ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 83, 2 January 1920, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENTS

\ ▼ "LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR" WILLIAMSON GRAND OPERA COMPANY. . "Lucia di Lammermoor," a (fraud opora. in three, acts, by Gaetana. Donizetti; libretto by Salvaloro Cammerano. CastLord Edgar of ItavenßWOod....Vittor ! o Lois Sir ilenry Abhton : Carl Formes Raymond ...A. lloeco. Sir* Arthur -Bucklaw...Drowning -Mummery Norman ; ...Charles Hettarn Alieo lala. Gamble Lucy Ashton (Sir Htnry'B Sister) Gertrudo Johnson As the grand opera season .advances in Wellington the interest;-increases. Assuming that the financial: returns elseTvhero in New Zealand prove as-.grotify-ing as tlicy aro here—will'that consideration alone will count—we may look to be included in the itinerary of the proposed permanent Grand Opera, Company which the Williamson 1 management guardedly moot ns n possible development. Actually such a desirable contingency lies as much, if not more, in'the hands of tlio "firm" as with the public, notably in its. duty to maintain certain standards. The public is, as a rule, acutely discriminating,l and. will not stand for moth-eaten mounting,., costumes, and effects which Jiavo probably been doing spasmodic duty for a quarter of a century or more, and they, must see to it that a high standard is maintained as to the number and quality of the chorus and its manutpulation. Thero, is no valid renson why the many storliiig old operas should not be "produced," as far as the choriu is concerned, in .the manner of a modern comic opera or musical comedy. Where aro now stiff, and formal lines and set groups, given as little action as possible, appro-1 prints' "business" and movements could be invented by the ingenious producer which would eliminate the stuffy, old-* fashioned air- from which complaint so many splendid, works aro dying, if not already dead. Tho operas of Donizetti, whose beautiful lyric work "Lucia di Laromermbor" was presented at tho Opera House last evening after a lapse of over a quarter of a century, are cases in. point. Here was a gifted and prolific composer (who may be said to bo the conncctinjj link in Italian' opera between Rossini and Verdi) whose works aro well nigh, forgotten. Occasiomvlly. one may be produced at .Coyent Garden; London, or tho Metropolitan ■Opera House,.New.York, when it is presented something'in the manner of a : stono axe being shown as an interesting relic of .another age. _ 1 "Lucia", is an operatic version of Sir Walter Scott's novel "Tho Bride of Lammcrmooiy'' and as it is, as a rule, sung . in "the language of its . composer (as was the case last evening) the spectacle of sieing'a chorus arrayed in kilts, singiaig a Scotch story in Italian to an English audience, has always - struck some-people as comically incongruous. In the ccse of tho AVilliamso'n company we have tho advantage of hearing .the whole repertoire in English, which is distinctly helpful to many, particularly. when the performing artists aro considerate in their ' articulation, luo slory of tho opera briefly is the hvo episode of Lucy Ashton, v,-ho becomes enamoured oMier father's deadly enemy Edgar of Ravenswood. Sir Henry Ashton is plotting to wed his daughter Lucy (or Lucia) to fair Arthur .Bueklaw, ami is furious on learnine from the girl's tutor that Bite lias a. secret lover in young Edgar. The yonng people meet clandestinely nntil State business takes Edgar to France. Whilst ho is away, Lucy's father shows her it forged letter indicating-tile falsity of her lover, and believing that Edgar no iougei loves lie.r, Lucia, at length succumbs to her father's pressure to marry Bucklaw. On the night the wretched Lucy signs the marriage contract in the presence of a. lnrire assemblage of guests, Edgar dashes in.to claim his betrothed, upbraids Lucy, and retires cursing the en tiro Ashton family. This turn in affairs deprives Lucv of her reason, and she kills her husband on- her marriage night, and then dies herself. Edgar,. filled withdesnair and remorse on learning the truth.- stabs himself. . , Again the company showed the richness of its resources in producing a third sot of principals strong in vocal, if perhaps not. mhistrionic equipment No artist this season has been accorded so vociferous an ovation as was given to Miss Gertrudo Johnson after the mad scene, in which occurs one of tho most difficult arias written for the soprano. Miss Johnson lias a refined and cultured coloratura soprano, flexible to a 'degree and nicely rounded throughout the regisiters. She sang the aria and .duet (with "Mr.- Lois) in the, first act with .appealing fidelity, 'and was, also heard to. advantage -iii the trying duqt (with.-Mr. Formes) of tho second act, and also, in tho climax of tho famous spstet, which was well sung, and had to be repeated. Mr. Vittoria Lois sang tho, music of Edgar with conspicuous success. • He. has a powerful vibrant tenor of penetrating quality, but is over found of using: his fullest power. That and tt> lack of colour nwde for tedium. Mr. Lois rut a handsome figure, and acted the role with as much spirit as the style of the opera permits. Mr. Carl Formes eang and comported liimself .admirably as Sir Henry Ashton; Mr. Browning Mummery exhibited ,an exceptionally fine Tobiisl' tenor voice as Sir Arthur-Buck-law, and. Signor Mosea sang the bass role of Raymond owing to Signor Talenti ■liavi'wr n relaxed threat, .Mi?** Isla Gamble anpearcd as Alice, -Lucia's com-' panion. The chorus was ragged in parts, and thovc! was 110 pretence made to mount the oiiera any better than the meanest convention' allows. This evening Verdi's well-known opera, "II Tiwitore," with Miss Strella Wilson as Leonora, and Mr. Lois as Mnnrico. will he the attraction. KING'S THEATRE. . The popular actres!) Constance Tnlmadgo will appear, .at the King's .Theatre to-night in a fascinating comedy-romance, entitled "A Lady's Name."" It is stated that there-is not :-a dull moiuont'in the whole of tho story,.'and tlmt all through the young-comedienne, justifies her rcpuhition as thejolliest, most charming,and most captivating little joy bringer-on the ■ screen. Clever, clean, and fascinating as i the storv is, it is "to the art of- the vouni star that its success is most due. Also Dromiscd is an excellent list of sup- . porting items, including No. 3 series of the popular Postmature Studies entitled "Watch. With- Me tho Passing Night." The Lyrio Concert Party will appear, for another"week in a complete chango of vocal and instrumental"hum•bers. Snecial music, will bo rendered by tho King's orchestra. Tho box plati is on view at tho theatre. Telephone 3113. EVERYBODY'S THEATRE. "Marie. Ltd.," which will he sliown at Everybody's Theatre tiwlay, is described as one of the best A Ira Brady bus ever done. An interesting love-story and unscrupulous business methods uiako up tho plot of this entertaining picture. "Marie. Ltd " is the name of a fashionable Now York millinery establishment, and dozens o£;;thc latest hats are a big feature t-f tho production. It i 9 staled that the supports are highly interesting. . EMPRESS THEATRE. Larze audiences again witnessed the screening at the Empress Theatre of tho first Goldwvn-Sclexa.rt production, "Blue Blood." a nowerful indictment against tho modern marriage of convenience. Howard Hickman is featured in; tholeadintr role.- Tho sixth episode'.of "Tho Lishtninir Raider," entitled "The Mystic Box." is included on the'programme. ■ I i