A PUCCINI ENTHUSIAST.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 823, 23 May 1910, Page 2

A PUCCINI ENTHUSIAST.

THE EMOTION OP MR. G. W. MAR SH ALL-HALL.

. To what extent the musical genius of Giaconio Puccini may influence the musical is conveyed with interesting vividness in two brief letters forwarded to Signor Roberto Hazon by Mr. G. W. Marshall-Hall, whose orchestra in Melbourne is about the finest in Australasia. Before the Grand Opera Co. commeucc-d, lie wrote Dear Signor Hazon,—Welcome back to Australia! I hear your rheumatism is cured, and you arc well —my congratulations! Wo are looking forward to hearing the two masterpieces of your famous countryman, Puccini! I am quite gone oil his workfe. I went 30 times to see/ "La Tosca" in Berlin. Will you lot mo come, to your rehearsals? This young Italian had led the musical world out of tho blind alley in which the great Wagner had left it, and shown what a true and beautiful treatment of operatic subjects was still possible. "Butterfly" I can never even read through without being oppressed with the terrible emotion of the last two acts. And the love scene—how divine! I am looking forward with tremendous interest to hearing it all. Meanwhile- good luck, and a good orchestra to you. With compliments and very best wishes, —Yours sincerely, G. W. Marshall-Hall.

Mr. j. C. Williamson invited Mr. Marshall-Hall to Sydney from Melbourne, and he replies characteristically

Dear .Signor Hazon, —Thanks for your kind letter and invitation, llr. Williamson has been most kind to 1110 all along, and I accept his very charming invitation with the greatest pleasure. I don't know how I'll slip away, but I will—you bet! lam horribly excited at the idea of hearing "Bohemo," and "Butterfly." What a hnon and a revelation to us poor benighted musical bush-riuigers—hungry for notes! 11 Hoorali, for Sydney, and the opera.— Yours prestissimo, G. W. MarshallHall.