjc'l-adies, sparkling qtiartets, and duets, and splendid ensembles, and lias orclies'trated his music in an equally delightful manner. Whilst tho' collaborators have developed .the' purely fa-roi--cal side of the pkiy 'Proper by eliminating Shavian aeid, the composer has sensed his subject So .keenly as to provide a score that, whilst curiously akin to tlio nature and character of the work, is brilliantly. ' animating. Neither before nor ; since ■ has this : particular Strauss _ readied the iu'glistandard shown in ; "Tho Chocolate Soldier.". His "Waltz Dream" Was a success, and is a liglit opera illuminated with many radiant melodies, but its fibre docs not compare in strength with: tho uniform high quality of "Tho Chocolate Soldier." Tho book 'is one of tho best, tho story and scenic setting unique, and last evening's pcrformanco was most certainly the best given in Wellington, When performed in this city Miss Amy Murphy was the Xadina ( tho lively yonng Balgarian ladv Who is engaged BiOst of tlio day in singing, rapturously, to tho photograph of her soldier-lover Alexius. On this occasion tlie- rolo is in the safe hands, of Miss Florence. Ymmgj whoso' bold lustrous soprano voice' is perfectly suited to tho all-de-manding music, which reaches its most ecstatic point lit ih.o 1 "3iy Hero" .song. This Miss Young sang-gloriously, There i,s no mincing the matter with this popular artist. She has a singularly vivid and powerful voice of nncommon musical quality, and in this solo it rang tliftiug-h a .perfect blaze of orcliestr.il embellishment in a manner thai induced enthusiastic applause. Miss Young acted vivaciously iii .the witty love' scenes with Alexius and Burnetii, and was delightful in the "Chocolate Sflldier Man" duct with Mr. Reginald Roberts, and in the quaint letter scene, Tho Maseha of Miss Dorothy Brtintoii Was a perfect cameo in lighter histrionics. She makes mischief just as adorably as sho flirts witli anyone who happens to bo about in the happiest of comedy . spirits. -Hef pretty ways and trim figure please tho eye, as her ripe intelligence does the mind; and her performance was quickly single.;] out for favour by tho audience. Miss C«iia G'hilori'i. was adniir&blo -as tho flirtatious Madame Popoff, and contributed . invaluably.. to' 'tlie'i suScii&"idf tlio < comedy Scones, notably that' in wlifch the three women are endeavouring to secure the photographs presented to Lieutenant -Bumerli from i'apa PopofF's coat- pocket. _ Biinierii was notably well ; played by Mr, llegi.iis'l-d Roberts, who ■ may always bo relied on for conscientious and clever work. He is singular-' 1? well suited as the. chocolate-loving Swiss, who scoffs at heroes., and slaps convention in the face at every turn. Mr. Roberts iias a voice to'he reckoned with, is a spry dancer, and squeezed the part dry of all the good -comedy it contains. Sir. Edward Wynne., - Who played tho. beau-to'us Alexius, is just a Jittie. stilted as an actor, and does not make j all the laughter possible. He cut a handsome ' figure, and sang the music remarkably well. His dilet with Miss Rrunton was one of the'' gems of tho evening. Mr..» Phil Smith was very j diverting as Casimir Popoff, but was not nea-r'iy up to the quality -of other performances given during the -'season. Mr. Victor Prince Was fiercdy eflcctivo as Captain Massakrcff, n Bulgarian bogy, of comfortable dimensions, A ■feature of the last act was a charmingly executed dance by the clever Bohemian dai-idor Miss Tlasta Novotna. The chorus was iloiably strong, and : well-bslanced, and the nianner in which they gave voice, to tho finale of tho I second act —a notably fin# number—was ; thrillingly effective. - llerr Gustavo SfapofTski's licat- was precise enough for his capital orchestra, but. there wore oc-! casions when there, were- differences of qpinion as to tempo between artist and conductor. '.

"Tho Chocolate. Soldier" will be .preseated to-niglit aid to-morrow wight.