MUSIC.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 894, 13 August 1910, Page 9

MUSIC.

1 .{By Treble Clef.). Big Attractions Ahead. Without any official announcement having been mado it is pretty well known that next year and the one following wiii sec some vory big musical attractions iu Australia and Xcw Zealand. Indeed, if the scheme is anything liko as big as is rumoured, tho new vonturo will be sensational. It is said that Sousa and his band—which is to commence a tour of Australia ao Perth in April next—will be the 'forerunner of several great attractions to be introduced to tho Australian public by a syndicate having certain artists of the very highest , standard- under its control. These artists will probably include Mischa Elman, the "wonder" violinist, whoso career so far has been a remarkably brilliant one; Tetrazzini, whoso sensational appearance at Covent Garden four years ago is .still fresh in the musicai memory; Caruso, the greatest tenor robusto the world has known; and ihe opera "Elektra," with its composer, Richard Strauss, as conductor. Such a galaxy of dazzling artists almost blinds one, and if they do materialise it will mean a great musical awakening in this country. Mischa Elman Coming. Tho London critics again wrote glowingly last month of the violin-playing of Mischa. Ebuan—the accuracy of, his technique and the abundance of it; the beauty, roundness, and clearness of his tone; and the masterly ease of his playing, combined with a thorough and complete, as well as infectious, enjoy- , ment of the music played. He gave a concert at Queen's flail, when he and Mr. Richard Epstein, as his coadjutor at the pianoforte, gave their hearers a charming account of Carl Goldmark's first suite —and Broch's Second Concerto, in t> minor. The young violinist was received very enthusiastically. Mischa Elman will probably viait Australasia next 'winter. . An Australian Opsra. .Australians- and New Zealanders should be proud of George H. Clutsani, who has had an opera performed in London. - - Claimed as a Victorian, Mr. Clutsan; was born in Sydney. Showing extraordinary musical talent when a child, he toured New Zealand as a prodigy. The^ clever boy pianist'shortly afterivards claimed recognition as a. composer. In 1830 he went to -New Zealand as a teacher of music, and spent several years in Auckland. After A brief resiuonce in Melbourne tho energetic and ambitious musician went on it concert totir through India, China, and Japan, with other Australians. 'The. year 1889 found Mr. Clutsani in London. . There ho worked his way to the front as an accompanist! and afterwards as an orchestral conductor.

Air. Olutsairi is credited with having written nioro than 200 songs, several orchestral suites, and many pianoforte pieces. : Madame. Ada Crossley has a doKcn, of Mr. Glutsam's'songs'in,her repertoire. The iiews of the production of "A Summer Night' , at. His .Majesty's Theatre, London, ",vas received by cable recently. Tn all probability, it is a ligjht opera, and the enterprising Mr. Thomasi Beecham mav have introduced it. to. the ; London 'public. Mr. Bcenhaih had a lease of His Majesty's Theatre for the performance of light opera after his big season of grand opera. In getting "A Summer Night" 'staged, in- London, Mr. Clutsani has stolen a march on Mr. Alfred Hill, the New, Zealand composer. Towards the end of last year arrangements woro "almost completed" for the production of "Tho Moorish Maid." Miss Rosina Bucl-mann, who is now with tho Williamson Grand Opera .Company, was to '.liavo gono to London to sing the principal, part, in '-'The Moorish Maid." '

Iris do Cairos Rego. ~ Miss Iris do Cairos Rego returned to Sydney last week by the Otway, accompanied by. her mother. The. talent cd young pianist has, spent the past, three years iu Berlin, completing her studies under tho famous Alberto Jonas; and notices of her playing published in various Gorman newspapers show that sho has developed-into a lhiislied pianist. Alberto Jonas, who is a Spaniard, has won a great .reputation in Germany, and has tie honour of having been a. pupil of the mighty Rubinstein.' 'At the .conclusion of her studios tho young Sydney girl niado several notable appearances, when she received , exceptionally good notices. The "Gorlitzer Anzeiger" stated that "fcho expectations concerning the pianist wcro not only completely ana wholly -filled, but wero. far exceeded. What tho artist gave stood out prominently as a first-class performance which both in technique and , concoction may rank with work of experienced artists." . ■ : "The Dream of Gorontlus." Satisfactory progress is being mado with Elgar's great work, "The Dream of Gerontius," by the 'WellingtonChoral Society, under the , baton.of Mr. Maughan Barnett. The work is quite an inspiring one to rehearse, and ass advances are made into tho score the great depth and beauty of tlie music become i apparent. Tho society intends to add' to its vocal strength for this performance, as hi some' parts there are great double choruses, the full effect of which can only bo. obtained by a big choir. Tenors, as usual, arc scarce, and Mr. Barnett would like to hear from any who would care to become associated with the. notable work now in rehearsal. ■ . Mr. Doris Hambourg's 'Cello-Playing. Mr. Boris Hambourg, who came to Australia with his brother Mark some years ago, arid then impressed audiences in this! part of the world with .hi's promise as a 'cellist, received glowing praise from the London critics tho other day when ho appeared at the Aeolian Hall. "He deserves," says-tho "Daily Telegraph/ , , "the position .to wbich h*o has attained, for not only is ho a very ablo executant and an excellent artist, but lie also invariably takes tho trouble to make his programmo interesting." The" "Standard" observes that "there arc few artists of the present day who can make the 'cello speak in such eloquent tones. If his playing is marked by no particular virility, it. is distinguished. by a suave, sensitive, tone, facility of execution, and neat' phrasing that invest his interpretations with decided charm." Tho artist brought forward two gavottes (arranged liy-lumself and Moffat from original editions for 'cello and figured bass) by (riaco'mo Cervetto and Stefnno Galeott-i, both famous 'cellists of the eighteenth century, the fiuo'Sonata, by the- eighteenth century Dutch composer, Willem Defcsch. which, with the Gavottes and Bach's Sarabandc in E (bit, for violoncello solo, formed an excellent of old-world music; lioellmamvs popular "Variations Symphoniqncs," nnd a number of pieces by Arnold Trowell (the clever, young New Zealand 'cellist, now in Europe), Victor-Herbert, Areiisliy, and Popper, so that the coifecrt appears, to have been particularly int; resting.