MUSIC.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1449, 25 May 1912, Page 9

MUSIC.

(Bt Treble Clef.)

"Cavalleria Rustlcana." Mascagni's richly dramatic epera, "Cavalleria Eusticana" ("Kustic Chivalry") is to be bung by the Choral Society at the Town Hall on Tuesday week. It is a desirable change to hear a work of this character—a grand opera without which no season in a big centre is complete—substituted for traditional oratorio, as it seems to the writer that tho opportunity of witnessing grand opera is becoming more remote as time passes. Tho operatic productions which, are given in Australia at intervals are not sent to Neiv Zealand, which, however, is expected to be loyal to those plays which fail in Sydney and Melbourne. \Ve did not hear tho Larizza-Sapio Italian Opera Company of ten or twelve years ago; the Melba Opera Company could not be sent (though Melba is still in Australia), John M'Cormick came on his own responsibility, Cisneros is due j back again next month, and Miss Bosnia Btiekman is always available. And we arc not to have the Quintan Opera Company. So it is to the choral societies that wo must look for our grand opera. "Cavalleria" has been happily cast. Mr. Phil Newbury will sing the part of Turridu: Mr. Hamilton Hodges, Alho; Miss Rosiua Buckman, Saniuzza; Miss Muriel Bennett, Lola; and Miss Doris Dall, Lucia. The opera is sure to attract a large attendance. It is understood that; a concert edition of "Carmen' has been published, and it is quite in the cards that, if this is so, we may hear Uizots coloursome music once more. The Latest Grand Opera Co. The Quinlan Opera Company, which the wiseacres said would never daro to follow Meiba and her comrades, commences business in Melbourno next month. The repertoire, an extensive one, which is to bo sung in English, wul ineludo Offenbach's "Tales of Hoffmann,' and Wagner's "Valkyrie," and "Tristan and Isolde."

Writing privately, Mr. Hugh Ward says that the company will carry 150 people, including its own chorus and orchestra, which means that it is the biggest complete opera company ever brought to Australia. Only brief seasons arc to bo played in Sydney and Melbourne, company is in urgent demand in England, having made quite a big success by doing the big operas in English in an artistic way. The company includes among its principals: Miss Agnes Nicholls, the Joinoesquo prima donna, who specialises in Wagner; Ennchetta Onelli, Quitta C'arola, Jeanne Brola, Vera Courleisay, Lizzie Cnsirelli, Gladys Ancrum, Mr. John Coates, Allan Hinckloy, John Tarker, John Harrison, Charles Magrath, and Miss Lolln Miranda. A New Tenor. By the last mail Mine, de Cisneros wrote to Mr. George Portus, of Portus and Talbot, Ltd., in terms of praise of thb tenor whom she was endeavouring to secure—M. Paul Dufault. It lias since been learned by cable that M. Dufault is -accompanying Mmo. do Cisneros to Australia. She wrote:— "One tenor whom I have already heard seems to be absolutely what wo need. Ho is Paul Dufault, a French-Canadian—a charming man socially, and dashing-look-ing. He sings exquisitely. Hβ has a largo repertoire of French, German, Italian, and English songs, besides operatic aria. Hβ is eminently a concert singer. His voice is of a beautiful quality, and his style is perfect—noble unci virile. If-1 can secure him, it will be an excellent score fot us." M. Dufault, when Mme. do Cisneros secured him for Australia, had just completed a tour of Canada. The concert party, of which the third member is the distinguished 'cellist James Liebling, is due to nfi'ivo in Sydney on Juno 6, and opens there on June 22. A tour of NewZealand will follow the Australian tour. Tschaikowsky. I have heard music, and I cannot sleep. I have been in some sad and distant land Where silent steppes to dim horizons creep, . . And long slow rivers wind through choking sand, I have heard winds tempestuous in the night. I have heard waters wailing far away. I have heard forests trumpet in their might, And moon together at the break of day. I have heard voices sobbing in tho dark Because of love and loneliness and pain. I have heard singing when I scorned to hark To twilight, fields and lew skies gray Kith rain.

I have heard marching, and the roll of drums Across those steppes, within (lir.se forests And 1 have felt the sudden thrill that comes Upon the charming of a mighty hymn. I hove heard music, and I cannot sleepMv heart shall know nor peace nor pity ' yet; For in me whirl, like clouds across a deep. Things T can neither niter nor torgct. —H. G. Dwight in "The Century." Notes. Arthur Xikisch, who conducted the London Symphony Orchestra on a concert tour of the United Slates, which began on April 8, was insured for 200,(100 dollars against accident or death by his American managers during a period of thirty days. A new work by Uranvillo. Uanlock, tho distinguished English composer, has been produce-.! in Manchester. It is a setting for chorus and orchestra of selections from Swinburne's "Atlanta in Calydon." Professor Hantock is apparently impressed with the relation of music and colour, and i;avr special directions for the lighting of the hall during Ihe performance. He believes Hint certain tonal effects lire co-related with certain colour effects—the trumpet suggests scarlet, the flute paic blue, the clarinet violet, and so forth. Whether bis ideas turned out to bo successful caun.it b» decided until the critics have done talkins about it. At all events the experiment is an interesting one.

"Those who imagine that a creative artist can, through the medium of his art, express, his feelings at (he moment when be is moved make the greatest mistake. Emotions, snd or joyful can only be expressed retrospectively so to speak. Without, any special reason for rejoicing, I may bo'moved by (he mo>t cheerful creative mood, and,'vice versa, a win-!; nirnposed amid the happiest surroundings may be touched with dark ami gloomy colours."—Tschnikiin>l:i.

Italian paper-; jit ronimont ins mi (ho fnci. that Tiillin SiT.-ilin, chief conductor nl , J,a Scala Open House, Milan, lias refused for patriotic: masons in iimonl an engagement as conductor at Hip Uoynl Opera in Vienna i'or throe, years fit a greatly increased salary. Tlip relations batvp.cn Italy ami Au-trin-lluiicrary liavp l>eeu somewhat bitter fur a long -time.