"THE BOHEMIAN GIRL"

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 228, 14 June 1918, Page 7

"THE BOHEMIAN GIRL"

A DISAPPOINTING PERFOKMANCB. After many years the niusic of Balfe'a melodious opera, "The ■ Bohemian Girl," was heard <it the Town Hall lust evening.' On this occasion the old opera, associated in the memories of older playgoers with the Martin Siinonsen and ilontague-Turner Opera Companies, was sung, or at least partially sung, by the Cliprul Union in poncert form. Deprived of Alfred Bunn's libretto and all semblance of action aud mise-en-scene, the work liecomes a pallid reflection of,what was, to measure it by the standards 'of its own period (it'was orgiually produced in 1843, a very charming romantic opora. Tho narrative- of "The Bohemian Girl" was-adapted frptn a romance by Cervantes, but that excellent spur to the imagination was rngrettaljly omitted from, the programme, which merely get out the lyrics (which were not those used by the singers). A strong casjj of principals might have held, the interest, but here there were obvious weaknesses, and the chorus work was lacking in spirit and never too sure of 'its ground. Add to this a lack of smoothness und decision on the part of the orchestra, and the sum total was one of the least satisfactory of the performances given by the union. Untoward circumstance was partly to'bkine. Mr. Ernest Drake, perhaps the most cultured tenor in Now Zealand available ior such work, was suffering from n severe cold, as was symFxtliotically expluined by Mr. Robert arker before the performance Ibegan. The result was that the music of I'lorestein had to be cut out altogether in order to allow the tenor some respite for tho music of Thaddeus (which suggests a rogret that one artist should have been asked to sing in two roles). Mr. Drake, who has givfen us some thoroughly pleasing performances, showed his artistic qualities in hie treatment of "When Other Lips," which was nicely phrased, but naturally, in the circumstances, .lacked the tonal resonance to give adequate expression to that fine solo, "When tho Ifair Lnnd of Poland." He was al6o heard to advantage in some of tho more delicate concerted music with Miss Holen Gard'ner, who was the real strength of tho cast. Sho has the operatic sense, and last, evening sung her mimic J\vith captivating sweetness and. expression— this in tho face of difficulties sufficient to create "nerves" in any sensitive artist. Miss Gard'ner sang "I Dreamt I Dweit in Marble Halls" with plaintive simplicity and charm. 'L'his favourite number was encored. She infused' a dainty vivacity into her 6010 in "Come with the Gipsy Bride," and much deliency into the fortune-tolling number, "Kir Knight and Lady, Listen," nnd later, "iSco at Your Feet a Suppliant."' The important rolo of Count Araheim wits (intrusted to Mr. Ben. O'Counor. who was somewhat over-weighted. His tone quality is hardly suited to operatic music, ■and in "Tho Heart Bowed Down" flattened porcoptibly. His tempo also was unsteady. That picturesque scamp, Devilshoof, who has eovernl effective "shreds and patches" of music in concerted pussapes, wan declaimed with pei-fervid vehemence by Mr. Clmrles Moore, who was veiy much at home in his work. The Qucwi of live Gipsies demands a dramatic soprano to do full justice to her music, and, in particular, to lend lifo to the recitatives in monotone associated with the role. Mrs. A. 15. Burge lias a. light and somewhat pleasing voice, which faintly reflected tho beauty of the solo, " 'Tie Gone, tho Past was All a Dream," for which sho was encored. ■ Mrs. Burge is to bo commended for her independence of the score. The orchestration of "The Bohemian Girl" is thin to attenuation, but there were occasions met evening when it wrk thinner than evon the author intended. The overture, familiar to all musicians, is a good one, and was well played , . The opera was conducted by Mr. Robert Porker, with "Mr. J. r. Woodward as leader of .tho oroheslra. ,