MUSIC.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1722, 12 April 1913, Page 12

MUSIC.

TBy Treble Ckef.l 1 "Carmep's" Composer. On Tuesday week lovers of grand opera will bo given ail opportunity of hearing Georges Bizet's opera, "Carmen," and though it will bo performed in concert form, bereft of tho gorgeous colour schemes in soenery and dresses and minus tho foverish action that murks tho passionate Spanish story, enough remains in tho music to entrance tho car. The opera is founded on Prosper Merimeo's story, and was • written by Meilhac and Halcvy. 'Die composer was bora in Paris on October 25, 1838. Ho was born of a musical family, and showed astonishing musical aptitude from childhood, and is said to havo been able to distinguish tho degreos of, tho sealo as soon (is tho letters of tho alphabet. When ho was eight his delighted father sought to enter him' at tho Conservatoire, but the age-limit was. against tho. boy. ■ :i ; very young.";-said, iM:Meifrcd, a prominent member of iho committee, somewhat superciliously,'* "That's true,": said Georges s • father; "but. if ho is small by measurement lie is great in knowledge. - ' VEoallyj what he d0f"..... , "Plactf yourself' at'tho piano,' strikg chords, and he will name them all without a mistake." . • The test was applied with success, and so struck was tho. committee . with his ability that tho doors of tho Conservatoire wero opened to him. Thero he.won a competition for a prize offered, for tlio best opera by Offenbach. Bizet's effort was bracketed with Lecocq for first place. He won the-Prix de Romo (like Gounod). On his return from a tour of Europo he wrote an opera, entitled "The Fair Maid of Perth." In 1872 he produced "Djamileh," which was not a success, and wrot<? the incidental music to Dandcfs play, "L'Arlsienne," which is of great merit, and is often played to-day by orchestra. "Patrio," a dramatic overture, was first .played on February 15, 1874. Then came "Carmen." The public, a? has been often told, received it with frigid indifference. But what of that? Bizet had faith in the future of his opera, but, alas, ho fell with his foot on the threshold. .On tho morning-of June 3, 1875,' it was whispered through" Paris that Bizet had died during the night. Tho composer had been stricken in his residence at Bougival, and had passed away with little suffering. Ho had been subject to angina pectoris since ho was a boy. The anxieties and hard work connected witli "Carmen" had proved too much for him. Pasdeloup's orchestra played Bizet's own overture, "Patrie," over his grave, and Gounod was one of the pall-bearers. Pigot tells that some time before his death, Bizet destroyed ever}- M.S. which appeared to him to bo short of perfection! Ho destroyed with a pitiless hand all that. seemed unworthy to survive; doubtless with injustico to works of incontestable interest and artistic flavour. Luckily. "Carmen" remains. Tho opera is to bo sung by tho Wellington Royal Choral Society op Tuesday, April 22. Lehar's Latest Opera, The new comic opera by the composer of "Tho Merry Widow" is to be produced this month at Vienna. Interviewed whilo in London early in February, Mr. Marc Klaw, the, well-known American manager, said: "I have been in Vienna. Franz Leliar played over to mo the score of his new opera, "l'ho Ideal Wife,' which is to have its first performance in March. It is really a farco set to music. '"L'ho story narrates how a husband and wife, giowing tired of tho monotony created by being always together, agree to separate.- Later, t'lio wilo reappears, disguised as his own sister, tho latter being in every respect tho very antithesis of herself. This, however, is by no means the conclusion of ft talo which works out through a series of amusing complications to a happy ending. 1 was delighted with Lehar's score. In it ho returns to his earlier and moro tuneful method. It is just the sort of music certain to appeal to tho popular ear. I have secured tho American rights of tho piece, which I daresay will bo introduced to England by Mr. George Edwardes." And, as is tho way of London, to Australia. Emmanuele Dc Beaupuis. The Into Emmanuele De Beaupuis, tho distinguished Sydney pianist, belonged to a family for some time settled in Naples. His grandfather, a French cavalry officer, was A.D.C. jto Murat at tho timo that fiery brigadier was proclaimed King of Naples by liis brother-in-law, tho Emperor Napoleon Buonaparte (1808). This officer's son became eminent as coinposer of sacred music, some of which is still in the repertoire of tho church choirs of tho famous Italian city; and his 6on, evincing in turn a special talent for tho art, was carefully taught by him from the age of six years. Young Do Beaupuis entered tho Naples Cousorvatorium in boyhood, and remained thero seven years, winning tho highest awards for orchestral composition and piano. His principal teacher of 4'iauo was Benjamin Cesi, Thalborg's favourite pupil, wh,o visited llussia, and settled in St. Petersburg for sonio years on tho staff of the imperial Conservatorium, then just founded by Rubinstein. Touring then occupied Siguor De Beaupuis, and eventually took him to Cairo, where, weary of travelling Europe and lured by reinmiera-' five prospects and the musical atmosphere of the French quarter, he remained fur mk year*. He left I lie Egyptian capital for ' Mi'Pjourue, as already anted, in when bo was a-seeiated with Charles fiantlejv