GRAND OPERA

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 449, 3 September 1928, Page 15

GRAND OPERA

“LA TRAVIATA” One of Verdi’s middle period operas, “La Traviata,” was first given to the world at Venice on March 6, 1853, two months after "II Trovatore" had taken the world by storm at Rome, and two years after the production of “Rigoletto.” Scop© for the display of exceptional histrionic talent and exceptional vocal artistry was afforded by this opera. The story is that of "Camille,” by Dumas, and contains all the elements for high-class dramatic acting to which is wedded Verdi’s music in his best vein. The opera is always considered a "test” one for coloraturasopranos, as the drama was a test for dramatic artists —no less a celebrity that the great Sarah Bernhardt creating the character of Camille (the Violetta of the opera) en the dramatic stage. Musically, as well as dramatically, “La Traviata” is a far better opera than "II Trovatore,” though this fact is not known to the general public. Some of the sweetest, saddest, and most touching airs that Verdi ever wrote are heard in this story of the self-sac-rifice of a Courtesan, and the death scene of Violetta, with its divinely beautiful air on the muted strings, never fails to draw tears from the most hardened opera-goer. Throughout the.work airs of amazing brilliance appear, chiefly among which are "Ah, fors e lui” (The one of whom I dreamed), and the “Sempre libera” (Always free). These two (really one) of the most brilliant of coloratura arias require a prima donna gifted with a voice capable of interpreting and negotiating brilliant and difficult vocal passages. One of the loveliest of the airs in all opera enters in the beautiful duet “Un di felice” (Rapturous moment), in which Alfredo and Violetta declare their mutual love. I4ke all great musical inspirations it is used by the composer throughout the opera from its first pouring out of the lips of Alfredo to his new-found love, until its final repetition at Violetta’s death. The company is fortunate in possessing in Olga Poletti, for the role of Violetta, a coloratura soprano, young and fresh, with a voice and appearance strangely and strikingly like GalliCurci, and she has the reputation of being, with Claudia Muzio (of the Metropolitan Opera, New York), one of the two greatest Violettas in the world. ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL DANCE A dance will- be held under the auspices of the Auckland Football Association in the Lewis Eady Hall on Wednesday evening next. The music will be supplied by Bartley’s Famous Band.