"FAUST"

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 31, 31 October 1918, Page 7

"FAUST"

WELLINGTON CHOHAL UNION'S . CONCERT. It is but fitting Hint the centenary of Gounod should bo recognised in some way, obviously by the performance of one of his works. ■ Gounod shed so much musical light on the world, wrote so much music of lofty beauty and direct charm, that the generations pnst and many to coino will do him .reverence. Tho Wellington Choral Union selected for performance last evening tho famous composer's opera, "Faust, which still holds its place anting (ho favourite grand foperas, and its beautiful and ever appealing melodies ,aud splendid chorales were heard last evening by an imdionco which pretty well filled the Town Hall. Without the miso on scene 'Tausf loses much of its dramatic and romantic power, and strivo as . ils protagonists may the cold formality of the concert platform is death to the moving scenes tho opera properly staged presents; yet it is pleasing to'hear the entrancing music for its own doar sake, and that doubtless satisfied many who know not the fu'eination of tko wort in its stage dressing. Tho worFhns been performed three or four times previously in concert stylo in Wellington, so that it was no novel experience to hear it once more "in bare bones." For the occasion the union eecured the' services of Madame Elsie Dnvies, of Melbourne, who eang in Wellington last year. Madame Davies, being essentially ii dramatic soprano, cmud ecarcoly be expected to do the fullest justice to a purely coloratura Tole such ns Margarita, tho music of which simply ■abounds in trills, runs, and shakes designed for coloratura singing, but ter experience stood her in good stead, ntd her performance (sung in Italian) was fairly interesting if not always inspiriting." The singer scarcely had. the measure of the hall, as there were several occasions when her voice failed to reach her audience. But when the opportunity arose for dramatic expression, full and unconfined, as in "Holy. Angel, , ', the richness of her tone quality in fhe upper register became apparent, and had its proper effect. Madame , Davies eang "The King of Thulo" in diminished tones somewhat colourlessly,■ and mado little, of the showy "Jewel Song," whilst m the succeeding duet with Faust, The Hour is Late," there was no sureness of touch, no confidence i:i her knowledge of the music. Of the principals, the soundest performance was tliftt of Valentine by Private Prank Charlton (in khaki). The Wellington baritone has sung fhe role before with distinction, and last evening ho again showed how well ho is suited. His .fine resonant voice was heard with pleasure in the tender aria, "Dear Gift of My Sister," and he projected sympathy of a rare order into the covatina, "E'en Bravest Heart." Private Charlton was also effective in the death scene, the preceding trio, "What is Your Will ?' (by Faust, Valentine, and Mephistopheles) beiu« ono of tho best of the concerted numbers in the opera. Mr. Ernest Drake, the Auckland tenor, was in excellent voice, and generally acquitted himaolf well iia Faust. If his voice is lectin" in warmth, it is true to pitch, and used with refinement. His ™ost suocessfiil solo was "All Hail Thou Dwelling Pure and Lowly," into wnieii ho infused a nice feeling of reverenco. His recitative singing was intelligently phrased throughout, particularly that which occurs in the opening scene, where Faust is regretting that all his knowledge will not restore hi<s youth , . Mr. Hamilton Hodges, who was entrusted with the music of Mephistopheles, sueceoded moro in a dramatic sense than vocally. He lent forceful charm-tor to tho sa'tanic role, and was illuminating in those frequent interchanges with .['unfit, but his voice became throaty as Iho performance progressed. Mrs. l>. I . Wilson sang the nmsio of bicWel. she made the mistake of singing When All Was Young" too coquet tishly, for Siebel in extremely earnest in his youthful passion for the fair Margarita Mr. l>. U. Lnvcock sang Wagner's liltlo bit nuite well. The choral work was spirited, f balance of voices was lacking. Ihe Milot lias settled male chorus singing here as elsewhere, and reliance hud to be placed on I lie ladies who rose to thsir responsibilities in fine style. It was gratifying too, to find fho orchestra, led bv Mr. J. F. Woodward, so uniformly Bind-in'Us'wort. Mr. Eoberf Pnrker conducted, mid must be given every credit for .an interesting performance.