"IOLANTHE."

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXX, Issue 11637, 8 November 1887, Page 2

"lOLANTHE."

, * . ') We had the pleasure last night of , witnessing a full rehearsal of this t charming opera at the Princess Theatre, » and must compliment the Harmonic Society on the groat progress the per-> I formers have made in their various , parfcp. Almost all who are taking part j ia it appear to have a just conception j and grasp of the different characters, I; and render thorn in a thoroughly effi--7 oienfc and spirited manner. MrWanklyn, f of ETawera, who ia an enthusiastic f musician, has charge of the stage I mauftgeuient, and being thoroughly . conversant with the opera ia hand, the j choruses and stage grouping, which j form such an essential feature of comic opera, may be looked forward to as p affording a great treat to loverß of the r play. The stage last night appeared at . times a little too crowded, which tended 0 to spoil the effect of some of the 9 chorus parts, but doubtless this will be remedied. The orchestra is very full, '] and its members seemed t:> have worked . hard at their respective parts, bat oof casionally there was at rehersal a ten- , dency to play a little to loud for the strength of tha voices. The opening c scene, where all the fairies, led by 3 Oelia, Leila, and Fleta, emerge from the tt fairy glen ia very effective, the solos and „ choruses being well prepared and B pleasingly rendered. The Fairy Queen's B acting and singing are all that could be desired, her splendid voice being ad- . mirably suited to the part, The recall s of lolanthe where she arises from the c stream forms a beautiful scene, but we a muse not anticipate. "Phyliia, thechan,j eery ward, is in capital hands and the t acting and singing will form a decided 0 feature in the opera, the lady who represents the character throwing life and aparkle into the part throughoutThe L >rd Chancellor has a very trying [ srr, which unfortunately is rather low set ; it is intended for a bass voice, and K the gentleman who has to assume the character being a tenor singer must find it difficult to give full effect to the music- Ihe cbarncterq of Strephon, Earl of Mount Aiarar, and Earl Tolloller are in good hands, and will be well represented • We predict a great treat for nil who patronise the opera, and hope a the eociety will be rewarded with 1 bumper houses to rcpiy them for the j immense amount of work the members f must have gone through to have arrived at such a state of general effioienoy.