MUSIC.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1013, 31 December 1910, Page 10

MUSIC.

REVIEW OF THE YEAR.

(Br Sylvius.)

Tho year has been far from eventless from a musical standpoint. Though we have had no Melbas or Crossleys, wo have |'listened with intense pleasure to the glorious Calvo, and have made our obeisance to the perfect art of' Carreno, who visited Wellington in June, and later in August. visit of Calve gave us an insight into the methods and character of Continental dramatic operatic artists. Her vocalism is as the blood-red ruby compared with 'the .'flawless diamond of Mclba's. After hearing Calvei one can dimly imagine what 'a flame she must have been a quarter of a century ago. With her came Gasparii, one of the' finest tenors we have over, heard, in New Zealand. He was. a happy blend of the lyric and dramatio 'in quality, sang with culture and.finish, and .was, dear ladies, as handsome as a god.. Gasparri will bo heard of again if I mistake not. Andrew Bjack, now mine host at "Phahlert's? 1 Sydnov, paid Wellington a visit in February, last. He sang with all his old-time grit and vigour, but is still, hampered by an objectionable throatclearing mannerism. He is, notwithstanding, a- great artist, who has- never I been assessed at his true value by the 1 Wellington public. In March, we had tho Bosses o th' Barn Baud, to demonstrate how dreadfully behind-hand are our own brass bands. Miss Amy Murphygave a recital in April, and has since appeared (December) with the unlucky Norman-Blitz Concert Company. This popular singer' always keeps herself in good form, and her quality varies but little with the passage of years. _ . .' In May last we had the opportunity of hearing .the talented -Ellwood Trio, of Christchureh, whs have since proceeded, to Bnrops. to study.. Of the three, George, the little 'cellist, gave the most brilliant .promiso ef great things. A matured soul seemed to permeate the playing .of this immature lad, and, as he climbed all over Dr. Findlay's full-sited 'cells, ho played at will upon the heart-strings of his a'udicnce. Harry Ellwood proved himself more than a capable Yiolinist. His full roniid tone was alive with sympathy, and his technique was admirable. The two boys should do well—the girl, well there are so many girls who can strum the piano well enough. Both the Choral Society" and Musical Union have worked hard dnring the year, but they are inclined to be "groovy." - The union did Coleridge Taylor's "Hiawatha," and the Choral Society followed with a part of it, aud both societies have sung "The Messiah" witEin the present month. The Choral Society, however, "jumped tho rails" early in November, when Elgar's "Dream of Gcrontira" was ' sung for the first time in New Zealand. It. 'was an admirable performance, within limits, of a notable work, and served as on educator for- the big performance of the work to be .given by the Sheffield Choiv next year.

A notable event of the year has been the establishment of a Municipal Orchestra, under the direction ef Mr-. J. Maughan Barnett. Thero was a littlo 'trifling opposition to the movement, which disappeared entirely when squarely faced, and, on the public guaranteeing the first year's expenses, the City Council lent its countenance to tho Bcheme, and we now have an orchestra, which has already given three enjoyable concerts, and is full of promise for the future. The Wellington Professional Orchestra, under Mr. Herbert Bloy, has marched forward a good many steps, and its Sunday concerts in the Town Hall are always crowdcd. Such! rational recreation on a Sunday evening should bo welcomed. '■ One of the most surprisingly good concerts of the year-was-that given by Mr. Spencer Lorraine's pupils in the Concert Chamber on November 25. It demonstrated that Wellington, hardly knowing it, has been harbouring a master in the art of vocal instruction—production, enunciation, and. interpretation. His pupils are as enthusiastic over their Uilontod teacher as the audionco was over their work. Wo are to lose Speneer Lorraine shortly—more's the pity. ' Messrs. Horace Hunt and Herbert Bloy have given a, couplo of interesting , piano and violin recitals during the year. Both of t';eso young men are earnest students, who are always worth hearing. The St. Mary's Convent concert was a success, showing that sound vocal instruction is still to bo found in tho old grey building on tho hill. The Liedertafel has sung to us on Tariou3 occasionsits tjuality not being so good as its intentions. Fresh blood is needed. This review would not be completo without a reference to tho 6inging of M. Eugene Ossipoft', a Russian singer from tho Moscow Grand Opera, who sang hera during tho last week, in conjunction with Mr. Lavrrenco Campbell, tho gifted Sydney elocutionist. M. Ossipoß is a superlatively dramatic baritone, with n fine range and ringing robust quality, and his interpretation of such numbers as tlio Toreador's song from "Carmen" and the prologue of "I Pagliaeci" was worth going far to hear. One Australian critic suggested that ha canj "with dynamite in his coat-tail pocket," which is neatly descriptive of the Hussian's style.