ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 66, 11 December 1919, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

GRAND OPERA SEASON. o Interest in the approaching season of grand opera in English, to bo given at tlie Grana' Opera llouso by the J. C. Williamson Opera Company, should be increased bv the very favourable criticisms of the performances that havo been given in Sydney and Melbourne. The season will open here on December 22, with a performance of Gounod's "l'aust. Thero are charms about the opera of "I'ausV which nialco its attractiveness ever fresh and insistent. The musical numbers grip in such a pleasurable way as to be ever and always pleasing. ■ lhe storv contains philosophical and moral lessons that nre in themselves alono worthy of tho utmost attention. Tho storv of the aged Faust who barters his soul with Mephistophcles for tho gift_ of voutli. and then ruins the innocent girl, will live in literature as long as turn lasts Tho music which tho famous French composer Gounod has wrapped around tho story has helped to malto it immortal. The principals will incluoo Jliss Amy Castles as ilarguerite, Mr. Ralph Errolle as Faust, ilr. Alfredo Yalenti as Mephistophcles, Mr. Carl Formes as Valentine, iliss Vera Bedford as Martha. Mr. Tom ilinogue as .Wagner, and Miss Thelma Carter as Siebel. - A-chorus of sixty 'jid a full grand'opera orchestra will bo of the production. On Tuosdav evening the first performance in New Zealand will be given of Offenbach's "Tales of Hoffman," a. fantastic storv set in delightfully melodious music. "I,a Bolieme" will be staged on tho following Wednesday, alio' on Thursday (Christmas Night), tho entire company will participate m a grand classical concert. "II Travato.ro" will be presented on Friday evening, and "Madame Butterfly" on Saturday. The box plans open at the Bristol on Tuesday morning, and a record booking is anticipated. AMATEUR TRIALS. Several of the world's most famous artists have first apeared .in amateur trials, and tbe Vernon Spencer competitions, to bo held at the Grand Opera llouso on Saturday next, are expected to appeal to local talent with ideas of making good on the stago. The number of competitors for Saturday's trials includo vaudevillo acts, dancers, singers, comedians, ventriloquists, acrobats, and sketch artists. The Vernon Spencer trials when last held were an undoubted success from all points of view, and tho next series to be given is expected to bo oven better. Tho box plan, at tho Bristol, is said to indicate a large houso for Saturday evening. HARMONIC SOCIETY. In tho Concert Chamber, Town Hall, on Saturday next, at 8 p.m.,. the Harmonic Society will conclude the present season with a programme consisting of "request" numbers, chosen from tho most popular ones given during the last four years. The choir, under tho conductorship of Mr. 11. Temple White, will be heard in ten part songs, including "Hymn to Music" (Dudley Buck, "The Lee Shore" (Coleridge-lay lor), "An Eriskay Love Lilt,' and Ay Waukin' 0" (Roberton); and for ladies voices-with accompaniment for piano and two violins—E!?ars 11}, Sin ftird" The champion male .quaitct ul the recent competitions will sing Who Ev'ning's Twilight" (Hatton), and 0 lWeful Night" (Ed. German). Mrs ].eg gy Jone-v.also a first the competitions, will sing > • (ho Night" (Tito Mattel), an t In Summer" (Noel Johnson). Mi. B. Yeates will contribute bassoon two bracketed numbers by Mendelssohn in the first part, and in the second pa a humorous piece, Lucy Lon„. box plan is now openjit tho Bnstol. "IIINEMOA." The weirdness of Maori music lias a fascination for all those who have once heard it. The pulsing rythill and sa\a„e eeslnay that fill' the body of the warrior as he chants his melody, and dances hi* haka, havo ken successfully convend into instrumental music ]>y Mr. Alnui P llill in his lone-poem, Hinemoa. The lyrics, by Mr. Arthur Adams, put tho finishing touch to a beautiful stoij. Tho "Ra-lia" chorus of . Maori warriors is a famous instrumentation of a liaka. The production is in charge of Mrs. Ernest 11. Queree, the entire performance being given by members of her studio. Tho box plan opens at the Bristol on Friday.

"THE" MESSIAH." The box plan for Handel's masterpiece, which is to ba performed on Saturoay, December 20. in tho Town Hall, by the Choral Union, will open at tlio Bristol on Monday morning next at 9 o clock. The cast of soloists that has been oilKQgcd is perhaps one of tlio strongest that the society has had for some years. Mks Teresa il'Enroc, soprano, will be heard for tho iirst time in this work. Tho contralto solos will be sung by Miss Miibollo L. Esquilant, who will bo heard for tho first time in oratorio. Mr. Walter Whvte, the eminent Australian, will fill the tenor role, while Mr. Frank C Charles has been entrusted with the l>aritono solos. For this performance tliero will be a full orchestra of about thirtyfive performers, and a, most successful performance is expected.