MUSIC.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 888, 6 August 1910, Page 9

MUSIC.

.(By Treble Clef.), CalVflvApproaches. Calve, perhaps the most sensational and picturesque grand opera artist of tho present generation, ,is to appear in Wellington (at tho Town Hall) on Saturday, September 3—one night only. I um very liiucli afraid that many will be disappointed when they learn that only onenight of tho Now Zealand tornlias been set aside for Wellington, whereas Auckland is to havo three concerts, and Christcliurch two. The difficulty, I am given to understand, is nut that, there is any more inducement to favour Auckland or Christehurch, but Calve will only sing twice : a week under any conditions, and two concerts cannot bo fitted into "\Yellington. The tour is as follows Auckland, August 24, 27, and 30; Wellington, September 3;■ Clii'istchurch, September 5 and 7; Dunodin, August 12. The prices hero aro to be 10s. 6d., 55., and 3s. Tho pre-eminence of Calve as a' concert singer is. that she can convey all tho illusions of the lyric stage without the aid of costumes or scenic accessories, tn Melbourne, and Sydney, where sho sang in ordinary costumes on an unprepared platform, this remarkable fact was immediately apparent, and it was understood b.v tho local public that" a singer of surprising genius had appeared among them. Truth to say, Calve's interpretations of her grand operatic excerpts we're startling in their power and vividness, and it was no wonder—as in tho case of the sensational duet from "Cavalleria Rusticana" —that she'enjoyed receptions altogether unique in their enthusiasm. One gains an idea of' how great Calve must bo in opera when she is able to do so much on tho concert platform, in evening dross, and'with a pianoforte instead of an orchestra. Her voice alone does not explain tho fascination which she exercises. Her great charm is in her warm, impulsive, southern temperament, by which sho is enabled to impart such rich colour to the music. This is the power-which makes her unrivalled in her own dominion. At one movement she is soft and insinuating, at another moving to melting pathos, at another dominant and imperious. Sho gesticulates freely, and always gracefully, and the dramatic side of her art reaches at times so high a level that one almost regrets that sho did not choose the dramatic stage for her career, and be seen in the great tragic roles in which Bernhardt made herself so famous.

Sousa's Band. . Herr Benno Scherek informs me that Sou3a and his hand—the finest touring orchostral band in tlie world—will commence a tour of Australasia, beginning at Perth in April. Tho band —one hundred performers strong—is at present touring tho Continent with enormous success. It will sail from Marseilles in March next, and will play its opening concert of tho Australasian tour on tho day of its arrival in West Australia. Sousa has been acclaimed the King of Conductors, and has been decorated in nearly every country, which he has visited for his wonderful gifts as a conductor and composer,! to which may be added a highly magnetic perspnality. ; Strauss's New Opera. Dr. Richard Strauss, tho composer of "Elektra," is finishing a new opera at his retreat at Garmiseh, Bavaria, and the "Lokalanzeiger" gives some interesting particulars obtained from him concerning the new work, which is to bear the title "Der Rosenkavalier." Strauss calls it a "comedy for music," a title which, as lie explains, does not mean that he has created a now kind of play. Tho text is by Hugo von H'ofFmannstlial, and Strauss explains that lie has tried "to suit tho music to tho light, sweet character of Hoffmannsthal's poetry, the scene of which is taken from tho reign of Queen Maria-Theresa of Austria. This poetry reflects most wonderfully the rococo tone of tho period, and I had to follow this note in tho musical part. Tho spirit of Mozart naturally rose before me, but I remained true to myself! Tho orchestra is not so strong as in 'Salome' or 'Elektra,' but, on the other hand, it would not do to have it as small as in the days of Mozart." Motes. The Besses o' th' Barn Band is now giving a series of concerts in Sydney. Tho hundredth anniversary of tho birth of Robert Schumann, which took placo on June 8, 1810, .has been celebrated by musical festivals in most of the leading German cities. It appears to have passed without notice bore, but il; is not yet too late to do something in honour of the great composer, and (sn.vs an exchange) wo commend the matter to the attention oi' our singers and players.