ROBINA BUCKMAN

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10298, 5 June 1919, Page 7

ROBINA BUCKMAN

The opera season at Drury Lane (writes the Auckland "Star's" London correspondent") was a triumph for Miss Rosina Buckman, the New Zealand prima donna. It was, both musically and socially, an event of no small importance. It marked in a sense tie beginning of the official or semi-official gaieties of the "Victory season. .No more brilliant audience has been seen for many years—pre-war years included —at this time of the year in London. In a Royal box, draped in red velvet, was the Queen of Roumania, with her daughter, PrinceSß Mario, and Lady Ounard. Princess Helena Victoria was in another box on the same tier, and there were many wellknown people, many brilliant dresses, and many pearls and diamonds in the boxes and stalls. The house was auito full. In honour of the Royal visitors, the Roumanian National Anthem was played before the performance began with ' Ethel Smyth's _ "Boatswain's Mate," which is becoming a popular ! favourite. Tho was probably the best heard yet in London. Miss Rosina Buckman was in excellent '■ voioe, and aoted with real comio force, i while Mr Ranalow and Mr Alfred ; Heather- —also in their old parts—acted ! well individually. Sir Thomas Beecham - had the orchestra well in hand, and it i ployed even better in "Le Coq d'Or." Tho fantastic spirit was excellently caught on both sides- of the footlights. There was tremendous enthusiasm shown throughout the evening. Saturday night's revival of "Aida" was again a triumph for Miss Buckman. She was recalled time after time at the end of "Ritorna Vincitor," in which her singing could stand comparison with tho many gTeat foreign Aidas whom London had heard. It was probably the. best performance of the old 'master's magnificently melodious work that Knglish singers havo over given. And this in spit© of the indisposition of the tenor, Mr Frank Mullings. He, however, managed his voice with , supreme art, and, saving it for tho grand music of tho Nilo scene in Act 111., did not fail to bring down the house.