MUSIC.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1782, 21 June 1913, Page 9

MUSIC.

TBy Treble Clef.l

"The Secret of Suzanne," In "The Secret of Suzanne," the operetta by Wolf Ferrari, which is fo be pre l sen ted by Joseph Iloycr, and Elena Kirmes in tho Genee and Imperial Russian Ballet programme to-night, Melbourne playgoers will have the opportunity of hearing a delightful little work which enchants by tho loveliness of its music, and creates immense amusement by the humorous incidents and motif of the story. The plot is charmingly naive. Suzanne and her husband, Count Gil, are a. loving, couple, but,. Count Gil has his 'clubi .which: lie ffequents a great, deal, and the' Countess develops a love for tho cigarette, with -which she whiles away the time during her husband's absence. Her smoking, however, she conceals from her husband, fearful "lest ho might discover- what she is afraid he. would regard as a habit of exceedingly bad taste. Each time ho returns, however, the smell of smoke arouses his suspicions. Suzanne denies that anyone has been smoking, but the. suspicions of tho husband grow until they are fanned into tho fierce flame of jealousy by the supposition that, during his absence, his wife must be visited by . a lover who smokes. A number of times the jealous husband endeavours to ascertain the secret of Suzanne—for slio admjts that she has a secret—and, mean-, while his fury leads to distressing sc.enes, and the damage of the furniture. Returning suddenly, however, he again smells ■smoke mid surprises his- wife. Endeavouring to wrest the secret from her lie' bums his finger with a cigarette which she holds in- her hand behind back, and the mystery is cleared up. Then all is serene. As the happy couple go off tho servant smilingly lights a cigarette as tho curtain falls. Mclba's Debut. Mr. James M. Glover, who sets up to be a well-informed man ill tilings musical, told a Midsummer Night's Dream story about the operatic debut, of Madame Melba in "The Stage," London, on May 1. "The first concert of the Professional Debut Society," wrote Mr. Glover, "does not seem to have deluged the town with hitherto suppressed talent. Perhaps it is too early to expect success from such a praiseworthy if Utopian missionary scheme. It must be remembered that even Carl Rosa missed a good thing tho day he forgot to keep an appointment with Mrs. Nellie Armstrong at William Ganz's house in Ilarley Street, for the lady, after waiting for. some time, went away and arranged an appearance with the Covent Garden management as Madame Nellio Melba. So there ore hones yet for the young aspirants."

Mr. Glover should wake up. Mrs. Armstrong went to London from Australia in ISSG. The then unrecognised star singer hail been taught and "coached" in opera for five years by the late Signor Pictro Cecchi in Melbourne. In London the Australian lyric soprano gained the friendship of. Mr. Willielm Ganz, who had been for years Madame Adeliua Patti's pianoforte accompanist, and who was still associated in concert work with tho Queen of Song. Tho veteran pianist was charmed with tho voice and style of tho Australian song-bird. Ho said that she inul been excellently (rained, and advised tier to take up an operatic career. A little later Mr. Ganz arranged a meeting between Mrs. Armstrong and Carl liosa, the manager and conductor of the popular and prosperous Opera Company. The "voice trial" did not take plaro. Carl Rosa had forgotten all about the' new singer. Disheartened by this set-back, Mrs. Armstrong gave up,hope of success in London. Oni) candid friend told her that .she would do nothing in England until she had tho hnll-mnrk of a Continental success.

Acting on the advice of Lndv de Grey, it is said. Signor Cecehi's brilliant pupil wont (o Paris and studied there for opera with Madame Marctiesi, who is now teaching singing in London. The story goes that it was old Madame Marchesi who selected "Melba" as the stage name when the Australian singer made her debut fl_s Gilda in "Kigoletto" at Brussels in 18S7. Tlit' name may be described as an Italian condensation of Melbourne—the_ artist's birthplace. Alter liev success ill Brns-«"l-s Madame Melba was ricomniended to the Covent Garden management by Jeon de Ifo-zke, -the then Tenor-King of the operatic stage. Making an liusensational Convent Garden debut ill I3SS. thesingcr, whose rise to fame was predicted in ISSS by her old master in Melbourne, won her way, *o to speak", inch by inch, until she became the most admired vocal artist at the big London Opera Ilouse.

Note. Miss Violet Mount, who lesuh'd in-Wel-lington lor some years, and played a. leading pari iu "The Grand Uuke," when that opera was staged by-tho Amateur Opera Company, is still touring the halls in England as "L'l neognila." Discreetly masked she sings the arias of all the grand operas and sings tliein with very tine effect. The mask adds an air of mystery anil romance which is carefully fosleied by diligent press ageuls. As Abe Lincoln said: "You can fool sonic of the people all tlie time," etc.