"FAUST"

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 80, 30 December 1919, Page 6

"FAUST"

WILLIAMSON GRAND OPBBi COMPANY

' "Faust," grand opera in five oofs, by Ch. Gounod. Cast:— Faust Ralph Errolle Jlephißtopliclcs Alfredo Valcnti Valentino Carl Formes Wagner Tom Minoguo Martha "Vera Bedford Siebel Thelma Carter Uarguerito Amy Castles From time to time amongst tho erudite is debated the question as to whether grand opera or the orchestral symphony ranks highest in the musical scale; not that it matters a great deal, as both forms havo their own places in tho schome of musical accomplishment, and both are. or should be, equally appreciated bv those fortunate enough to hear ' them vear in and out. _ We, in Now Zealand, are, for geographic reasons, outside the paid of tho steady enjoyment of such ctolishts. and we sincerely comniiserato with ourselves on that account All wo nan do is to lie grateful for what little does como our way, hoping and believing always .that tho future holds (something better in tho way of inspired music than tho past. Thirty, nay forty years ago, more grand opera was produced in this country lhan during tho present decade. Then New Zealand was pretty regularly visticd by grand opera companies, such as those of the Martin Simonsen and Montague-Turner managements, and though the productions were poor and the orchestras indifferent, ,biicli singers as Elda May, Alico May, Annis Montague, Clias. Turner, Warwick Gainor, and others gave immense pleasure to our fathers and mothers. There was a long gap between those days and the coming of Musgrovc's .German Onera Company, broken only by tho advent of the Josephine Stanton Company. Tho Germans gave the NewZealand public its first real insight into the ugly beauties and overpowering mastprsliipof the Wagnerian musical drama*. Then camo Musgrove's Grand Opera Company with Arens, Berthold, Madame Rlapbffski. Lemprierc,' Pringle, with mors Hun opera, as well aR lighter fare. Mnsgrove did things well, and if for that alone his name deserves Tecallinc. Tho first Williamson Grand Opera Company was that sent over some ten years ago, with Bel Sorel and Amy Castlca as prima donnas, introducing the entrancing works of Puccini, and since then we had a pnod third-rate onera company in tho old Italian repertoire,' with "Carmen" and "Faust" to give Verdi relief, in the Gonzales organisation. About a year aro Mr. Frank Pdgo conceived the idea of playing grand opera in Melbourne with local and what professional falent was available. The support was encouraging but, alas, a 6coui'M shook the land and the stability of the company's treasury. Sn that when the companv did oppn in Sydney il was under the Williamson fanner and with suitable reinforcements. Th« is tho company which commenced its Wellington season, and incidentally its tour of New Zealand, at the Grand One™ Hon=o ; last evening in Gounod's "Faust. Ao ' composer onuld be expected to deal comnletelv with the legend enshrined in Goethe's vast and complex conception, but it at least provided Gounod with a paragon of dramatic plots, to which no has "iven musical immortality. It istho drama of the heart which smco the world began has been enacted between lb° man, the woman «p,7 tV devil 'Hie personification (it original sin). The crystallised episode extracted from the legend embodies all the elements of the dramu~the. man attracted to the woman by (he strength of primitive desire; his pact with Satan to achieve that desire; the fall of tho woman'at the impulse of tho tempter; her remorse, purification by suffering, and final acceptance by heaven. Gounod has poured into "his score a wealth of golden melody, so apt in its moods, so rich in colour, and so appealing m its humanity that to-day tho opera still stands as one of the most arresting lyno works extant, The performance by the Williamson Companv would not perhaps satisfy all standards, but it certainly pleased tho large audience which filled every available seat in the Grand Opera House last evening. Miss Amy Castles, in the demure grey frock, and flaxen plaits of Marguerite, received a warm, welcome, and sang tho florid music of _ the rolo with case and in places with distinction. Whilst the middle register is not so luscious and full-bodied as we remember it, tho upper register is still as goldentoned as ever, and the singer appears to revel in those passages which call for notes above the staM'. She sang the* "King of Tlmle" legend at the -.piuuing wheel, giving' duo emphasis to tho secondary thought of the -stranger that was running through Marguerite.'!-, head, and the "Jewel Song" was nicely phrased, though tho long shake l/efnro the rippling, refrain' was inaudible. Miss Castles made a plump and matronly Marguerite, and if her love-mak-ing did mot reach tho apex of glamorous romance, 6he enacted certain of tho ' 6cenes wonderfully well, notably that before tho cathedral doors, and the final" prison eccns, which involves the finest trio in the work and was most admirably sung. Mr. Ralph EiTolle cut a handsome figure as Faust, i and, gifted with a strong vibrant tenor, at times rather "reedy" in quality, ho 6ang some uf the music really well. His tendency to flatten was, however, rather unfortunato. and in tho garden ecena marred tho beautiful duet with Marguerite. The tenor was "heard to better advantage in the solo, ."All nail, Thou Puro and Lowly Dwelling," but went off pitch again in "High Born and Lovely Maiden," a solo any tenor should delight in singing. Mr. Alfredo Valenti niado, a fairly effective Mephistopheles. He did not always havo tho necessary vocal weight, and his articulation could bo improved. Ho was at his best in tho Cathedral 6Cuno, and in the mock serenade to "his Caterina." Miss Thelma Carter sang the "Gentle Flowers" solo of Siebel very well indeed, and Miss Vera Bedford sang well as Martha, and infused not a little humour into the old dame. One of the best performances of the evening' was the Valentine of Mr. Carl Formes, who has a big, free, natural baritone, which is under good control. He sang "Even Bravest Heart" with a good deal of Teal feeling. Tho chorus numerically is not 6tron?. but tho quality is good. Fourteen soldiers cannot do the "Soldiers' Chorus" justice, but with tho aid of a fiuo orchestra (which includes an artist on the drums), a very good show of force was made. Fdr the same reason the Kermesse music and waltz were not henrd at their best. The cnsfmilile includes a really capable orchestra of 23 pieces, under Mr. Gustavo Slapoffski. This is the best feature of the organisation. The leads aro good, and there is a nico easy relationship between all instruments, which, under able control, means good work. If tho attention can bo so divided the orchestra will merit attention. Mr. P. Solomons leads the orchestra with rare capacity. The stago management, ,which' was a little ragged last evening, is in the hands of Mr. Frank Kigo.

"TALES OP HOFFMAN" TO-NIGHT. Jacques Offonlwch's beautiful "Tales of Hoffman" is to bo presented to-night. It will bo sung entirely in English. Mt is .said to bo a true work of gonius, lull of grace, exquisite delicacy, and, withal, of a fantastic loveliness. The famous Barcarolle will be played by the orchestra, following on the third of the tales. The cast responsible for to-night's production willl include a ucwoomcr to Wellington, Miss Eileen Castles, srilcr to the prima donna. She will figure in tho rolo of Olympia, the Doll with /which tho hero of the tales, Hoffman HUlph Errolle), falls in love. Miss Elsy Treweek will be- Guiletta, the central figure of the second tale, and Miss I'atti Russcll-also to be heard for tho first time in Wellington-will be Antonin, the heroine of the final episode in Hoffman's love affairs. Other principals will be Messrs. Alfredo Valenti, Carl Formes, Fred. Collier, and Tom Mmogue, and Miss Thelma Carter. To-morrow eveniinr "La Boheme" will 1)3 played, with Miss Amv Castles as Mimi. Mr. Walter When Hey, tenor, will make his first appearance hero as Eudolpho. The box plans for tho second week of the ecason, will open this morning at tho Grand Opera House, at 9.M.