ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 65, 10 December 1919, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS

GRAND OPERA REASON. Tho brilliant young Australian prima , donna, Amy Castles, who will play | Marguerite in "Faust," the opening production of tho Williamson grand opera season, on Dccomber 22, made her firstpublic appearance in Melbourne in lS9t).. and went to Paris to study with jMarcliesi and Bouhy, subsequently giving, concerts in London with brilliant success. • Later she returned in Australia, and was engaged by J. C. Williamson Ltd. to appear with tho firm's grand opera company, and her wonderful success in operatic roles carried out the predictions made at the outset of her career that a .. brilliant future awaited her •in this sphere. One of the most interesting features of tlio production will Im tho first appearauca in New. Zealand cf Ralph Frrolle, the famous tenor, fiorn tlio Metropolitan Opera, New York. . Mr, Errollo is a lyric tenor of unusual personality, vocal charm, and acting ability, and has won a high place on the grand - opera stage, by his performance of tha titlo role in "Faust." Of this perform, anee tho "New York World" • recently saidßalph Errollo was'a Faust sucil as wo have rarely heard. His voice is ; of rich quality, his acting most impressive. Great was tho applause that followed him throughout tho evening." Alfredo Valenti, the basso, who will appear as Mephisiophcles, is of Italian descent, and was a fellow-student of 0 olin MacCoruiack\it Milan, and toured with tho. world-famous tenor for tomo time. Other notable artists include Raymond Loder, Carl Formes, Tlwlrna Carter, Vera .Bedford, Frank Charlton, and Tom Mir.ogue. Features of tho production will Im a chorus of GO, and a full grar.a opera orchestra directed by Gustavo Slapoffski. _ Tho programme for' tho first w«ek also includes "Tales of. HoU'ma.n" (i'or the. first time in Wellington) on Tuesday, "La Boliemu" Wedn-Kday, a grand classical 'concert by the full strength of tho company on Thursday (Christmas Night), "11 Trovatoro" Friday,, and "Mauamg Butterlly"'. on faturduy. Box plans lor tho first six nights ,ot tho .6oason open at tlio Bristol on Tuesday morning. Applications in writin" Z ol ', sea k ;u '° invited up to ami including Saturday next. Box otlieo arrangements aro announced elsewhere.

"HINEMOA." ".liinemoa," by Allied P. Hill, the well-known Now. Zealand (.omposcr, the lyrics by Mr. .Arthur Adams, is to bo produced ill Wellington shortly, Aniong llio ballads, duets, and choruses that abound in mystic beauty are "Wake, 31 v Tender Thrilling Flute," "When the Tired Winds are Sleeping," "Over tho Waves," it duet between Ilinomaa and I'utanekai, aud tho famous "Ha-ha" chorus of Maori warriors. Tho jrcsentntion of. Jjiiy splendid work has been entrusted to All's, Ernest H. Queree. Tho production' in its entirety is being- carried out by members of lire. Query's studio, among whom are many, of Wellington's leading artists. The box plan ior tho concert opens at Ihe Bristol on i'riday.

AMATEUR COMPETITIONS. . For variety, the Vernou iipencer amateur competitions to be held at tho Grand- Opera House on Saturday next, will, it is stated, be hard to beat. Included in, the competition who have already' announced their intention of appearing are vaudeville aspirants, singers, sentimental and comic, dancers, sketch artists, acrobats, ventriloquists, and Charlie Chaplin impersonators. Besides the numerous competitors who are appearing, Tutchska's Jazz Orchestra will p'rovido this latest popular class of musio. intending competitors are advised to apply immediately to tho management. Tho box pians open this morning at. tho Bristol.