"IL TROVATORE"

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 53, 26 November 1919, Page 5

"IL TROVATORE"

BY THE WELLINGTON CHORAL UNION. To sing tho saiuo opera twice within half a year is perhaps a record for choral societies in New Zealand, yet that is what the Choral Union has accomplished in presenting "11 Trovatore" at the Town Hall last evening. TJio experi- , meat was a rash one, for interesting as the performance was in many ways, it challenged comparison with the last performance, and in all but one. respect ! failed to reach the standard set earlier in the year. The exception was the orchestra, which accomplished its alldemanding work very thoroughly and well. Although Verdi had not begun to realise the power and force of the orchestra as a colour in opera when he wrote "II Trovatore," the score is exceedingly melodious, and generally appropriate to the mood of the vocal music. It wns not until he wrote "Aida" and "Othello" as an old man that he showed himself bitten with the Wagnerian idea. To watch a warm-blooded opera like "II Trovatore" with every principal's eyes glued to the score, and practically everything in the way of passionate vocalism delivered with strict formality, is a cold-blooded business. Had the manner of last evening's presentation been suggested to Verdi, the chances are that lie would have considered the proposal an absurd one, for the Italians love "the colour laid on." and carefully eschew the great oratorios as vocal entertainments because of their rigid formality. They believe that we British take our pleasures sadly, and who knows but what they are right? Last-evening's performance was rendered interesting on account of the reliability of the orchestra—a rarity with the union—and Miss Teresa M'Enroe's t delightful singing of the role of Leonora, which was as sound and free a performance) in grand opern as has been offered by tho union. Not only does Miss M'Enroe's untiring full-throated soprano answer every demand, but she sings the pnrtivith the proper operatic flair, is always reposefully secure, and invests every number with its full meaning. It was a rare delight to hear her sing the scene and cavatina 1 "It Wa« Night" and "To Tell of Love," and tho fine duet with the Count di Luna in .th'second act was very well sung indeed. The "Miserere" was, of course, encored, and the duet with tho Count "Dost Hear Me?" was "reasonably near the composer's intention, Miss M'Enroo particularly ninging with l exquisite "delicnc-v and emotional appeal when pleading for the life of her lover. ' Jlis9 M'Enroe thoroughly desorved ,tho applause awarded her—hers was a remarkably able and stimulating performance. Signor Lucien Cesaroni sang the music of Ferrando, which calls for nothing save a gift for recitative and » correct idea of time, which the- Signor has, in addition to a finely-rounded bassbaritone voice quite at home in this stylo of music. The Manrico was Mr. Hubert CaTter, of Auckland, a curiously unusual type of tyric tenor, who 6eoms to use head notes throughout tho registers,., and as the result gets a forward tone, which has more than a suspicion of blatancy. His ultra-sentimentalism and odd twisting and clipping of- his words,

gave Inm an air of effeminate affectation, which robbed the character of its native manliness. That Mr. Carter has some sweet notes was evidenced in the duot with Assucona "Home to Our Mountains." but tho dramatic side of tho character was not so much in evidence as it might havo been. Mr. E. Blow did surprisingly well as the Count di Luna. He waa particularly effective in lecitntive, to which he gave considerable force and meaning. A. case in point was the very able reading of the recitative which leads into tho aria. "II Balen," which was also most creditably sung. Mr. Blow was not very much at homo in tho concerted music, but. his nicely-placed baritone voice—just inclined to thinness in tho upper register—was often heard to distinct advantage. Miss Eileen Driscoll was' not well cast as Azuccna.' It is a character—and it comes out in tho music—in which tho flame of insatiablo revenge burns fiercely, and tho role calls for_ an incisive, fury-possessed woman; which characteristics are not represented in Miss Driscoll's charming personality. For such reasons the famous canzone "Strida la Vampa" did not stand out, whilst in the gentle-tempored duet "Home to Our Mountains" Miss Driscoll sang very tastefully. Tho chorus, very weak in male voices, was not well-bal-anced, but thanks to a loud anvil and a good band the "Anvil Chorus" captivated, as of old. The rollicking Soldiers' Chorus had not much rollick, but the sweet-spirited convent music, and tho vocal accompaniment to "The .Miserere" were nicely-tempered choruses. Mr. H. Temple White conducted with his usual care and success.