MUSIC.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1186, 22 July 1911, Page 9

MUSIC.

(Bγ Treble Clef.) . A Mclbd. Concert. la her farewell London concert,at' the Albert Hall, which v:as holii i liltlo liefore the Coronation of Kins Geonje, .Madame Melha was assisted by Mr. John M'C'ormaek and Mr. Edmund Bnrlje, two members of her. Australian Grand Opera Company. The tenor, and the bass were also associated with the. brilliant soprano in opera during May and Jmio'at. C'ovont Garden. In its chronicle, of the. successful concert, a London paper had these comments: "The announcement that it would bo the 'only appearance! j of,] the popular diva on the platform .this season, together with the distinguished list of artists who supported her, atfir.oted a groat audience. Tho prograwmc" ran on familiar lines, (he diva's contributions, boins 'Elsa's Dream' from 'Lohengrin,' the Mad Scene from 'ITamltt,' mid the 'Jewel Hong' from 'Faust,' while she also, joined Mr. M'Corinack and Mr. Edmund Burke in the final scone from tho last-named opera. Madamo Jlelba. was in her best voice, and, sins'ing with that incomparable beauty of tone, effortless ease, and perfect praee of phrasing which give her art such distinction, and so delighted tho au.Heuce that they wanted more after each :;ong and Rot it, her encore- numbers including 'Comin' Thro' tho Eye, .and tho inevitable Tosti's 'Good-bye' There was, as usual, much tribute of bouquets and floral offerings, and every other indication of the warm place that Mmc. Melba holds in the popular affections. Mr. John M'Cormack's beautiful sinking of Les Airs joveux' and Marshall's 'I hear you calling mo' ahcTMr. Edmund Burke's fine declamation of the aria 'Combem des fois from 'Henvenuto Cellini,' were admirable features of the programme. The ne.w bymphony Orchestra, under the direction of Mr. Landon Rouald, accompanied fho operatic selections in admirable stjle. ■

Unprofitable Opera. AH' that glitters is not gold. It liascome out in a Court case in London .that Sir G. H. Clutsam, the Australian composer, did not make, a penny out of-the pertormances of his light opera, A Summtr -Night,", by the fleccliam Company. Mr. Chitsanrwas sued by an -advertisins agency for the cost of (he publication m 'advertisement form of the favourable press notices. The claim was for .£33. Mr. A. Archdeacon, manager for the Bcecham Opera Company, said, the press comments which the defendant wished to 'sco , advertised were quite- apart trom. the ordinary advertisements which his com-p-inv inserted in the newspapers, and which proceeded the favourable comments on the opera. Mr. .CluUam's opera was only given three times—onre at His Majesty's and afterwards at Covent Garden. "Xo'opera'by an English composer had, he believed, been produced with success in England fur many year?. • Mr. Clutsam, in his (evidence, said r.n arranged with the Beeeham Company k.r the production of his opera, but received lij remuneration from them. Af!t;V '.lie first production, in a conversation with Mr. Archdeacon, witness said lie thought he ought to get something out of the opera, and he pointed out that the pre.-'s notices wen; very favourable, and adued that advertising them would do him good, and also do the Bcccham Opera Company good. No suggestion was made to him Ih-it h: , would be expected to-pay for the advertisements, anil when the amnn.nl was sent in to him he at once repudiated responsibility. Judge Woodfall said if it had 'been shown- that !>y the insertion of the personal advertisements the defendant would have benefited pecuniarily, the evidence might hav? been considered to be against him'; But this , was not so. The defendant received, nothing for tho production 'of his opera, ami the inwrtion nf the -idvertm'MK'iii* brought -him no profit, wuo-s it were in the ssnsn of contributing tn iiis vanity. The plaintiffs had failed to make out their case, and there would be judgment for the defendant, with costs. Army Musician Promoted. The promotion to the rank of Major of Captain Arthur ,1. Strtlton, M.V.0., the director of the Royal Military .Schol of Music. Knelli.i- Hall, is nn event il' unique interest, in military music , . 11 is the iirst occasion on which any army musician has attained this rank, .nut shows the interest taken, hy (he War Ollicti in their musical department. Amoral military bandmasters hold the ir.uk of second lieutenant. Major Stiellon was the first musician to alt:iiii the. i;uik »f captain, and has held his appoint-ui'i-.t at Kuellcr Halfsince IS3C."