"IL TROVATORE"

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 239, 3 July 1919, Page 8

"IL TROVATORE"

NOTABLE PERFORMANCE BY CHORAL UNION "111 Trovatore," a grand opera by Verdi. Cast: Leonora Miss Teresa M'Enroo Azuccna, Miss Mina CaTclow Manrico Mr. Ernest Brake The Count di Lu'jo. Mr. Leu Barnes l-'errando Sjsior Lucien C'es-.u-oni "II Trovatore," the most popular opera of the Verdi repertoire, was better known to the average coneert-goev of forty years ago than it is to-day, and yet, in more fortunate countries, where grand opera is as one's daily bread, this old opera, with its fearsomo plot and <h;anintic surprises, its beautiful melodies and stimulating concerted numbers, is never very long neglected. It even holds up its hoary head against the modern Pucciui-Mascagni operas in the land of its origin, and never u season passes in Milan but "11 Trovatore" is given stageroam at one or other of the opera houses. Tn a way the singing of "II Trovatore * by the, Choral Union was an experiment, as this class of opera has never hitherto been attempted in concert style. It is not flattering the union, its conductor, and those who assisted as principals to say that not only was the experiment a success, but the performance, judged as a whole, wns'ono of tho most artistic and ■satisfying that tho union (or its predeces. sov, tho Royal Choral Society) has ever given. In a very largo measure—more, perhaps, than in most operas-tho success of this opera depends on the capacity of the principals, and in that respect the union, being at pains to do Verdi justice, had the good fortune to assemble a wonderfully good cast, and in only oi™ instance was it necessary to go outside Wellington to do so. For once the union, "shaking off the yoke of inauspicious stars," refrained from importing a soprano, and allotted the trying role oi Leonora to Miss Teresa M'Enroe, who acquitted herself brilliantly, singing the trying-music with a facility, clarity, and beautv of tone that completely captivated tho large audience. What is so restiui and reassuring in Miss M'Enroo s is ■ her air of absolute security, which means musicianship and a rare degree of intellectual insight. -.Dramatically her instinct was never .at fault, and sho appeared, actually » revel in tho many concerted numbers, her fresh, pure voice ringing out asstrong and musical in the finale as at the commencement of tho opera. Miss M'Enroe exerted her vocal charm early in tho cavatina "It was Night," lind rose to fine dramatic heights in the trio 'which follows with Mr. Ernest Drake and 'Mr. Lou. Barnes, which was a particularly well sung concerted iiumbor,. probably as good work as has evei' | been done in tho union's performances. Then, again, in tho arias, "Why all this Weeping?", and "Ah, Can-it Be?" with, the impassioned trio which follows. In tho "Miserere" duet with Mr. Drake Miss M'Enroo sang with fine fervour, and tho perfect blend ot the voices and altogether delightful treatment given the somewhat hackneyed duet roused the audience to thunderous applause, and an encore had to bo conceded. • The'brilliance sho showed in the solo "Borno on tho Rosy Wings of ' Love," which concludes with a trying cadenza, endorsed tho deep impression her singing certainly made on tho audience. Mr. Leu. Barnes has never done quite such good work as he did last evening. The rolo of the Count di Luna is a very heavy one, but Mr. Barnes's vibrant, robust 'baritono was equal to all demands, and Hie performer gave ample evidence right through 'the mane of concerted work that ho had thoroughly studied tho music. His solo, "II Balen,'" was admirably phrased, and the long duet with Leonora commencing "You Mark Me" was an outstanding gem of dramatic voeahsm. Tho role of Manrico was sung with a great deal of natural charm by Mr. Ernest Drake (of Auckland), who is so soon leaving New Zealand for America. Mr. Drake is gifte'd with a pure tenor voice, which seems to improve with each visit. Thoro appeared to bo more resonance in his tone, and his enunciation last evening was certainly better than we have ever heard it in Wellington. He sang Manrico with fine confidence and case, and his voice blended truly with tho other soloists. Ho participated in t'ho ovation tho "Miserere" earned, and with Miss Minn Cnldow gavo very tender treatment to that pretty duet "Home to Our Mountains," tlio "delicacy and charm of which appealed immensely to the audience. Miss Mina Caldow, aiways artistic and reliable,'"sang tho music cf Azucena with distinction. She hardly realised to tho full tl)o dramatic 'intensity that lies in the solo "F'erce Now the Flames Glow," but'she told tlie story well, and her siiiging in thcAsecond act duet with Manrico, "if Not * Thy Offspring," and the duet with the Count in the third act wero operaticailyscund. Signor | Lucien Cesaroni sang the music of Ferrnndo, to which he lent weight nnd dignity. That he sang in Italian, with everyone else singing in English, setmed an unnecessary anachronism.

No chorus can bo considered a good ono that is ill-balanced, and if there are only fifteen basses and eight tenors in a reputed chorus of 200 voices, the result can never bo satisfactory. The male weakness was only too .evident in the popular "Anvil Chorus" ( : n which tuned bars simulated the clang of tho large in tho forest), and the swinging Soldiers' Chorus of tho third act. The contralto and soprano sections were, as 'r.Mial, in good strength and lona. There is iothing very involved in .Verdi's oiches--1 ration, aud the band, led by Mr. J. F. Woodward,' performed with more fieiurity than for a long time past. Mr. 11. Temple White is to bo highly cM.'gralulated on his success with tha baton. He held chorus and orchestra m indisputable central, gave the leads clearly, and used a beat that could not bo misunderstood. The degree of finish in chorus (ill-balanced though it was) and principals must be due to his control in a very large measure, and if his authority has such power of achievement tho union is-fortunate in its new conductor.