MUSIC.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1174, 8 July 1911, Page 9

MUSIC.

(Br Tkeble Clef.) A Combined Choir. Auckland lias taken up Dr. Charles Harris's suggestion of forming a big combined choir on the lines of the Sheffield Choir, which has now been in existence since 1872. Steps are now being taken to procure a set of wind and brass instrument's, which will harmonise in pilch (the Continental) with the organ that has been presented to the city by Jlv. Henry Brett, and, as an initial step, it is proposed to organise a grand choral concert to mark the opening of the new Town Hall in that city. The combined choir is what Wellington—just as much as Auckland—stands in need of. At present there are two choral societies in this city, who strive more or less earnestly to do justice to works that really demand a big choir. Jn some cases the performances given during the past two years have not been up to the standard that it. is possible to set, and ibis questionable whether, under the present twochoir system, Wellington will be able to do much better in the future. The Sheffield Choir has demonstrated to what a high pitch of excellence a choir tan attain by assiduous practice under a capable conductor. With this example before us, should we be satisfied with the' efforts of a choir of only 100 or 125 voices? The formation of a big choir—to embody all the serviceable choral singers in Wellington—would bo a great achievement', and its oxisteneo would, I feel sure, create a spirit'of enthusiasm which-would"Va;sn the standard of our choral performance n little' higher than they are at present. It is ages since we had a musical festival worthy of the name in Wellington, and, until we get a workable combination, such is out of the'question. AVe have the hall, the organ, the vocal material, and a municipal orchestra. All (hat is needed is a set of-new wood-wind and brass instruments tuned to the low pitch, and a little reasonable reciprocity, and performances could bo given that would tend ero long to raise the standard of music generally in this city.

"Tho Count of Luxembourg." The King and Queen were, present at the "first night" of Franz Lehar's opera, "The Count of Luxembourg" at Daly's Theatre, London, in May. The composer, who conducted tho work, was congratulated by the King upon tho charming character of his music. The plot relates to the adventure of tho impoverished count in marrying tho lovely Angelo Didier, in order that he may gain a. fortune of .£20,000. The music, it is said, reveals skill and melodic charm throughout the score. The sensation of tho evening was a wonderful waltz, in which Miss Lily Elsio and Air. Bertram Wallis pirouetted up tho semi-circular staircase in the reception hall of the Grand Duko Rutzinoy. At this feat the audience "broke into frenzied applause." Farewell to Santlcy. Santley's farewell was a great musical event of London last month. The famous Euglish baritone, bearing his years over so lightly, said good-bye at the Covcnt Garden Opera House to tho public whoso hearts he had never failed to stir. 'This was at a inatineo arranged in his honour. Sir Herbert Tree, who took a prominent part in organising tho performance, appeared in an act of Louis X'arker's adaptation of Rene Fauchais's "Beethoven," and was supported by Mr. Henry Ainlie, Miss Hilda Antony," and other members of his company. Mdmo. Kirkby Lunn, Mr. Darmel, and Mr. Huberdeau gave an excerpt from "Samson et Dalila," conducted by Mr. Percy Pitt; Miss Maud Allan was seen in her "Peer Gynl" dances; and Miss Adeline Gcnee, assisted by Air. Gordon Clcathcr, appeared in the fantasy of Dora Bright, entitled. "Tho Dryad." Add to these features songs by Miss Maggie Toyte, Mr. Ben Davies, Miss Ruby Holder, and Air. Harry Lauder, and it will be seen that the entertainment was full of interest and variety. The great—although tho last —feature of the afternoou was, of course, the appearance of Sir Charles Saul ley as Tom Tug in "The Waterman." 'With all the enthusiasm characteristic, of him. he sang "The.Jolly Young Waterman," "Farewell, my Trim-built Wherry,'' and his own patriotic "Sons of the Ocean Isle," stimulating his hearers to demonstrations of the most impressive warmth. Just as the curtain was about lo fall, Sir Charles raised his voice again, this time in "Rule, BriV.innia," in which he was joined by the members of the company supporting him. And when tho curtain was raised again in response to eidhuMaslie cheers, he. sang the solo in the National Anthem, and inspired (ho whole audience to add their voices to those on the olLcr side of the footlights. London Retains Sir Henry Wood, Sir Henry Wood has decided, after all, not to accept the po<=t ottered him in New York as conductor of the Philharmonic Orchestra, in succession to Gustc.v Mahler. At least on one previous occasion another definite offer came to him from the other side of the Atlantic, in connection with the Pittsburg Orchestra; His acceptance of the New York appointment would have meant his giviiiK uii a great deal of work, for, apart from his constant activities with the Ouren's Hal! Orchestra, lie is now conductor of the festivals in Birmingham. Norwich, Sheffield, and AVestmoiiand. Next srason, moreover, Manchester and Liverpool will claim his services. i The "Svdnev Morning Herald" elates that Lady Norah Noel was specially encaged to sing the role of Echo iii Dr. Charles' Haniss's "Pan." T.':e alxiirriily of lhi< statement is borne out bv the fact that I'.oho lias only about a 'ilnzen notes to sing, and Lady Norah declined to .sing tho mii-de, which has all a lain been 'line by Miss Willcby, who doubles it with Syrinx.