GONSALEZ OPERA CO.

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2958, 22 December 1916, Page 4

GONSALEZ OPERA CO.

"CARMEN" "Carmen," a grand opera, in four acts, by Bizet. Cast:— Carmen Signoriha Russ Micaela Signorina Visoni Frasquita Signora Belloni Mercedes Signora Piccolo Bon J,oso Signer Cappelli 'Kscamillo Signor Scamuzzi Capitano Zimiga Signor Ce.saroni Rcmenlado Signor Petrucci Dancairo Signor Barouhni Morales Signor Mosca i ■__ And once more that scarlet flame among grand operas—"Carmen." Bizet's greatest success is now forty-one years of age, and it still ranks among 'tho most popular of grand operas, and the role is even the topmost ambition of every mezzo-soprano or contralto that .ventures into glamorous sphere of_ dramatic grand opera. music is extremely fascinating in its flaring flambuoyancy, and quite conveys the atmosphere of sunny Spain, Ho loved to dash the colour about, not in the faint opalescence of his compatriot, Ambroise' Thomas, but in those blazing primal colours that co-relate so exactly with the - unbridled passions of the. Latin. Prosper Merimee's graphic if sordid story gives full scope for one bold enough to brea knvtny from tho classical French stylo, which rather shocked the more, polite tastes of thr? French, public, but ravished a world. Carmen' is the scarlet woman, of all. times—the. ■woman of sin—and her reward is death. The hussy lures the simple Don Jose away from the pure-minded Macaela, after having stabbed one of her fellow factory-girls, merely as a passing whim, and having aroused his deepest passions,, throws him over for Escamilla, the bragging toreador. Don Jose is finally driven frantic by the lady of many loves, and ends the opera by stabbing her to the heart as the trumpets blow a fanfare in honour of her latest; flame's victory over a bull willun tho Plaza do Toros.

"Carmen" niui> be accounted one of the finest performances of tho Gonsalez Company, and the wonder is that its performance has been left to so late in the season. Enthusiasm was created last evening by the virility and flair of tho performers, who were most happily cast nil round. Signorioji Russ, whose capabilities are as an actress more than a singer, gave an exceptionally. fine conception of tho Spanish wanton. .. Physically she was all that the part demanded, languorous yet fiery, sinuously alluring in her posturings, flippant yet sensuous, she was .the very embodiment of the artful jade who causes •so much trouble. Vocally she was not so entirely satisfactory) yet even in that department she acquitted herself with credit, and displayed an upper register of surprising fullness and seadiness.. Hers is the best Carmen seiur in Wellington for many a year. Signor Capelh-also gave ot iiis very, best as Don Jose. His golden voice was admirably suited to tho music, and he 6ang the < charming ducts with Micaela,, with .fervour,., and vocal •beauty that induced a perfect furoro of applause. Very pretty, top, was his pleading in the flower song. ..Ho showed himself an actor of uncommon potvers throughout, and in the'final act,' where utteny distracted'he kills that .which hti loves, he gave a thrill that "was'felt by everyone. Tho Escainilla was Signer Scaimizzi,' whose high-pitched baritone .'was not so well.suited.to the music, but whose fiery energy' and magnetism ensured for him tho very liveliest"; anpre-, ciation. His declamation of tho Toreador's song in the second act, which was clean out of his register, was striking proof of the value of temperament when thj voice falls.- Ho shouted the verso of the famous 6ong in a curiously exhilarating and unconventional manner, but caught the favour of the audience with his tremendous vocal force on the last few notes. Signorina Visont was a per-' feet Micaela. 'She prettily suggested the simple, clean-hearted country girl, and vocal clarity aiid.strngth was never lacking in tho niueic. - Signorina Visoni sang the solo and duet (with Don Jose) in tho first act very sweetly, and was delightful to listen to in the big aria in the third act. Tho massive Signor Cesaroni was well fitted as Zuriiga, and Signor Petrucci made the minor role of Bemeutado .stand 'out"by~t)(o"forc'6'6f"his' dramatic sense.' Signor Piccolo and. Big-' nora Bclloni were weak" vocally as Fras--quitn and Mercedes, and the pretty duet for them in tho smugglers' cave went for nothing; The raggamuflins' chorus in the first act was cut out. The opera was splendidly mounted, and the. orchestra was in better tune than for some evenins past. Tho second performsaco of "Carmen" to-morrow evening should draw an overflowing audionce. This tevening "Faust" 'is due once more, with Signor Visoni'as Marguerite, Signor Belloni as Faust, and Signor Cacialli as Mephisto. To-morrow after the popular double bill, "Cavalieria Ens-., ticana"''.and "I Pagliacci," will be repeated, and-in the evening "Cjirmen" will conclude a notable season.