“AIDA”

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 116, 6 August 1927, Page 16

“AIDA”

THE FIRST PERFORMANCE Thanks to the enterprise of the Auckland Choral Society, city residents will shortly have an opportunity of hearing Verdi’s celebrated opera, “Aida.” Were it possible to take a vote among music-lovers throughout the world, it would probably be found that of all the works composed by the grand old Italian master, Guiseppe Verdi, his opera “Aida” is the most popular. Everyone interested in the opera knows the story of its exciting premiere. Composed at the request of Ismail Pasha, Khedive of Egypt, the work was founded on an Egyptian subject—a strong tragic theme well handled by the librettist, Arrigo Boito, himself a composer. Nothing then could have been more appropriate than to give the first performance in Cairo. By all accounts it must have been one of the most brilliant nights ever known. Verdi, of course, was there to conduct his new work; Ismail, with a dazzling suite, led the elite of Egyptian society, and distinguished visitors from nearly all the capitals of Europe gave just the right, rich cosmopolitan touch to the scene. At first what struck people most forcibly was the magnificence of the orchestration. It was richer, more elaborate, more significant than anything that Verdi, hero of so many operatic triumphs as he was, had hitherto given. By the time “Celeste Aida,” the

triumphant “Ritorna Vincitor” and the “Grand March,” soon to be worldfamous, were concluded, the house was frantic with delight; and thenceforth, right to the tremendous end, with doomed Aida and her soldier lover proclaiming their undying love in the great farewell duet, the enthusiasm grew until at the close many of the audience seemed to have lost their heads. “Aida” will be given at Auckland for the first time on Thursday night, and also on Saturday. Under the capable direction of Mr. Colin Muston, soloists, chorus and orchestra have been rehearsing steadily for some time past and now have the work well in hand. The soloists are as follow: Aida, Miss Etta Field; Amneris, Madame Winnie Fraser, Oamaru; High Priestess, Miss Laura Walker; Radames, Mr. Birrell O’Malley; Amonasro, Mr. Barry Coney; King of Egypt, Mr. Frank Sutherland; Ramphis, Mr. J. P. de Montalk; Messenger, Mr. Robt. Peter; conductor, Mr. Colin Muston; leader, Miss Edith Whitelaw.

The box plan opens at 7 a.m., Mon day, at the E. and F. Piano Agency Co. Ltd., Queen Street.

Burton Holmes has written an enthusiastic letter of praise to Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack, the producer of “Chang,” Paramount’s jungle melodrama, now entering its fifth successful week at the Rivoli Theatre in New York. “Your achievement is the most notable in the history of our new art,” declared Mr. Holmes in his letter. “Greetings and tribute of sincere admiration from one who cranked the first camera in the Orient in 1899—0 r thinks he did.”