MUSIC.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1581, 26 October 1912, Page 9

MUSIC.

["By Treble Clef.l

Hall-marked Singers. The visit of Madame ICirkby Lunn to Sydney serves as a reminder that we have heard a remarkably large number of hallmarked singers in this part of tho world. Catherino Hayes and Madame Anna Bishop wero famous when they came to Australia. lima di Murska was also one of tho world's most brilliant song-birds. Wo have heard all the members of the best English oratorio quartet—Madame Albani, Madame Patey, Sir Charles Santley, and Edward Lloyd.

Besides these artists the advantage has been ours of hearing Carlotta Patti, the sister of la diva, Agatha States, Sarah Flower, Ella Russell, Louise Lablancho, Fanny Simonsen, Lucy Chambers, Madamo Boemu. Madame Christian, Annis Montague, Kate Thaver, Marion Burton, Belle Cole, Madaiuo Dc Vere Supib, Evangeline Florence, Fraulicn Fillunger (who showed us how German songs should ba sung), Antoinette Link, Antoinette Sterling, Alice Estey, Antonia Dolores, Clara Butt, Madame Calve, Madame Enriqusz, Madame Alva, Agnes Nicholls, Edna Thornton, Elennora de Cisncros, Miss Elizabeth Pnrkina, Signor Foli, Orlando Hurley, Barton M'Guckin, Alec Marsh, Chas. Mograth, Phil Newbury, Snsini, tho great basso, Watkin Hills, Kenneiiey Rumford, Andrew Black, Ben. Davies, John M'Connack, Charles Saunders, Samuel Masters, John Harrison, Durward Loly, Harold Wilde, G. H. Snazelle, and John Coates.

Madame Melba heads the list of Australians who "returned victorious" to their native land. ' Anions the Australians who have sung hero after winning their laurels in other lands are Ada Crossley, Lalla Miranda. Mary Conly, Amy Castles, Hetty Holroyrt (Esta D'Argo), Kato Eooney, Amy Shorwin, Eva Mylott, Marie Narelle, Pliil Newbury, and trier Dawson.—Sydney "Sunday Times." Attributes of a Great Singer. Writing of Madame Kirkby Lunn, the "Sydney Morning Herald" says:— "We ore not as a musical public particularly well qualified to focus the real and only signs and tokens' of great contralto singing. And for that reason it is cot easy even for a gTeat-voiced, greatfouled artist like Kirkby Limn to penetrate all at onco our murk of vocal ideas. To establish herself amongst us as the clear, shining luminary of the vocal art she undoubtedly is, Kirkby Lunn needs of us time, of herself patience. Never again, surely, will anyone who has come within the spoil of this lovely voice, and has caught some of the finely sincere art behind it, and has been able to measure in any degree the supreme technical accomplishment impelling it—neve again, surely, will such an one be misled into believing that, a great artist is a matter somehow connected with preliminary paragraphs, or platform nods or becks, or any other irrelevancy. On the coatrarv, surely, everyone who has heard the singing of Kirkby Lunn will have gathered that a great singer is simply and solely an issue of the gifts and graces that bear direction art, and that essential to them, and high among them, are dignity of conee.ntion, and beauty of exposition, and subtlety of interpretation, and. refineniant, ami strength, and line qualities of heart and brain, and a lofty outlook."

Gustave Kerker Again. Gustavo Kerker, who composed tho haunting music of "The Belle of New York," has produced a musical comedy entitled "The Grass Widows," which has been produced by Mr. Tom B. Davis, at the Apollo Theatre, London. In the course of its notice on tho work, the "Daily Telegraph" said:— "Mr. Kerker is no longer content to catch the popular ear by flowing tunes rippling refrains; his style has broadened and deepened. Certainly we should ke tho last to quarrel with him on tho grounds of such an alteration were it not that to a. considerable degree we miss in 'The Grass Widows' tho ease, the simplicity, nnd the tunefulness that, after all, are the first essentials of comic opera. From timo to (ime the old musical Adam peeps out, as in the duct between Tntjana and Honorka, 'Aro Wo Widows, Wives, or What.?' tho trio, 'I Like the Sb»- Girls,' and Count Boris's song, 'Buzz oh, Little Busy Bees.' Here we have rhythm, melody, and sprightlincss in the' composer's old and popular vein. Again, the spirited and massive finale, both (o (he first and second act, calls for unqualified praise—praise of which a considerable proportion must justly be awarded to the chorus, whose singing throughout the evening deserved all commendation. Mr. Kerker seemed less happy in (he purely comic numbers assigned' (o Mr. Alfred Loslor and Miss Dorothy Mintn. But perhaps it is hardly fair lo judge him in this connection, seeing tlinl neither artist, undoubtedly clever as both are, shines as a vocalist. Unquestionably his very best effort was (he highly dramatic song, 'My Man.' in which Miss Constance Drever scored one of the chief successes of the evening. It came just at the. right moment, too, in the middle of the last act, when-the thoughts of tho audience were (liming towards last trains and (he difficulties of getting home. All these considerations, however, were promptly forgottcn in (he tumultuous outburst of cheering and applause which greeted Miss Timer's triumphant delivery of Mr. Ko.rkvr's ballad."