A NEW CONDUCTOR.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1728, 19 April 1913, Page 9

A NEW CONDUCTOR.

FOR THE ROYAL CHORAL SOCIETY. Mr. Christian Hcllemaniu the new conductor of the Royal Wellington Choral Society,-arrived from Sydney by tho Warrimoo on'X'hnrsdiiy, and will take up his dulties \ after tho performance of "Carmen", next weok. Mr. Ilclleinaim is a native of New South Wales, and, with (lie exception of a - break of a year or two spent in London, lib lias been located iu Sydney, for the past 14 or 15. years. Sonic six years ago ho went to England as an advanced student, and studied a't the Royal Academy of Music—the organ under Dr. Richards, the'piano under Mr. Septimus AVcbb, and composition with Mr. Stewart Macpherson. Although ho puts liltlo weight on musical degrees, lie confessed to being an Associate of ,the Royal College of Music. Tho year ho sat for his degree only two candidates got through, and he mentions as a peculiar coincidence that both hailed from Sydney—himself' from Sydnsy, New South Wales, and the other fellow from Sydney, Nova Scotia. In Sydney he has dono a good deal of work as an organist and conductor. Prior to leaving for London, he composed a score of music for tho vßev. Hillhouso Taylor's drama, "Parsifal," produced most magnificently by Mr. J. C. Williamson, with .Miss Tiltel Bruno and Mr. Thomas Kingston in tho leading parts, and conducted the orchestra himself throughout a run of fifty performances. Although lit- has not published much nnisic.Mio has been u prolific composer of songs, and pieces for the piano and organ. To come to Wellington Mr. Hclleniann had to resien tho conduclorship of the Petersham Congregational Choir and the Enmorc Choral Society, which, nlthough a' suburban body, numbered 180 active members. Ho was also pianist and organist <o tho Royal Philharmonic Society of Sydney. Air. Hellemann, who is a married man, looks forward with interest and pleasure to the work that awaits him in AVellinglon. He had heard of tho good work already done by I lie I'oyal Choral Society here, and modestly hoped to lie aide ifo nuiiiilain the excellent standard set by his predecessor, Mr. Mniizhan Darnell. It is Mr. Hollemann's intention to give an organ recital in the Town Hall on Thursday next, when (he public will bo given an oppcirl unity of judging his capacity a< an nrganUl. lie will be a-.-Wcd by Madame I'in-el'ul'-llni lis, of .MeUminc. Mr. llcllniinmi. it U under, .■sl'uuil. is an applicant for the uoiiticni of city crganisli