Page 17 - Palace Theatre News

The opera itself deals with a period which is somewhat difficult to portray in these times but
the Libretti has been brought up to date by Farnie and Robert Reece with the result that the
archaic character of the piece does not strike one so strongly. The music is of a kind which
fits all ages – eminently appropriate to the subject the opera, very tuneful and light, yet with
passages which rise to a higher level as the dramatic needs of the opera demand. The
chorus is fully up to the high standard set in past years by the Society, being particularly rich
in tenor and soprano, the musically speaking; the “space work” had been admirably done by
Mr and Mrs C. Slater, and little remained for the finishing touches for the musical director,
Mr Richard Williams, of Tenby, who took command of the musical direction about a week
ago.
A particularly strong cast of principals were selected to represent the chief characters. These
included Miss Irene Cameron, of Llanelly, as “Germaine”; Mrs P. T. Evans as the lively
“Serpolette”; Mr Charles Slater as Grenicheux” ; Mr A. W. Warner, jun. as the “Bailie”; Mr J.
Sandilands as “Gobo”; Mr Harold Howes as the “Marquis de Corneville”; Mrs Lewis as
“Christophe”; and last but by no means least, Mr J. A. Hill as “Gaspard.” The opera was
splendidly staged and mounted, no expense being spared. The general ensemble was
entirely satisfactory, largely as the result of the painstaking efforts of Mr E. St. Alban, of
London, the professional coach. The most noticeable feature of the performances was the
general evenness of excellence all through. The presentation of the work reflected much
credit again, those responsible for the supervision of the whole cast. Miss Irene Cameron, a
vocalist of high reputation in South Wales, scored a success in the rather difficult part of
“Germaine.” Her stage work was a conscientious and artistic performance, while musically
she sang the numbers allotted to her part very pleasingly. She has a mezzo-contralto voice
of excellent tone and quality, but with rather an unfortunate tendency to vibrate. If any
numbers were worthy of special mention it was the duet with “Grenicheux”, “Twas but an
impulse,” and the “Legend of the Bells.” For both of these there was an encore. A better
selection could not have been made for the part of “Serpollete” than Mrs Evans. She
displayed the vivacity which is such a characteristic of the part of the pert maid servant. Mr
Charles Slater was a very convincing “Grenicheux,” his fine tenor voice being heard to
advantage in the pretty “Barcarolle,” and in the various concerted numbers and scenes. Mrs
Lewis had not much singing to do, but she filled the part of “Christophe,” the lieutenant very
pleasingly. As the Marquis, Mr Harold Howes was picturesque and stately, but his
conception of the part was scarcely in accordance with the orthodox idea of the part, and
was somewhat lacking in dignity and animation. An improvement would have been effected
by the infusion of a little more of the grande manner. His singing, however, left nothing to
be desired, his rendering of the valse rondo, “With joy my heart how often abounded,” being
excellent, and drawing an encore, as also did his other numbers. As “Gobo” Mr J. Sandilands
supplied some of the lost comedy of the piece, and was very favourably received. The really
strong work in the opera was done by r A. W. Warner, jun., as “Bailie,” and Mr J. A. Hill as
the miser, “Gaspard,” Mr Warner’s conception of his part was admirable. It would be
difficult to speak in terms of too high praise of the good even work of Mr J. A. Hill. In the
chateau scene at night, and also in the orchard scene in the last act he rose to a high level of
dramatic excellence, and contributed a great deal to the success of the opera. The minor
parts were all very capably filled. A tribute should be paid to the orchestra. Mr Williams
hand under his baton a very capable body of players, with Mr David Reggel as leader, and
they gave a satisfactory rendering of the overtures, the entr’acte and incidental music and
accompaniments.

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