"IL TROVATORE"

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 84, 3 January 1920, Page 10

"IL TROVATORE"

I WILLIAMSON GRAND OPERA COMPANY "II Trovfttore," it grand opera in four acts. Music by Guiseppe Verdi; lyrics by Salvaloro Canimerano. Cost-— Manrico Vittoria Lois Count di Litdi Carl Formes | Ferrando Alfredo Valenti I Inez lata Gamble liuiz A. Bcrnnrdi Azuccna, Vera Bedford Leonora Strella Wilson » "II Trovntore," presented by the AYilliamson Grand Onera Company last evening, is perhaps tlio most popular, if not the most impres.-.ive, work composed by Guieeppe Verdi. "11 Trovatoro is one of tlie operas cf Verdi'.; middle period, and it has stood tho lest of time wonderfully by reason of its strong dramatic story, 110 less than for the intrinsic beauty end charm of its music (which belongs to tho time prior to tho awakening in Verdi of the contrapuntal resources that lay within Ilia compass). Tho opera is veined with melodies that everyone knows, and which barrel organs have ground out 011 street corners for half a century past, and prn'bably will continue to grind out for another generation to come. Even hero in Wellington, where grand opera blooms but rarely, we have had several performances of "II Trovatore" during and since the war, and ono shu<ldeis to think of the deprivation that would have been caused had Italy stood to the' Triple Alliance, and the nius'c of Verdi was banned as some folk would havo banned Wagner! A couple of years ago we were privileged to hear the golden-thrcated Capelli sing Manrico, on several occasions, and last vrar the lor.il <"'hnral Union gave two performances of tho work in concert form—a sound test of an opera's popularity. "II Trovatoro" was first produced in Komo 011 January 19, 1853, and was a success from the night of its premiere. To como to last evening's performance, it was one that redounds to tho credit of tho company, and which gave a great deal of exalted pleasure to all lovers of Verdi. It disclosed, too, still another budding prima donna of brilliant promise in Miss Strella Wilson, wiho gave a very fine reading of the fair Leonora, who ioves to the death the troubadour, Manrico. Miss Wilson has nil the freshness and charm of youth, not onlv. in appearance, but in.her mimical coloratura soprano voice, which fluently and with rare suavity and sweetness overcame all tho vocal demands of this distinguished romantic .role. It was delightful to hear such a beautiful voice wedded to clear enunciation, in such exquisite numbers as "It Was Night" and "To Tell of Love." and a,sain in the , duot with filio Count di Lnni, x "Host. Thou Hear Me?" iMisc. Wilson employed a powerful cmnlfinal appeal that was very effective, "nie Miserere" duet never fails to clinrin, hackneyed though it be. Th,o duct was vcrv well sung up in a point, but Manrico (singing behind the scenes to a harp accompaniment) seemed to be sligihtly off true pitch. One striking incongruity lav in the fact that the lady principals sung in English and the men in Italian. In the opening Perrandn (Alfredo Valenti) san? in Italian and tlio' ononis in English; T.-conora snw? 111 Enjdifih to iho Count di Luna, and he, replied in Italian; and Manrjco made love in tho language of the land of sons, and Ins inamorata responded iii i-'iies.t hnglirh, which was somewhat puzzling to many. In Azuccna the company tound a striking exponent in Miss vorn Bedford, a strong, expressive mezzo who fang irtli plenty of spirit and acted till! role of the avenging Gipsy with commendable dramatic force, enhanced with ? articulation. Miss Bedford sang ej I** Va.mpa" solo with nlentv of force and meaning, and displayed some beautiful notes in the familiar "Homo c " nr d « et ' 'Wo JLmrico ot ilr. Vitlorio Lois endorses the alreadvcxpressed view that this tenor has made considerable strides vocnllv in the' ] M st two years. He sings with'great vitality and earnestness, and has some tlirillin'" top notes. His appearance, too. fills the romantic reo.uiremeuts of the role, and if nn could only liianaffo to vary his facial expression to suit the situation he would be bettering his art. Mr. Carl Formes made a handsome Count di Luni, but having sung every evening since the opening of the season, his voico showed signs of wear, and from tho front it seemed that lie had to nurse it to get through, admirable nrtist ns he is. Perrando's music was capitally sung bv Mr. Alfredo Valenti, whose sterling work in the introductory narrative, and in subservient concerted passages, won admiration from all parts of the house. The onera was well mounted throughout, and the orchestra, under Mr. Gn«tave Slapoffski, gave satisfaction to all The chorus, too, was well up to its work and sang the Anvil Chorus and tho Mueful Soldiers'' Chorus with fine effect. The male voices were also imprwsive m the chant preceding the "All, eli'e la Morte" duet, and .the ladies' voices blended sweetly in the convent music. "MADAM BUTTERFLY." stojy°f Puccini's opera, "Madam Butterfly, to be presented this eveniii" is as .follows.-.-Linelenant B. P. Pinkerton, of the United States a marriage with Clio Cho San lenown amongst her friends as Butterfly. Sharpless. American consul, looks iipon Pinkerton's alliance with disfavour. lie urges that what the dashing voung naval officer looks upon as mere pastime mnv be a very serious matter to the Japanese girl. Pinkerton laughs and goes 011 with his honeymoon. Shnrnless takes the opportunity of seeing Butterfly, and is convinced that she has taken the marriage, seriously. She. confides in him that she' has seeretlv renounced the faith of her forefathers—a step which means entrusting her future entirely to her husbend. After a month of happines.? with hie .Tnnnne.se wife, Pinkerton leaves for America, promising to como back when "the roV"s nest ngnin." Three vears elap«e. The curtain rises on a sadder little Butterfly, but one with fnitli unslin'kon in the return of her •husband. Sh" declines to listen to the misgivings of Suzuki, her faithful linitdmniden. who does not believe in Pinkerfon's promised return. The harbour "ims anneunee the arrival of the men-of-war. TCnw Butterfly's transports ltnow no bnund.s. She and Suzuki decorate the Utile home w'th flowers. She and Ihree-vcitr-eld lvbv. "Little Trouble." are adorned in their best. As ui«ht deepens t''" enrKin fil'<on the natl'olic figure nf Buftcfly, rigfd e»d motionless, wefch'ng fir Jl>e return c f the husband n-he hae forsaken her. The next dev Pinl.-nrfnn sees her, bn(brings with him the "irl w'inm he h"s married in Amerjci. PnUevflv benr= th» blow with ge'-tl" d.ieeity, but her heart is broken. .Mono ""(h her ."rent j-n'cf «he prnvs to her native gods—the f!e,| r-f (lie wllit'e Til"" lm'-ill'r fm-'-Yke" I>e r — l«l,-ir<» her father's swnrd. ".-hicb bonvc the inscrii.vfon. die with honour when one can no longnr li'-e with honour," tragically ends her life.