Welsh Newspapers

Search 15 million Welsh newspaper articles

Hide Articles List

8 articles on this Page

Advertising

POIITARDAwk - ALL)WEft CLEANINGS.I

FROM THE AMMAN VALLEY

Advertising

.PERFORMANCE OF BLODWEN AT…

News
Cite
Share

PERFORMANCE OF BLODWEN AT G.C.G. The Tabe/nnacie Congregational Church (Cw-mgorse) Choir gave three excellent renderings «f Dr. Parry's celebrated opera "Blodn-en" at the Public Hall, Gw^itaeaegurwen, on Thursday, Friday Red Saturday of Thur,?da-v, Fnc?a.)- ,D d SatLii- d -?ty of "lilodwen" is justly conskleuied by all Welshmen as by fa-r the fines t opera in the language. It throbs throughout with the very soul of Wales. In this admirable work, the feelings, the hpes, tho aspirations, the Ujgedy or Wekli nationality seenxs to find an eloquent expreasion. In the arrogant attack by the soldiers of King Henry upon "Gtell Maelor" we can picture the English attitude towards Welsh national independence. But a king's pageantry is only a passing show. The; king dies, as all kings must, too prisoners ar-e set free, and a, brighter dawn "breaks. We see and hear all this in the final scene of "Blodwen," when the gates of old Chesterga were flying open, and Sir Howell D-du is a free man once more. To do full justice to this opera re- quires three very essential t ino, a strong well-trained chorus a carefully selected caste of aatistea and a. satis- factory staging. These three conditions were fully satisfied in last week's performances at G.C.G. The choir waa made up of well-disciplined and well-cultivated voices, by far the meet of them from the Tabernacle Church itself, and the choruses and part songs were render- ed in good style, well-sung and very dramatic. Perhaps the choicest ren- derings were the male voice piece and the final chorus, which, b-- the way, is one of the most difficult choruses extant. As to the dramatic personae, nothing short of the highest praise is due to each and every one of them. Mr. David Harry, R.A.M., of Llan- elly, took the part of Sir Hywel Ddu, andl his rendering on this occasion was superb. With him was Miss Rosie Davies, Cwmgorse, playing the title-role of Blodwen. Miss .Rosie Davies has appeared in many operas before, but it is only fair to her to say that she never really "found her- self" as she did in Blodwen. Her singing was of a very high order, and the modest, winsome maimer in which she acted her tender part was very beautiful. Mr Owen Morgan (Chrmgoree), was entrusted with the part of Arthur of Berwyn. Mr Morgan has already won for himself many laurels at the local and provincial eiiteddfodau, but ft this is his debut on the operatic sta.go, as we believe it is, his success is more than assured. He is a good reliable singer, with a complete mastery of a very sweet voice. The part of Ellen, whom Arthur marries just before the battle, was taken by Miss SaJ Jones (Cwmgorse), and very effi-cientl- did she sing and play her part. Mrs. D. Rees played Lady Maelor, and being an old stage hand and a very success ful one, it is quite enough to say that she came up to every expectations and acquitted herself worthily of her past. appearairices: The Messengers were Messrs. S. Rogers, and Mr, F.ran Howell (Cwmgorse) both doing t,h.l¡ work very efficiently. Mr, Howell also played the part of Rhys Gwyn. and if any th ing was more succes.sful as Modold prison-wor jifather than as messenger. "Iolo" was taken bv Mr W. Leonard (Cwmgorse), as con- spicuous a success as anyth::ng in the t-lic) YAM Tanyrallt's rendering of the "monk" was a very rÜ'11 and effective piece of work. The "Tom Morgan" orchestra from Brynamman played the overtures and the accompaniment with its usual mh ),,C%Qqqbl qWq TiL h efficiency, and MT D. J. Evans, C.R.A.M. (Cwmgorse), presided at the piano. The staging was arranged and superintended by Mr R-eos Evans, C.M. (Cwmgorse), and his services contributed very muoh to the success of the performances. Mr Evans has already achieved an eventful success in the production of "Aeres Maesy- felin," whose author and producer ho is. Lastly, a distinct place of honour has to be found for the very able conductor. Mr W. J. Jones, for upon him fell the whole responsibility from Ilim fell illd w h o l -o r-e, the very first practice last summer to tho final fall of the curtain on Satur- day. Mr Jones' talents can be summed up in oce vi-Grd-thoron-crb- ness. His name in the role of conduc- ted- 1S a guarantee of excellence. The most eloquent testimony to Iiis abili- ties is the distinguished success of this opera. Tliifi district will look forward rraore oonfidpn tl v than ever to his next undertaking. Mention must also be made of the secretary whose silent and unseen energies have been abundantly demon- strated on this as on former occas- ions. In the long j^t of names of those connected with the qoncerta, eve.. of the T aharnacle Chutroh, there is no ono more respected and honoured than that of Mr Tom Rees Jones, the willing and hard working s'.x»retaay of so ma-ny of its achieve- ments.

- I CHURCH-MOTORING FINE.

MR THOS. THOMAS. GWMTWfiCH

CWMTWRCH