GONSALEZ OPERA CO.

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2953, 16 December 1916, Page 11

GONSALEZ OPERA CO.

"RIGOLETTO " - "Rigoletto," a grand opera in four acta, by Verdi. Libretto by Piave. Cllflt:— Duca di Mantova Signor Lois Eigoletto Signor Pilippini Cilda (his daughter).'..Signorina. Gonsale?; Sparafucile Signor Cacialli Montetone Signor Alo^ca Count of Cepraio ...... Signor Barontißi Maddalena Signorlna Buss Marnllo ; Signor Cesaroni Borsa Signor Borghesl Ciovanna Signorina. Piccolo Countess of Ceprano Signora Belloni

"Rigoletto," the fine opera written, by Verdi at tho height of his fame, is based upon the noVel, "Lo Boi d'Amuso" of Victor Hugo, and was adapted by : Piavi. As in the ease of "Un Ballo," tho opera litis an historical interest, as the authorities at. Venice flatly refused- to approve the libretto on account of the unfavourable light in whioh the King (the Duke in tho opartj) is made to appear. The. management oi' Lo Venice and the poet were nearly orazed at this action, as .the season, was drawing near, and the opera was to be the big card. At t?ie last moment the chief of the police, who was a lover of the arts, visited Piavi and stowed him how it could be altered by changing the' King to the Duke_ of Mantua. Verdi accepted the alterations, and in forty' days wrote the opera. -Its success was as genuine, as any composer could, ever hope for, and tliei intervening decades between then (1851) and now have not been able to dim the beauty of this masterpiece. Tho argument of tbe story is simple,, and its moril is that a villain can be hoist by his own petard. Rigoletto, the Duke of Mantua's jester, help his young master to all kmd9 of excesses, particularly with women, the husband of one of which, In cursing the jester, sayg that he shall also suffer through his own daughter, Sure enough the amorous Duko finds Gilda companionable, and abducts her rrom. the place in whioh Bigoletto has concealed her.

Rigoletto hires Sparafucile to murder the Duke, and in order to prove how fickle a person the latter is he takes Gilda to the assassin's inn, when the Duke is seen flirting with Maddelena (Sparafucile s sister). There 6he hears Maddelena beg for, the Duke's life, suggesting that if ho kills the first person that enters a body ivill be provided to fulfil his contract with Rigoletto. Gilda, with noble_ self-sacrifice, then decides to give her life that the'really worthless Duke may live, knocks ana enters, and is promptly stabbed to. the heart. Rigoletto then calls to see that the work he has paid for has been accomplished. A limp body is brought in, Sparafucile pockets his blood money cheerfully, when Rigoletto hears once more the Duke carolling "La Donna Mobile,' and looking to see whose body lies stark before him, finds there, to his anguished horror, his boloved Gilda breathing her last—or rather with just sufficient breath for anotheß duet. The opera is a serious one, ruggedly dramatic in its music, and perhaps there is less of the sentimentally sweet, melodies so typical of Verdi th*n in any of the others, "Aida" excepted. The concerted numbers are extremely fine, but the choral work is of minor importance. The real protagonist ia Rigoletto, who is seldom off the stage for more, than a few minutes, and is a baritone role, which probably offers more work for. the individual than any other in the Verdi repertoiro. It was played last evening by Count Hercules Filippini in a manner that won that fine artist the warmest admiration. His strong .vital ■personality, his dramatic grip, and his fine vooal declamatory powers piade for a performance well .nigh perfect. It was a remarkably able performance, and Filippini appeared to sing with just as much dramatic gusto • at the curtain's fall, as lie did when it rose. He .was particularly good in the fine'song addressed to the courtiers of the Duke's 'retinue to help him to save his daughter, but is only laughed at as a jester jesting in dramatic mood. Excellent, too, was. his vocal vehemence,, in the "Vendetta" duet witli Gilda. 'l'ho soprano part was entrusted to Signora Gonsalez, who gave a quiet, ■ subdued reading, delicate in feefing.'but vocally too subdued for such an insistent orchestra. Signora Gonsalez has been heard in better voice, but rose to the demands of the love duet in the second act in good style, and sang the familiar "Caro Nome" aria in the same act with great charm of voice and manner. Signor Lois looked like Prince Charming iii the pantomime, and was a great deal more interesting to some people on that account rather than for his singing. So sweet and fair a youth did not look like the. sensuous scoundrel the Duke' really is. His voice is strong, piercing, l but stringy, and his well-devel-oped tremolo frequently had a flattening effect. Signor Lois was at his best in the duet with Gilda in act. . "La Donna Mobile" was fairly well sung. only. Tlio famous lilt was not even honoured by a recall, which was The small part of Sparafucile was splendidly sung and acted by Signor Cacialli, and Signorina, Russ was adequate as Mad'ellena. Signor Mosca • cut an imposing figure as the Count Monterone, but his big percussive bass i voioe wobbled painfully from sfde to side of the noto. The orchestra was quite equal ,to every demand made upon it The leader, M. ■ Tareynski, is unquestionably a great leader, and Signor Giovanni Gonsalez conducted with his .oustomary geniality and insight. "IL TROViTORE" AND "FAUST." This afternoon Signor Capelli will be heard once more m "II Trovatore." Those who have not heard this tenor should not miss the chance. This evening "Faust" will be repeated, with Balboni as Faust, Cacialli as Mephisto, and I Signorina Visoni as Marguerite.

Among the passengers by tho Riverina, due here oarly on Monday, is the Very Rev. AV. J. Lockingtou, S.J., of Melbourne, who is announce?! to lecture at the Town Hall.on that evening on : "The Church . and Nation Building,]' The Rev. Father Lockington is said to be one -of tlio most brilliant lecturers in Australasia, and 'the subject is one to which he has devoted considerable study. Before entering the. service of tho Church Father Lockington was a. public sohool teacher on the AVest Coast.. The children of tho Catholic schools will render choruses, accompanied on the grand organ by Mr. Gordon O'Meegan, of St. Patrick's College. Great interest is being taken in tho lecture, and a crowded attendance is expected. A GEEAT CORN CUBE. Bairaolough's Progandra oures Corns surely and effectively. Thousands have proved its merit by a twenty years* tost.—Advt.