MUSIC.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 288, 29 August 1908, Page 12

MUSIC.

[Bi Tbbble Clef.] Mr. and Mrs. Mallinson. Wellington music-lovers will shortly have tho pleasure of hearing, two of tho most notable artists of tho Old World, in tho persons of 'Mr. Albert Mallinson, England's leading'song composer, and his wife, Madamo Anna Stcinhauer, tho celebrated Danish soprano. The fact that, as reported by cable published in tho press, her Majesty, Queen Alexandra, has accorded her patronago to tho 'sont; recitals in Australasia, indicates in a practcal way the high standing of these two artists, for this is tho first occasion that such a distinguished honour has been conferred, and under such circumstances. Mr. and Mrs. Albert Mallinson have appeared on .various occasions before her Majesty, who takes a keen personal interest in them. Of Mr. Mallinson, the London "Times" has said:—"His songs speak for themselves— songs liko 'Ostcrlied,' 'Valentino,' 'Alono in the Wood,! 'Dream of a Blessed Spjrit' aro creation, the liko of which do not come to us overy clay. They ring out bom of deep feeling, beautified and characterised by accompaniments that are at one with their poetic thoughts, and which give a frame to tho melodies. The songs by Albert Mallinson aro fresh, original, and spring from deep feeling. In his wife, the composer has found an exquisite interpreter of his songs. Mrs. Mallinson, who was trained in Stockholm and Copenhagen, and who has established her position as an eminent by extended tours in the Northern countries, is a mistress (Meisterin) in the art of Vortrag and in the use of mezza-voce. Tho singer, moreover, knows to a hair's breadth what slio dares do with' her delightful soprano voico, and she never. strains it. She has at her command tho tones of deep, soulful feeling. and throughout distinguished accompaniment of these songs by Mr. Albert Mallinson was a proof in this direction, also of tho sterling musical qualities of tho English composer." The Scarlet Troubadours. Mr. Edward Branscombe's "Scarlet Troubadours," who aro journeying to Now Zealand by way of Tasmania, have boon delighting largo audiences in Launcestou andHobart. They open in Dunodin on September 5, and aro booked for a season in Wellington, commencing October l._ Tho company aro reported by the Australian papers to bo not only excellent singers, both in solo and concerted work, but most versatile and refiriod fun-makers ; tho novel form in which they present tlioir musical faro_ has won for them most commendable criticisms. Their visit hero will bo looked forward to with interest, as tho delight afforded by Mr. Branscombe's Westminster Glee Singers is still fresh in tho memory of music lovers.

Notes. The revival of Puccini's " Manon Lescaut" last month was a memorable one, owing to the first appearance in grand opera of Mme. Cavalieri, who won a triumph by her beauty and art. Her voice is not strong, but sweet and musical, and her singing, though at first disappointing, afterwards, both in the impassioned moments and in the tender spisodes, bocame dramatic and sympathetic. Thoro was no question as to her success. After each act slio was recalled many timos (says a London exchange). The Chinaman is notoriously unmusical, and the appearance at the London Coliseum recently ot Leo Tung Fi, "tho only Chinaman who can sing like a whito man," was therefore something of an event. Mr. Fi has a resounding baritone voice, and he proved his versatility by singing an English ballad, a German song, anil an up-to-dato Franco-British Exhibition ditty. Jlr. Fi'informed an "Exprbss" representative that tho Chinese had no notion of voice production. " Some peoplo say tho Chineso havo no music in thorn. They are right. I got my training in San Francisco," ho added, "'from a Gorman lady who was once a great prima donna."-