"MA MIE KGSETTE "

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2684, 2 February 1916, Page 3

"MA MIE KGSETTE "

POPULAR ROMANTIC OPERA REVIVISD "Ma. Mie Rosette," an opera iu two acts, by I'aui Lacombe and Ivan Caryl!. Last:—• fSiT* I 1- Derek Hudson Ooionel Cognac Claude Bontock £? alll <« l'hil Smith v Ethel Bemietto Moustajon John lialston ■ Vincent Reginald Kobeno ill's. Ueo. Lauri Ulochettc Jessie Cail'yn Incuse Kell Payne ft lunette Ivy Iniwn JiOcette Ethel Cadnian Corisande I'iorence Young Every sea.- i" uia Grant!' Opera tluuse. was lined in owning when the curtain rose on Paul Woiui/o and Ivan Car"JVU's eharui.ni /oinuntSi light opera, Mie KoVUe," an opera which made an mdclibio impression on the minds of playgoers somo, fourteen years ago. In tns estimation of the public oi those times "Ma Mie Rosette"' was voted a wort, of (lingular lyric i aud romantic charm, and that opinion holds good today. Indeed, it still takes rank with tho best light operas which _ have . been written in the interim for perfection in construction and melodic grace.' When originally produced in Wellington' the chief roles of. Rosette and the King were entrusted to Miss. Nellie Stewart and Mr.' Wtdiaco Brownlow, who were ideally suited, and it is the impossibility ,of eliminating from the mind the memory of that pei formahce which makes the . task of judging .their successors a less enviable doty than otherwise would have been the cAse. Not that the performance of last evening was not a thoroughly enjoyable one, for the tout ensemble was quite as gcod as the original performance. The opera is lavishly mounted, and the costumes of the picturesque period of Henry of Navarre contributed .to some of the most beautiful stage pictures it lias been our lot to see for a long time. It is interesting to note that of the original Australian cast, two performers .were left in last evening's cast, in the roles they formerly _ played, Miss Florence Young appearing' as Corisande and Mrs. ,Geo. Lauri (formerly Miss Marietta Nash) as Martha, and both artists showed that •time had dealt lightly with their ability to please. Ethol Cadman,. who made "a pvelty picture as Rosette, played the part 10. the limit of. her capacity, but there v,-or» occasions when her speaking tones were of acidulated sharpness, . cattish indeed in her passages with Corisande, •whereas Kosette should be sweetness unalloyed, "and her retorts to the jealous; favourite should be emanations of lniocence, rather -than the repartee of a woman of the world. It was not always possible to hear her words in song, though she mastered, the music with ease. In appearance she was dainty and refined, and her acting towards the end of the dream soetto was admirable. Once more Juncker's tuneful song,/ "I Was Dreaming," was by' Rosette, with'almost the same delightful effect as originally. Mr. Derek Hudson's Henry of Navarro wa3 a rather stiff, gloomy p9rson. His habit of "elocuting" (if one may coin a word) his/lines.made for artificiality on occasions. He sang the fine music allotted -to the role with; some distinction, with an intonation percussive rather than mellow, Mr. Hudson was 6een at his best in the passionate finale of the dream scene, ' where his vigour Btood him in good stead. The most notable performance last evening was certainly that of Mr. Reginald' Roberts as Vincent, Rosette's Tustic lover. He was bright and natural as the . ardent youth of harvest time, and when, during IfoFotte's fanciful dream, lie quits tho plough for the swoi;d, he summoned up his latent dramatic | powers, and gave a ringing rendition of the solo, "On to tho Field of Glory," which was'enthusiastically encored, and in tho ; challenge scene with the King he struck a high dramatic note and held it.until the curtain foil. Mr. Phil Smith cut an amusing little figure as Bouillon, the King's comic valet, and' Mr. C. R. Bantock as Colonel Cognac, a much-battered relic of the wars, was as entertaining as the nart permitted. The chorus was good to look ■upon, and its members have fine voices. Their singing was fresh-toned and hearty, though a little more attention to tho beat would tend., to an improvement here and there. One of the most popular numbers was the waltz of the dream act, a chorus of much seductive charm. "Ma Mie Rosette" will be performed again this evening, and to-morrow night "The Dancing Mistress" will bo played lor the first time in 'Wellington.