AMUSEMENTS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10058, 1 June 1910, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

GRAND OPERA IN ENGLISH

A PHENOMENAL ORCHESTRA

This rooming the box plan for the performance of J. C. Williamson's Grand Opera Company, hpaded by the gifted singer, Amy Castles, will be opened at the Town Hall, Masterton, from 8 till 9 o'clock, afterwards at Miss Rive's. Coupons will be obtaionable at 6.30. Miss Amy Casties, ■ the incomparable, S'guor Zerga, and Arthur Crane are the principals, who, with Rosina Buckman, hold the weight of Puccini's , absorbing opsra on their shoulders, and by repct they are admirably equipped for the task. Signor Hazon has the direction of a remarkably tine orchestra fur the interpretation of "Madam Butterfly " The orchestra includes "six first violins (Leader, Mr Ernest Toy), six second violins, two oboes, four flutes, two clarionettes, three bassoons, four French horns, three trumpets, ;three trombones, two sets of tympani, harp (Miss Barclay), two celli, two bassi. Total, forty instrumentalists, all picked players. With the production of "Madam ButtPihV' nviJern costumes figure for the firat time in New Zealand in Grand Opera. Although the setting of Puccini's work is Japanese, and from that fact derives its colour and picti:resquene&s, the intrusion of Wes'ern civilisation is typified by the uniform of the United States Naval Lieutenant Pinkerton, the white lounge t-uit of Sharpies*., the American Consul, and the Paris confection »f Mrs Pinkerr.on There can be no doubt that in this there is the dramatic value of contrast, while there is also marked significance in it. Puccini weaves in the emotional themes, now American, now Janarese, combining Japanese music with his own Italian art. The Company, ho far, is enjoying a phenomina'ly successful season in Wellington.