C.A.S. MINIATURE COMIC OPERA

Taupo Times, Volume 11, Issue 78, 15 July 1953, Page 2

C.A.S. MINIATURE COMIC OPERA

Sparkiing Musical Treat According to the dramatic critic of the Auckland Star, anyone who wants to feel cheerful about music, or anyone who simply wants to feel cheerful, will find Pergolesi?s ^La Serva Padrona,, the very thing. The current season, during which the Community Arts Service company are touring the smaller centres, from Kaitaia in the north to Wellington province in the south, opened at the Town Hall Concert Chamber, Auckland. S'ubsequent press reports reaching the Times indicate that the warm welcome given the production ^ in Auckland is being repeated else where. Taupo's First Opera ? This C.A.S. success will be staged in Taupo on Thursday, Augst b, and it will probably be the first time that an opera has been produced in Taupo. Known as the earliest of all comic operas, ^La Serva PadrQna" survives chiefly by reason of its gay music, which today has vitality that carries it along unflaggingly throughout the hour of its performance. The present version is sung in English, and the N.Z. Herald critique stated that it was sung with a clearness of diction that justified the translation, and the whole production went on well oiled wheels^ Dqnald Munro well known as a polished singer, revealed a gift for dramatic work and was ably partnered by Mary Langford, while Roderick Horn was most talented in the miming on which the whole of his part was founded, Gay and Hilarious All reports of the production ih other centres agree in stressing the gay and hilarious nature of this miniature comic opera, which tells the story of a pert maidservant who by guile woos and weds her master. The music is provided by the C.A.S* Quartet, Antonia Braidwood, Colleen Doran, violins; Carol McKenzie, Diana Coleman 'cello; with Ronald Dellow, harpsichord. Taupo people will recall a previous concert given by the Quartet. Layton Ring is Music Director, and Margai-et Simmons the producer. Recalling the crowded house that greeted "The Circle" recently and in view of the popular nature of this be~ commg production, it would seem that another capacity house is likely. Bookings for C.A.S. members open Friday next, July 17th, and public bookings on Monday 27th.