THE THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 223, 8 June 1918, Page 11

THE THEATRE

(Bv "Sylvius.")

Balfc and "The Girl." That "The Bohemian Girl" is lo ho sung at the Town. Hall on Thursday evening next by (ho Choral Union should interest all lovers of opera. Tho fact that it is to bo sung in concert form and necessarily without: action makes for n more vocal reflection of tho opera, as the acting ami misp pnsceno mean so much to an opera. However, perhaps the music alone is better than no opera at all, so f welcome the society's policy in introducing such noted works between its oratorio flights. "The Bohemian Girl" takes us right back to the days of Harding, Marlin Simonscn, and. later, the opera company- headed by Charles Turner and his wife, Annis Montague, with whom the old opera was a steady bill, running "Maritana" close in point of popularity. Win. Michael Balfe, tho Irishman, who wrote tho opera, was a curiously gifted musician, who hod an interesting career. His strong forte was melody—and real melodists only conio once in a decade. He had a scrappy musical training, trifling with the piano and violin, and then selecting an operatic career, ho appeared at tho age of sixteen (in 1821) as a light baritone in a. small part in "Her Frcischulz" at" Drury Lane, London. The following year he was taken to Rome by a wealthy family. His talent there began to find expression, for ill IS2G lie wrote his first; dramatic work, "Perouse," which was performed at (he La Scala in Milan, but lie did not forsake tho since, as ill the same year he appeared as Fifaro in Rossini's "Barbiero" in I'aris at a time when such transcendant stars as Konlag, Malibran. and Lablanche wore .before tlie public. Ho returned, to Italy, and divided his time between singing and composition, writing a number of operas never published, and long forgotten. During that time he married Mdlle' Luisa Roser (of German birlh).. for whom one of his operas was. written. Balfe must have been unscrupulous in character. for he had the nerve to disfigure tho works of PvOfsini, Donizetti, and other I masters by interpolating music cf his own, and eventually public indignation was aroused when he marred Meyerbeers "TI Cro-iato" in this manner, and as the result of the uproar he had to throw up his engagement at La Penice in Venice. .He returned to England in 15.1.1. and his opera. "The Siege of Rochellc." was produced with great success at Drury Lane. He then produced n series "of operas which made him the most popular composer of the day. These included "Amelia," "Falstaff," "Keolantho," and "The Boho-' mian Girl" (his chef d'oeuvre). .After a short period of brilliant success his popularity began to decline, and when ho died in ISTfI most o 5 his music had become antiquated. Of oil his operas "Tho Bohemian Girl" lias alone survived, and that only in occasional repertory companies. Still the work has great melodic qualities suited lo concert rendition. Tho cast, as far as one can judge, is fairly sound. Miss Gard'ner is quite equal to the demands of Arline, and Mr. Ernest Drake should grace the heroic tenor role. Mr. Clias. Moore will sing the music of Devilshoof (the leader of the gipsy bajid), and Mr. Ben O'Connor (an untried quantity) has been entrusted' with the all-important role of Count Arnheim (Arline's father). The choruses are tuneful aiul animating, if taken well up to time, and, having an idea of the romantic story, (which will be furnished on the programme), the evening should be an enjoyable one. Mr. Robert Parker will conduct. "Betty at Bay." . If you liko 6cutimeiit.il (very, very sentimental plays), "Betty at Bay" is something to do you good. People who like sentimental (very, very sentimental), plays just love Mrs. .lessio sorter's play, at the Strand Theatre, a'iii the others— tlioso who think that all sorts of twoet things ought to be rationed until the war is over and forgotten—will not enthuse about it even a littio bit. All the characters who enter into tho lija story of lletty aro dearly marked types. ..They are iit'e right suit', or they art, r.ot, and you can pick out the "angels" Iroiu the "cats" without iuquirying into tho family'history of any of them. "Betty at Bay" has the merit of being old-fashion-ed, and that in itself will be a great recommendation to many.—London "Weekly Dispatch." Miss Dorothy Brunton. Miss Dorothy Brunton, the Australian musical comedy star, has left for London under contract to lill a theatrical engagement there. She will return to New York to tako a leading role in a New Tori; engagement. This message is contradictory of the recent private cablegram that Miss Brunton was to return to Australia to resume work under the J. C. Williamson management. Evidently this was subject to her being able to secure release from the existing contracts, which she had not succeeded in doing. No doubt also Miss Brunton is desirous of going lo London to see her brother, who was recently wounded severely in prance, and is now in a Loudon hospital. Derek Hudson Missing. A cablegram has come through from England slating that Mr. Derek Hudson, who ioined the Aviation Corps, after receiving his pilot's ticket, with the New South Wales Plying School, is reported missing. Mr. Hudson will bo recalled os a member of the .1. C. "Williamson musical comedy forces. He scored a big popular success as the gipsy in "Gipsy Love." his line baritono voice arousing 'enthusiasm in the number, "Joy Comes and Goes." The missing aviator is ft young Englishman., Ke was trained originally as a mechanical engineer. When he finished his course he studied for grand op'i'a. and made appearances with' tho Becclmm Opera Company in London. When war broko out lie was eager to join up, and did so immediately upon the completion of his contract. His technical knowledge impelled liim in the direction of aviation, and he (Illicitly qualified for his "ticket." Notes. The wife of Lieutenant l'crcival P. lieed, who is reported killed or missing, is well known in theatrical circles as Miss Millie Carlton. She appeared last year in New Zealand as a member of the lioval Dramatic Company. Her husband, who is tho only son of M'r. Prank Heed, first met his w"ife when she was a member of Tom Pollard's Opera Company. Jack Waller's reorganised and redecorated "Look Who's Here!" company is to commence another tour of New Zealand at tho Grand Opera House on July 13. A season in Christcluirch will follow. Mr. Waller is at .present in Australia prospecting for new ideas. Mr. James W. Gerrard s book ' My Pour' Years in Germany," has, by latest advices, been adapted for film purposes in New York. The most stirring scene, wo are told, occurs when the Director, by skilful manipulation of topical weekly material, uses the Army of the Allies to depict ono of tho points the Ambassador insisted upon. The climax is reached when, after a contemptuous reference bv tho Kaiser to the United States and their fighting ability, there is thrown upon the screen a picture -illustrating the strength of the American laud and sea forces. , . Bavnrd Veiller s eerie play, llic Thirteenfh Chair'" (which J. C. Williamson, Ltd., has secured for Australasia), is beiii" played in 1/ondon, with Mrs. Patrick" Campbell in tho leading role. In Australia this rolo is to Iw played by its original exponent, Miss, Margaret Wycherlcy (wife of the authoi]'