MUSIC.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 846, 18 June 1910, Page 9

MUSIC.

(By Treble Clef.) Mclba's Plans. Mmo. Melba, on arriving in London last month, spoke of the enjoyment with which she had visited her nativo country. "It was," she. said to a "Standard" representative, "hard work for a timo—nine months' incessant touring —then a glorious rest. I have never felt in better health and spirits than now, and feel ready for anything. "As to my plans, after I have finished at Coveut Garden I go for a six months' tour of Canada and the United States, beginning in September, and, later, one through tho United Kingdom. So you see, I shall not be idle till tho new opera season comes round. It is very gratifying to me to hear that tho halls are already sold out in most of the big cities in the; Dominion." Asked as to her project for establishing an opera season in Australia, Mmo. Molba said: "I havo been working out the scheme the whole time I have been away. Things have so far advanced that wo havo already fixed tho timp and , place of opening our first season. That will bo in Melbourne in September next year. Mr. Lcmmonc,; who engineered my tour in Australia, has como over with mo to cngago artists in Europe. Wo. are not taking back with us tho first talent that comes to hand. Australia is going to havo tho best opera I can give her. Among thoso with whom I am, most encouragingly negotiating are Signor Zenatello, tho famous tenor; M. Plancon, the great French bass; M. Gilbert, M. Itenard, and oven Miss Emmy Destinn " • "And Mme. Melba herself?" "Yes, and myself. We only intend, so far, opening in Melbourne and Sydnoy, giving six or eight weeks in each. "The season will bo entirely devoted to Italian opera. Tho idea has received the most 'enthusiastic suppoit in Australia, where tho keenness to hoar opera' is so groat that at a concert of operatic scenes which I gave onco the stalls sold for threo guineas each."

Australasians in Europe. ■ News comes of Australasians who are doing well in Europe Madame Frances Alda is one of the stars engaged. for the present season of Italian opera in Paris, Caruso and Madamo Destinu being her colleagues. Madamo Alda was married at the end of April in New York to Signor Gatti-Casazza, tho opera director, now of the Metropolitan Opera House, New York, and formerly of' La Scala, Milan. Miss Lalla Miranda is singing again this season at Covent Garden, having been engaged/by thn directorate to sustain Gikla in "Rigo-lolt-o" and other prims donna roles. Miss Miranda, but lor her own illness, would have taken Madame Tetrazzini's placo on tho first night, when the star was too ill to appear. According to the "British Australasian," Signor Nora Dane-Valenti has had a prosperous, season on the Continent, and had great success in Russia at the begining of the month at Odessa, where she sang in "Cavalleria Rusticana," '.'Carmen," and "Lucia di Lammcr- | moor." Miss. Nora D'Argel .(Miss Nora Long), of Now Zealand, has been engaged for tho Boecham opera season in and is to create the soprano part in George Clutsam's opera, "A Summer's Night." Calve in Opera. The decision to extend Madame Calve's season in Sydney has led to some alteration of her future plans. The diva will not now appear in Brisbnno at tho conclusion of her Sydney concerts, as was previously suggested, but will proceed to Melbourne, where sho is booked to make some interesting appearances in opera, commencing at the Princess Theatre on Juno 25. Details of these appearances havo already been published in tho press, but it should now bo added that, besides being supported by Signor Gasparri and a competent orchestra, she will havo the assistance of further artists specially engaged to complete the operatie cast. Acts from "Faust" and ■ "11 Trovatorc" will probably bo enacted rind sung by the prima donna at her first performance, and subsequently she i may be heard in characters not previously impersonated by her in Australia. Opera in Italy. That famous home of opera, La Scala, Milan, would seem to have fallen upon somewhat evil times. For some years past, one learns, its receipts have been on the steady decline, and now it is said that the patience of certain influential imisie-lovers, who guaranteed the house against losses for a period of three years, is exhausted, and that they have intimated their intention not to come' :\gain to its assistance upon tin , same terms. According to figures which have been published, there was a deficit on the season 19071908 of some £1700, while last year's performances resulted in a loss of nearly £11,000, this largo sum being, no doubt, partly accounted for by tho heavy outlay attending the production of "'Elektrn.' , Tho annual expenses of the establishment are estimated at about £4-1.000, while tho subscriptions are stated to have fallen off, owing to Ihi! competition of other theatres. To meet future (wntiugeneios a higher subvention and increased contributions from tho box-holders have been suggested. Naturally the opcra-loyors of Milan hope that sonicLliing will be done tii improve 1.!n? position of alrairs. as thi-y would' regard thu dosing of La Scala as nothing short of a calamity, ;