IN OLD SEVILLE

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 222, 8 December 1927, Page 16

IN OLD SEVILLE

BIZET’S “CARMEN” TO BE HEARD HERE AN AUCKLAND VENTURE In selecting Bizet’s “Carmen” for presentation by Auckland artists on December 19 and 20, Madame Irene Ainsley has chosen an opera which should make a strong appeal to Auckland audiences. Colour, romance and tragedy—all the requisites of opera, particularly when the setting is in Sunny Spain—are present in Bizet’s vivid story of the wild and wanton gypsy girl. The music is melodious, at times rich with colour and gaiety, occasionally intensely sad and dramatic.

Additional colour is lent by the ballet music, which was added after the first performance. It is bright, snappy, and characteristically Spanish. Excellent opportunity is also provided for bright dressing, and picturesque groupings. Strangely enough the first performance of “Carmen” which was given at the Opera Comique in Paris on March 3, 1875, was badly received. The explanation given by many writers was that Parisians, still smarting over the war of 1870 and the siege of Paris, saw only a symbol of brutality in the vigorous music that Bizet gave them. Bizet left the Opera House a brokenhearted man, took to his bed, and died three months later at the early age of 37. Of its success since, however, there has been no doubt.

Madame Irene Ainsley will play the title role and with her will be associated Miss Nancy Hanna, as Micaela, soprano, Mr. J. Dellore, as Don Jose, tenor, and Mr. J. de Montalk, as the Toreador, baritone.

The orchestra will be under the direction of Mr. W. E. Webb and the ballets are being arranged by Miss D. Knight. The season will be limited to two nights.

Henri Verbrugghen will conduct the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra in its 25th season this winter. On the anniversary date, November 4. he will direct the identical programme with which Emil OberhofEer began the organisation’s career.