OPERA v. JAZZ.

Hutt News, Volume 2, Issue 44, 10 April 1930, Page 2

OPERA v. JAZZ.

A ;very fair .audience greeted the Hutt Valley Dramatic and Operatic Society's production of "Opera v, Jazz at St. James's Hall on Tuesday night, and certainly great credit is due to the producer, Mr. Assheton Harbord for his courage in organising such an entertainment. Thp programme- began with. Prologiie, "J'Pagliacci" (Leoncavallo), by Mr. Harbord. Mr. Harbord has a voice of rare timbre, both in singing and speaking and his enunciation is a delight. Next was a .soprano, solo Walt!: Song, "Tom Jones" (German), by Mrs But gess, who has a, most pleasing lyric soprano. voice. Her rendering was a little uncertain at first, but, quite charming as she got more into the^ spirit of that fascinating lilt. Next came a violin solo Meditation "Thais" (Massenet), by Miss Marjoi-ie Fletcher, who gave quite a spirited performance of this rather involved composition, after which Mi". Fordie was heard in two operatic numbers Arise "I'Page!liaeci" (Leoncavallo) and La Donne E Mobile " Rigoletto' > (Verdi). Mr Fordie has a fine tenor voice and his dramatic interpretation of these numbers v»as very satisfying, but an indistinctness of enunciation somewihatf marred hi 3 rendering. Miss Helen Henderson (contralto) then sang the Becit. and Aria, My Heart Is Weary "Na&eschcla" (Thomas). Miss Henderson's voice is of a pleasing quality, but was tkret ty, x and this difficult aria proved dramatically rather beyond Miss Hen-

chmvoii. Then came a cJiatming "Toe Br.llet" by five most dainty pink and ilver maidens, who were presented—ot rather who had a box of flowers pushed across the stage at theni—just before it was too late! And so ended the * ' open..'' half of the programme.

The next half began with a most amusing sketch "Between the Soup ani The Savoury" by-Lou Morrison I (kitchen-maid), Helen Henderson (coot); and Elsie Whittaker (parlowrrCafih. "Miss Morrison's wasamost cxi ce'lont representation, of a romantic little kitchenmaid w&ose amorous dfoaras prove a constant source of trouj blc in the practical—and caustic! — I'eci.JnY of the kitchen. Miss Henderson, I the cook, is at first very scathing about I fh-i* little kitchen maid's chance of getI tiii,T a "young man," but melts, in truly motherly fashion, when that poor unj'.oj: lunate waif appeals to her sympathies. The- " cook" and parlourmaid acted their respective parts in very realistic manner. The next charming I item was a, concerted one "You Pays i Your Money," by Mrs Burgess and the Society, a gay little ditty in which Mrs.. Burgess's pleasing voice took the lead. The elocutionary item wihieh followed, "The Burglar," by Miss Morrir son, /was most entertaining and. amusing, and after this came "Mixed Jazz" rby the orchestra.- Of course, to persons not inured to "Jazz" (sueh_as the "Operaites" present), this item proved disquieting in the extreme. Two vivacious duets by Mr. Harbord and Mr. ' Fordie followed, the next item' being Duo Scena: "Souvenirs," being the plaint of a love-sick maiden: It was quite to"o melting! A very much appreciated Dance Trio l' Russian, followed, the dainty dancers, who wore Russian peasant, costumes, were Misses Pope, Gillan and Staples. The primi-" tive rhythm of this dance was most captivating. This dance jwas arranged by Miss "Bartps?i. Hen came some realistic cannibal ditties, the performers' habilments being most gruesome. Then a dainty maid of some nine years cap-, tivated her audience by her skipping display, and was the recipient of a tiny posy. Mr. Harbord was the next performer, but that performance was of a most, illusive character—-but it was, as the programme claimed—"Something

Fresih!" Then the "Jazzites" and

'-' Operaites'' were asked to declare themselves (by vote!) the Tesult of that declaration being that the preference of the Hutt residents is for "Jazz"— 76 to 33! So-noWrVe understand w-hy the Choral Society has become defunct. Then—to the discomfiture of the defeated ones—followed more" Jazz, certed item by the Society, after which the National Anthem brought a most ■successful and entertaining, evening to

a close.