WILLIAZMSON’S COMIC OPERA CO.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1764, 2 June 1906, Page 2

WILLIAZMSON’S COMIC OPERA CO.

Gisborne playgoers are on Monday, ® Tuesday and Wednesday next to be lt afforded an opportunity at His e -Majesty’s Theatre to renew their acquaintance with the most popular of l all Comic Operas, the works of Messrs i. Gilbert and Sullivan. Mr J. O. Wil--1 liamson’s Opera Company presenting 7 Lon the first night that gem of romantic ‘ operas, “The Gondoliers,” on their , second night “Princess Ida,” and on the third night, the last from the pens , of these authors, “ Utopia Ltd.,” or E “ The Flowers of Progress ” It may not bo out of place to discuss the .qualities which have gained so prominent a place for the creations of Gilbert and Sullivan. It has often been attempted to prove thatthe main credit lies with Gilbert, and," indeed, the partisans of the brilliant librettist make out an excellent case till the Sullivan champions.ariso to -intellectually slay them. It is a caso of a pretty quarrel, and it is notorious that : neither accomplished anything in the same line worthy of recolloetion with- 1 out tho help and ontire sympathy of ' the other. The success of the twain working together is achieved because, f as the critique of the London Times c once put it, “ tho words and music seem to be the product of one brain.” This is so true that evoh those who 2 hear the operas for the first time notice ’ the absolutely perfect co-ordination of t | ideas in airs and lyrics. Take for in- 0 ] stance the song, “ When a Merry Maiden Marries,’ in “Tho Gondoliers.” oi

The whole thing is a gem. No othor musical airs could, the listener feels, match the words. But the truest marvel of beauty is the orchestration. On the comic side hundreds of felicitous I instances might be quoted. Mr Williamson’s opera season is limited to three Dights. On Monday “ The Gondoliers,” on Tuesday “ Princess Ida,” and on Wednesday “ Utopia Ltd.” ihe box plan for each production is open-at Mr Miller’s, aud filling rapidly. The company also introduce during their season, the jmuch - discussed “ Eadium Ballet.” It is a new effect

of visible daikoess—who shall say what is impossible on the stage ? Can there be anything luminous in pitch darkness ? The “ Eadium Ballet ” supplies a convincing answer. It ii one of the most popular items in the company’s repei toire.