GRAND OPERA SEASON.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 14 August 1907, Page 2

GRAND OPERA SEASON.

"FAUSf.'." the Theatre .Royal was well iilled last evening, when Air Geo. Musgrove's lujyal Cirand Opera Company presented that weird aud wonderful creation, "Faust," a. piece that stands iu the front, rank of the world's opera. It was an ambitious undertaking to place on the stage of a theatre in a- place of the size of tills lowii, hut ill - Alusgrovc, who never does things hy half, believing that what is worth doing is worth doing well, presented and mounted the piece in practically the same maimer as lie lias done in respect of his seasons iu the big centres. Tiie scenery was superb and was iu keeping with the nmguilicenl singing and acting of the talented members of the company, whilst the imisie played by the twenty-two musicians comprising the orchestra was of an order seldom heard in the town, and ,for that matter, m the colony, and in itself was a rare musical tre.it -one indeed that was "well worth the money." 'the scene is laid ill Germany at a

period in the Middle. Ages. Faust, an old German student, after a life of meditation and laborious research, becomes disgusted with the nothingness of human Knowledge, and his own inability to unravel the mystic arcana of I nature, lleeviug outside the window ol ■ his study the lightheadedness of tin i maids and young men, singing as the\ i go to their wort;, he summons to hi: | aid the Spirit of Evil, who appears t(

him under the form of Mephistopheles. Through the supernatural power of the Liter, Faust is straightaway restored to youth, with all its passions and illusions, and is at the same time endowed with personal beauty, in return for] | which he signs his sonl to the devil. Mephistophlcs, as in a vision, reveals to him the beauteous maid, Marguerite, with whom flie student falls instantaneously in love. He longs to become acquainted with her, and his wish is

soon afterwards gratified, and he meets her corning from the church. Marguerite, cipunly noted for her loveliness and for her virtue, has been left hy her soldier brother, Valentine, under ilie

care of Dame Martha, a worthy but out ' very vigilant personage. The niaidon I at first rejects the stranger's advances, ] hut Faust, aided by the demoniacal influences of Mcphistophles (who is anxious to destroy another soul), urges los suit with sueli ardour that .Marguerite's resistance is at last overcome. Valentine, .Marguerite's brother, on returning with his comrades from the wars, learns wh:»t iias occurred; he challenges His sister's seducer, hut, through the intervention of Mephistopheles, he is slim in tiie encounter. Marguerite's reason subsequently becomes affected, and, in a paroxysm of frenzy, she kills her infant. For this crime she has been thrown into prison. Faust, aided bv Mephistopheles, obtains access to the cell in which she is immured. They both eagerly urge her to fly, hut Marguerite, m whom Holier feelings have gained the ascendant, spurns their proffered aid, and places her sole reliance m prayer and repentance. Overcome at last hy. sorrow and remorse, with an earnest prayer for forgiveness on her lips, the unhappy girl expires. Msphistopheles triumphs at the catastrophe he has brought about, but a chorus of heavenly voices is heard, proclaiming that there is pardon for the repentant .sinner, and the Evil One, foiled and overcome, crouches suppliantly. as The i accents of divine love and forgiveness i make themselves heard, while the spirit i of .Marguerite borne by ministering ani gels, is wafted upwards to its eternal . home.

The heavy and difficult part of "M"pliisito]»ln.'l«s'' was borne by Mr Julius iSungcr, ;>, performer of wondorful vo-'cc and hislrionic aUainment. His acting was a revelation to the audience. "Marguerite" was pourtrayed by Miss Mil. Harckow, a lady of fine voice and high dramatic power. Mr Richard Oeser impersonated ''Faust" with finished success, Mr Fritz Rnpp sustaining with <'.|iial success the part of "Valentine." The ehnruscs, etc., were'greatly enjoyed, as were the scenes, especially that of tin- garden of»Margucrite's cottage. The final scone, depicting tlic de;i,th Marguerite and the ministration of the angels, was as wonderful as it was snthetie. and was a fitting conclusion to a play which, viewed from every standpoint, is of a standard of particularly high lacrit.