MUSIC.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 811, 7 May 1910, Page 9

MUSIC.

■- (By Treble Clef.) A New "Carmen." The Williamson Grand Opera Company is to appear in Sydney in Bizet's opera'" Carmen " this evening with Madame Bel Sorel in the name part. The prima donna appeared as Carmen at the Imperial Theatre in Warsaw, when Caruso was the Don Jose and Battistini tlio Escamillo; and one of her triumphs is her performance of the role in Madrid, where she was proclaimed as "inimitable and full of fascination and dramatic power." One of the souvenirs ,in the possession of Mile. Bel Sorel is an autograph portrait o< Caruso, who, iii signing it, inscribed it in Italian with his expression of admiration. Autograph portraits of Padcrewski, at whose concerts she appeared in London; of Puccini, tho composer of "Madam Butterfly"; and <-■ Massenet, who wrote, in glowing praise of her Cendrillon, are also in the collection. Mile. Bel Sorcl is delighted with her reception in Australia. "Tho people are so kind, so good!" she exclaims heartfully, when asked a question on the snbjeet. "And your country—it is so beautiful 1" Carreno and Liszt. As a child of twelve Teresa Carreno was introduced by her friend and ■ patroness, Madame Erard, to tlio great master, Liszt. Ho kindly consented to hoar the child play, and received her, with her mother and Madame Erard, at his rooms. In the room with him wero also tho three great musicians, Saint Saens, Plante (tho greatest French pianist of his day), and Jaell, a German pianist of world-wido reputation. Patting tho little Carreno kindly on the shoulder, Lisztsaid, "Now, my child, in order to make you feel quite at homo with me I will play you something first, and then you will play for me." And he played an Andante of one of Beethoven's Sonatas, as only Franz Liszt could. Then ho led the little Teresa, to tho piano, and sat down facing her, on the opposite.side of the room. Presently the child begjn playing, and as she proceeded Liszt grew more and moro interested, and fascinated, and rising quietly from his seat ho eamo and stood behind tho little pianist. When she had finished ho put his hand on her head and said, "Little girl. God has given you the greatest of His gifts to a human being —genius. Work, develop your gifts, and above all remain., true to yourself, mid in time you will lie one of us." These prophetical words engraved themselves on the heart and mind of the. child, as though written in fire, and nil her life she has tried to follow tho great master's doctrine.

Notes. A London correspondent writes on March 25:—"Madanio Mclha paid a flying visit to London last week to hear Stranss's 'Elektrn,' returning to Paris the next day. She is to tour America and Canada in tho autumn under tii management of Mr. F. Shipman. Her reappearance at Covent Garden in May is most eagerly looked forward to h-music-lovers, 'who missed her all last season from her accustomed place. Madame Georgiua Dclmar, a singer of some note, is at present visiting Sydney. Madame has. appeared in Covent Garden in company with-Calve, Melba, and others, and has: sung ."Carmen" on tour.- ■ '.-,/. ;