AMUSEMENTS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10060, 3 June 1910, Page 5

AMUSEMENTS.

MISS AMY CASTLES. HER APPEARANCE IN GRAND - OPERA. To-morrow evening Mfss Amy Castles will sing the part of "Cho Oho San" in Puccini's Tragic Lyrie work "Madam Butterfly." The yourg Australian singer was trained by M. , Bouby, of Paris, in the music or sixteen, operas, Vamongßt these' being "Lohengrin," "La Boheme," "Traviata,'' "Taunhauser,"" Massenete," "Manoni," and "Madam Butterfly." < As the ill-starred but devoted Japanese maiden, Miss Castles has recently achieved a great success in Willing- - ton. The inusic of the Puccini oper"b»:' suite her voice admirably; whilst she was studying operatic roles in Paris she was coacbed in the business of the stage by M. Valdigo, formerly a well-known artist at the Paris Opera House. The magnitude of the J. C. Williamson's Grand Opera orchestra may be gathered from the fol!o»virg ' list of the instruments that will interpret the great Puccini's of "Madam Butterfly"—six violin?,, leader, Ernest Toy; six second violins, two oboes, four flutes, including A. Arnadio; two clarionettes, including W. Give;, three bastions, four horns, three trumpets, three " trombones, tvpo drummers,' (tympani) harp, Miss Barclay; two celli, two bassi; total, forty.. This magnificent operatic band, will be under the conductorship of Signer Hazon, who will have with him, as deputy cor-ductor.-Mr Alfred Hill.The well of the orchestra in all New Zealand . thsatres will have to be enlarged to accommodate this phenomenal coterie of players. The scheme for grand opera in English set on foot by J. C. i Williamsou during his interview wish Signor Hazon in Genoa last ye&r hss I taken shape successfully. Wellinstcn has tested tbe first fruits in tbe Doi minion, and a wonderful result fintncially and artistically has been obtained. Now, on Saturday next, we ! are to have grand opera sane in the mother tongue in Masterton. Cer l tainly the forthcoming attraction is most important ! and distinctive. Signor Hazon will dirett an orchestra ; of forty instruments, : r Mr Alfred - Hill, the well-known „ co.oposer and conductor. The ; company number a 130 persons, and is absolutely identical with the grand opera company recently playing in Sydney. The - fact that so fine a player as Mr Ernet Toy is leader of the orchestra is sufficient to stamp the importance of the undertaking. The production and staging of the operas is in the. bands of Mr Henry Bracy. "Madame Butterfly" Will be sung oii Saturday only. .The plan is filling rapidly.

WEST'S PICTURES. OPENING POSTPONED TILL" WEDNEbDAY. The manaßement of West's Pictures, who bad proposed giving their opening entertainment in the Masterton Town Hall on Monday evening next, have been compelled, owing to the train suspension delaying the arrival of machinery, to postpone the opening until Wednesday evoning next.' The programme then to be submitted will be one of the newest and best. Details will appear in tomorrow's issue. Meanwhile, i reserved seats for Wednesday night may be booked at Messrs Inns and Goddard's.