REVIEW OF NZ PREMIERE OF 'THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE'
"The long-anticipated production of Messrs. Gilbert and Sullivan's delightful comic opera "The Pirates of Penzance" took place at the Theatre Royal last night in the presence of a house crowded from floor to ceiling. It is needless to enter into an analysis of either libretto or music, as so much has been written about both during the last few months in all the newspapers of the world that everybody must be conversant by this time with Mr. Gilbert's intensely amusing mock-serious music with which it has been illustrated by Dr. Sullivan. Suffice it to say that the former is one of the happiest conceptions of the gifted author of "Pygmalion and Galatea" and the "Palace of Truth," and that the music is in Dr. Sullivan's most felicitous vein.
It must be studiously borne in mind by all who would thoroughly enjoy "The Pirates" that it is throughout intended as a caricature of the grand classic opera. So we find the absurdly solemn and grandiose music set to the most ludicrous words, and in the most laughter-provoking situations, as in the "Ode to Poetry," which is sung all kneeling, the "orphan Boy" scene, the various dramatic recitatives, the choral responses of the policemen. The whole of the music, as well as the plot, is a clever satire on the conventional "grand opera" and it is only by keeping this view that its wonderful wit and drollery can be fully appreciated.
Last night's performance may fairly be said to have been a triumphant success. There were hardly any of the hitches which usually attend a first performance, and this is the most creditable when it is recollected that this is a first effort, not only in Wellington, but also in New Zealand and on the part of the present company, who have never played together on any occasion before.
Mr. Cary may be heartily congratulated on the excellence of the production, and Mr. Wolf, the conductor, deserved high praise for his careful drilling of the performers. The choruses were remarkably good, especially those for mixed voices and for the male voices alone, the unison choral singing of the female voices being occasionally a little uneven, which doubtless will be corrected in future productions. The "Ode to Poetry" and the combined choruses of the ladies, pirates, and policemen were given with splendid effect, and the former elicited a vociferous encore, a similar compliment being paid to several other movements.
The principals were thoroughly versed in their parts, and acquitted themselves admirably. Mdlle. Murielle made a charming Mabel. She has greatly improved as a vocalist, and sang excellently throughout, not withstanding a little nervousness, natural with a débût in so important a part. She was warmly applauded, and several bouquets were thrown to her. Misses Johns and Wyatt were very successful as Edith and Isabel, but Miss Ward's voice was scarcely powerful enough for Kate's part.
Mr. Cary made a splendid Pirate King, and delivered his song with fine effect. Signor Carmini Morley was not in such good voice as we have heard him, except in his high chest notes, which he gave forth with his old clearness and power; he sang, as he always does, like a thorough artist.
Mr. Wentworth was a capital Major-General, Mr. Hydes an irresistible Police Sergeant, and Mr. Lissart an efficient Pirate Lieutenant.
Mr. Riverton's Ruth was excessively comic, dramatically, but musically would have been improved by some of the phrases being taken an octave higher, as the part was really written for a contralto.
The band was very steady and effective, the dresses very handsome, and the scenery so artistic as to win a "call" for Mr. Briggs.
In short, the whole affair was a marked success, and we expect to see another crowded house tonight, when the opera will be repeated.
"
Wellington Evening Post. Tuesday, June 28th, 1881.