MUSIC.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1563, 5 October 1912, Page 9

MUSIC.

("By Tredle Clef.i Royal Choral Society. In conjunction with the late ColeridgeTaylor's cantata—"A Tale of Old Japan" —which the Royal Wellington Choral Society is to perform at the Town Hall on November 8, the society will sing for tho first tinip in Wellington Franco Lcoui's beautiful song cycle "Fairy Dreams" (lyrics by Edward Teschmaker). Tho cycle includes some charming -songs, and concerted numbers of a highly melodious character., It will be learned with interest that tho society has definitely decided to perform Bizet's charming opera "Carmen" (in cantata form) next season. The work, which has seen a great revival all over the world during tho last ten years, has been adapted for tho concert platform, ■ and the society hopes to havo the new scores out early in the New Year. In tho meantime tho committee is casting round for a Carmen—not an easy role to fill by any means where tho choice is so limited. John M'Cormack Again. The news that John M'Cormack, princo of operatic tenors, has been engaged by Messrs. J. and X. Tait for a concert tour of Australia and New Zealand will bo warmly welcomed by all who had the pleasure of hearing tho Irish-American singer at the Town Hall last January. On that occasion, it will be remembered that John M'Cormack raised his sweet voice in that fine tenor solo "Thy Tiny Hand is Frozen," from "La lJohcine," "La Donna e Mobile" from Verdi's "Rignletto," and such ballads as "Molly Pawn," "Tho Snowy-breasted Pearl," "t Hear You Calling Me," and "Fur You Alone." On that occasion he completely captivated an audience that filled every seat in the. big Town Hall, and great was the grief of those who were shut out. Mr. M'Cormack has since then sung right through the late Covent Garden opera season, and is now in America. He will probably be supported next year by Miss Rosiua Buckman, the brilliant New Zealand soprano, who went; to London a few months ago upon the recommendation of Mr. M'Cormack. Mechanical Music for Theatres. ' The New York correspondent of a London paper wrote, on July 6: "I fear that the musicians will have cause to regret the step they have taken in refusing to modify their demands upon theatrical managers. At this time of the year managers are considering the advisability of reducing' their expenses to a minimum, if not closing their establishments altogether, and it has happened rather unfortunately for the .musicians that their three years' agreement with tho managers expired on July 1! This has naturally given the managers an opportunity they would be wanting later on, when the season would be in full swing. The plea of the musician that the expense of living makes their increased demands equitable cuts no ice, for there is nothing of charity in business, particularly theatrical business. Managers are out to make money, and as much of it as they can without tho least consideration of individuals, and if food were twice the price, and human endeavour worth less, no humanitarian motive would induce them to give up a. single cent more than they possibly could!

"The meeting of the theatrical managers to consider the demands of the Musical Mutual Protective Society took place at the Hotel Astor (New York). The society demanded an increase in the various schedules, totalling an equivalent of a rise of 13 per cent all round. After the matter had been thoroughly thrashed out, the managers came to tho unanimous decision to refuse the new terms, which were suggested by the society to take the place of those agreed to in a former contract between the musicians and managers. The question arose regarding the position of the managers producing musical comedies, but the assurance was given by the few now presenting that class of entertainment that rather than five way to the new demands they would rest content with pianos instead of orchestras; while the variety -managers announced thai, if the worst came to the worst, they would do ditto.

"It is significant that a new device for musical entertainment in theatres has been tried at, the Hudson. It is a combination of the pianola and a method for the production of violin music from three instruments placed under a revolving bow, the effect being the same as violin's and piano. The result, it is said, was satisfactory, and has set the managers thinking regarding the possibility of doing away with a very-large item in the expenditure of theatrical management. George M. Cohan, the author of "Get-Rich-Quick Wallingford," has announced his intention of installing one of the new music machines in his theatre and doing away with the orchestra. So there is one theatre closed against the musicians." Opera for the Halls. Tho enterprise of the London musichall has been already demonstrated in a variety of ways, and now ocmes the news that Teoucavallo, the composer of "T Fagliacei," has eomplet'/d a new opera expressly for the London Hippodrome. It was'to this theatre that he went across last year to conduct a serifs of performances of "I Pagliaci-i." and the present eonimi'sion from Sir Edward Moss was the. result. The new.opera, which, when the mail left, was being rehearsed under the composer's direction at Monlecalini. near Florence, was announced for production in London on Moinliiv next. It bears the title "I Zingari" ("The Gypsies"), and the libretto, by Enrico Cavacchioli and Guglielmo Emanuel, is based upon a story by the well-known Russian writer Pushkin.

The story, which is of two. rivals for the love of a gipsy girl, ends in trngedv. Leoncavallo has selected his own artists and rhorus for the London production, ami ""ill direct the performance.

Mr. Uaxtcr Buelclev, Welliii»loii's brilliant pianist, is to kivo his fourth recital at the Concert Chamber on Wednesdav, October 18. Ainoii-.tbe novelties will be Hnint-Sacn's "Concerto in G Minor" (with orchestral part on a second piano by Miss Phyllis Hanify). which number has never been played before in Australasia, and Cesar r'ranclc's Sonata in A Major O'or piano and violin), and "Debussy's "impression" "I'oisMins d'Or." Mr.' Hucldev will be. agisted bv Mr. Uerberl lllov Mo-lini.-t). Mr. 'J'. 1). Collins (tenor), and Miss Phyllis Hanify,