GONSALEZ OPERA COMPANY

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2950, 9 December 1916, Page 11

GONSALEZ OPERA COMPANY

* "CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA " AND "I PAGLIACCI" "Cavalleria Hu'sticana," a one-act opera by ilascagni, Cast:— Santuzza Signorjna Da Severe Lola . Signorina Buss Turridu Signor Lois Alio Signor Scamuzzi Mamma Lucia Signorina Piccolo Not yet is the Gonsalez Opera Company at the end of its resources as far as now and talonted principals are ' concerned. Tho famous double bill, "Cavalleria ituoticana" and "I Pagliacci," presented for the first tife in Hew Zealand last evening—an ovent of musical notewas full of surprises. It introduced two new tenors, both young; and handsome, and in the case of Signor Balboni, a dramatic tenor of the first order, with dramatic temperament and histrionic ability that created genuine enthusiasm, and raised shouts of "Bravo" from all parts of tho big audience. Those who would see these gifted people at their best are urged not to miss the repetition of this double bill this afternoon. "Cavalleria Busticana," .the music of which is fairly woll known, by the Wellington public through the concert performances of the work given by the choral societies, is the one outstandingly vital opera cofposed by l'ietro Mascagiii. It won a prize of 2000 francs offered by Sonzogno, the music publisher,- of Milan, for tho best ono-act opera, created a furoro on its first performance in Home, in May, 18' JO, and has been produced thousands of times sinoe in afl parts of tho world with the same suocess. Mascagni, who was raised from poverty to altluonco by his success, has written many other oporas, but none have achioved anything like the Buocess of this opera—his first. It was written with rare dramatic inspiration, dealing in a masterful manner, both vocally and orchestrally, with tho primitive emotions. Its orchestration is vivid and declamatory, with strongly marked motives that reflect tho passions of love, jealousy, and. revonge with a force there is no resisting, no misunderstanding. After an oxquisitely written preludo, which sounds a note of dire tragedy, thoro occurs tho beautiful

"Siciliana," sung to a harp accompaniment, 'i'urridu's answer to Sautuzza's pleading, after which a dramatic blaze loads to the rise of tho curtain. It is hardly nccessary to tell tho story hero, more than to indicate that Turridu is false to Santuzza (his wife) with his old lovo Lola, the false wife of Alfio, who, hearing of his wife's infidolity, stabs Turridu to the heart. The musical telling of the story covers some real gems, including Alfio's cheery teamster's song; Lola's Serenade,.a. very lino onsemble prayer, the fa'mous intormezzo (for orchestra), and Turridu'a drinking song 6. The cast was a sound one. Notably excellent was the Alfio of Signor Scamuzzi, whose abounding verve and dramatic intensity found free play in the role of the trustful muleteer. His acting when Santuzza discloses . Lola's treachery was almost uncanny in his viudictivoness, and throughout he held tho eyes of tho audience whenever lie was visible. The new tonor was Signor Lois, a youthful and likeable Turridu, with a strong vibrant tonor organ, powerful but all'octed, as so many Italian singers ale, witn a quivering viorato tnat is a disadvantage in a cantabile singer, but not su much bo in -passionate acclamation, iio sang tho opening auet witn santuzza udnnrubty, aiju roused the aiuiiouce to. eutuusiasni in tne uriniiiug oong, wuicu noa to uo repeated, bigiiouua ae Jttevars was inclined to overact as santuzza, and Jier tunal uncortauity .was norax au pieasing. cuguorlna. Hubs maue i-OUL a, Uiui uguio, una actea .tuo.ncs.io one imo a born couquet. v ocaiiy sue was at a uisauvanuige owing uj ner pronounceu uuwuio. ojgnorma i J iccoio ivas in tuo picture as Mamma iiuoia. ine opera-was meagre in mounting, out was diipiopriawiy urcoseu. Xno orcucsual worn ivaa uuiiunuiy eiueitont, anu tne piaying ui tuu "iuiermezzu," very uerlcaueiy siiuued, lousca tuo auuiencc to cncuusiasui, ana iu> repetition was peremptorily uemauued. tilgnor t_Uo--vaniu ijoiioaiuz conuuctou witu. nno reServo; aud • musical msignt. "I .Pagliacci," a'two-act opera, by Lconcavaiio. Cast:— jNeudu, Signorina Visoni Cauio oignor Baiuoni 'i-onio Siguyr bcauiuzzi bnvo biunor iiiippiui ueppo (Harlequin) faig'nor Laruntiui Leoncavallo may be suid to bo another one-opera compuaer. Tuougli ho lias written iniicn since, "! fagiuicci" is tuo one wort tnat wiu go down to posterity. .It is an opera tne narrative ot wlueu is broadly tragic ill a i.atiu sense, and its compelling ui'ainatic iorco gains by tno ■trageuy oeing enacted by tnose wearing tne niotiey of travelling comedians, anu the iatal denouement nappeus uuiing tho enactment of a littlo puiy belore the villagers, tlio plot of wmch so closely resembles tne real stato of things tnat thq leading actor, Cauio, stabs nis wilo (jNedda), and also hcr.iovor (fcjilvio), wno of. all tho crowd is the only one who can'SOß that Cauio is in grim earnest and not merely acting. There aro vivid contrasts in tno'line orchestration, wlucii by turns reflects the gambolling spirits oi tlio comedians, tho love, sighs ol' IXedda and her peasant flame; wnile a vein of tragedy is gloomed out by a striking tlieuie given to the doublo basses und bassoon. "I Pagliacci" was strikingly well cast. It introduced Siguor Balboni, a wonderfully fine tenor, clear, and suro in tone, without, a suspicion of vibrato, bright-coloured, and verj' poworful., Signor Balbon'i is a very aole tragic actor, aud his prepossessing appearanco mado an immediate; impression. His Cauio will long bo remembered as an artistic eifort of consequence. Signor Scamuzzi was again excellent as Tonio. He was acclaimed for his splendid singing of the prologue (which was encored), aud his fooling as the clown and' his admir.ablo mumming, when attempting to inako lovo to Nedda, was high art. The prima donna was Signorina Visoni, whoso sweet singing, girlishness, and- composure made her a favourite Silvio was well sung by Signor and Siguoi 'Barontini made a good Beppo. Signor Ernestino Gonsalez conducted. This afternoon at 2.30 o'clock the curtain will rise on "Cavalleria Rusticana with "I Pagliacci" to follow. This evening the company'will present Donizotti's masterpiece, "Lucia di Lammermoor, with Signorina Gonsalez as Lucia, Signor Capelli as Edgar, and Signor Belloni as Henry As'hton.