MUSIC.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1419, 20 April 1912, Page 9

MUSIC.

(Bt Thedle Clef.) Opera Production Rights, In lost issue wo published the claim niado by the Covent Garden Opera Houso to the production right of certain operas. A lot of theso had been produced by Mr. Oscar llainmcrstein at the Loudon Opera House. Mr. Hamniorstein has addressed a letter to Mr. Neil Forsyth, of the Covent Gar-, den Opera House, in which he says: "Your letter which appeared in the press is a direct address to me, there being nobody else conducting grand opera but myself at present. You enumerate a number of operas of which you claim tho Covent Garden Opera Syndicate to possess the solo producing 'rights, and that you will, in case of non-compliance with your edict, teach me 'to hecomo familiar with tho process of law known as an injunction ' "I will at once place ono of tho operas you claim to own exclusively, on my repertoire, advertise (ho production, and await the process of law you desire mo to becomo familiar with." Miss Felice Lyno's Marguerite Miss Felice Lync, as sho bit by bit extends her repertory, is hopelessly spoiling us (says a London paper), for these'matronly prima, donnas whoso voices are their one qualification for the representation of girlish and guileless operatic heroine like Gilda, Aniina, Lucia, Uosina, and Marguerite, writes a I/andon musiccl critic. Last month she was Marguerite in Gounod's "Faust." at tho London Opera House (for tho first time). She sang as sho has sung from tho beginning— as one who has never exerted herself in learning how to sing, singing" coming to her as naturally as to a thrush. Sho was different from every Marguerite that ever was, and was bewitching. Sho was a slight, pathetic, helpless figure that lent a new emotional appeal to tho part, and etherialised it. Madame Kirkby Lunn, the famous contralto, is to leave England in August for Australia. Madame Lunn is considered the finest English platform artist at present before the public. Eleanora de Cisneros. Eleanora do Cisneros is shortlv to undertake a concert torn 1 of Australia under the management of tho new firm of Portus. and Talbot, Ltd. Do Cisneros was a Now Y'ork girl—Eleanor Broadfoot—born of Scotch and Irish parents. Her musical genius was recognised in girlhood, and, when only I'Ji years old, she mado her debut in the Metropolitan Opera House, New York. It was a compliment that was paid to tho voiing star by her native city. The Metropolitan Opera House opens its doors, as n rule, only to artists who have an established European reputation, and . this young mezzo-soprano was tho first. American girl to begin as a star in grand opera in tho Metropolitan. In 1902 de Cisneros went to Italy. Sho played there in the fifteen principal opera houses of tho Peninsula, including La Scala at Milan, the very centre of the world for music-lovers. Other Italian theatres which liavo heard her voice are the San Carlos, in Naples, tho I'eggio, at Parma, and tho lioggio at Turin, all famous names in tho history of grand opera. Strauss's "Mlectra," ono of the most remarkablo of grand operas of recent years, gave do Cisneros an opportunity for a wonderful triumph. Tho singer took tho part of Clytemnestra in the first production of this cpora at La Scala, Milan. After Italy, Lisbon. .In tho Portuguese capital do Cisneros went, through a brilliant season. Tho King ami Queen of Portugal are said to have attended the opera every night, and so absorbed were the music-lovers of the city that, with the exception of twenty-live seals, the whole of tho house was reserved cverv night for its regular patrons. Covent Garden welcomed de Cisneros in 130-1, when she was associated in an opera season with Melba and Caruso, tho conductor being C'ampanini. Tho Amoriran seasons of dc Cisneros. whether in tho Manhattan Grand Opera Company or the Chicago Grand Opera Company, have been successions of convincing triumphs, frcvertheloss. thcra is iu doubt that it was in her Australian tour last year with Melba that I ho great singer endorsed her splendid reputation. Saint Saens, the composer of "Sansone ct Dalila," was anxious that in May of this year Mine, do Cisneros should open in that opera in Paris. It is her finest role, but she has not yet played it in the French capital. This engagement, however, was postponed to allow for the Australian concert tour, to bo arranged. Tho Paris season is a permanent engagement with Mine, de Cisneros whenever sho wishes to fulfil it. Jler voice has a splendid range, enabling her to take contralto or mezzo-soprano parts with -equal success. The range extends from G !>;•- low (o the high C sharp. With this wide range, her perfect voico can undertake so many different scores that she ho« a repertoire of forty-two operas, in all of which sho has been successful. Fur her coming tour, Mine, do Cisneros has carle Wanche to select the best artists to sup. j port her, so that a rare festival in music js proaiiiod Australia, I