MUSIC

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2920, 4 November 1916, Page 13

MUSIC

CBy "Treble-Clef.") Puccini's Operas. Puccini's opcra ; "La Tosea," which lias boon jwrformcd by two distinct companies in Australia, lias been successfully revived by the Gonrates Company in Sydney. As the opera has never been heard in New Zealand, it is hoped.that it will bo included in the repertoire. Puceinis latest opera, "Tabarro," or "The Tragic Cloak," was produced last month. It is said to he a work in the same gruesomely realistic stylo that characterises the plays of tho Grand Cruignol Theatre, Paris. "Hush! No Music, Please." Mr. Lloyd George has spoken eloquently on behalf of music in war time, and what he has to say supplies a sufficient answer to tlioso who say, "Hush I no music, please. There' is a war on." His address was made in connection with tho Welsh National Eisteddfod, held on July 17 last, and ho was moved to indignation over tho remarks of some deprecating, lugubrious writer in "Tho Times," who apparently placed the Eisteddfod in tho category of things indeocnt to be done during a war. "Why should wo not sing during tho war?" says Mr. Lloyd George. ."Why, especially, should wo not sing at this stago o£ the war? The blinds of Britain arc not down yet, nor arc tliey likely to be. The honour of Britain is not cioad. Her might is not brokon. Her destiny is not fulfilled. Her ideals are not shattered by lier enemies. She is moro than alive. Sho is more potent, sho is greater than she ever was. Her Dominions are wider, her influence is deeper, her purpdse is moro exalted than ever. Why should her children not sing? "I know war means suffering. War moans sorrow. Darkness lias fallen on many a devoted household. But it lias been' ordained that tlio best singer against tho birds of Brittain should give its song in tho night, and, according to legend, that sweet song is a song of triumph over pain. . . . Hundreds of wars have- 6wept over these hills, but tho harp of Wales lias never yet been silenced by one of them, and I should be proud if I contributed something to keep it in tune (lining the war hy

the holding of the Eisteddfod to-day. Our soldiers sing the songs of "Wales in tlie trenches, and they hold the little Eisteddfod behind them. Hero is a telegram which says, "Greetings and best wishes to. the Eisteddfod and cymanfalyanu, from Welshmen in tho field. Nest Eisteddfod Ave shall bo with you.' Please God they will. That telegram is from tho 38th "Welsh Division. They do not ask us to stop singing." Should Musicians be Nervous? That is a suggestivo idoa which Caruso sets forth about nervousness in the musician. Caruso says that nervousness is tho secret of his singing being so effective. "The anguish alono makes my voice what it is. Tliero is no personal merit in it.". . . - Mr. E. H. Lemaro once remarked to mc, speaking of organ recitalists, that ho would rather listen to a man who puts "soul" into his playing, though he may make aii occasional slip in technique, than listen to an absolutely correct player, whoso chief concern seems to bo with tho technique. Most of us are like that; and most of tho really "soulful" musicians aro always, I suspect, more or less nervous. Still, I I cannot see how their nervousness, by itself (as Caruso's words imply) should improve their performances—J. Cnth--1 bert Hadden in "Musical Canada" ' (Toronto). Flowers and the-Voice. it may seem a fanciful notion that the odour of certain flowers should dctrimentaly affect the voice. It is by j no means fanciful. Some of tho greatest. singers have proved it to bo very real. Jenny Lind could never be in a. room with strong-smelling flowers, ' and used to say that the odour of v>olets was especially bad for her voice. 1 Christine Nilsson mentions the case of . a celebrated lady singer with whom slio was'appearing in concert some years ago. As they stood in the wings, s waiting for the lirst number on. tho ' programme to bo announced, a friend ' handed in a huge wreath to this singer, J consisting entirely of tuberoses. The t lady thoughtlessly buried her nose; in tho flowers for a' moment, and five minutes later, when sho went on tho j stage, sho found that sho could not g raise a lioto. The vocal chords had been temporarily paralysed. A doctor was called, the flowers wcro removed, and tho singer, after licr throat had been sprayed, was able to appear later in tlio ovoning. Calve upholds Nilssoit's opiniou. Tho ? only flowers sho ever admits into her apartments aro roses and violets. The y tuberose is her especial abhorence, hot P only because it suggests death,, but because of its insidious effect on tho ~ voice., • Upon entering a room where lilies are, sho always wants to throw the windows open. Personally sho oxv cepfcs tho violet from a cliargo of vocal upset, hut other siugers have told lier B that it has been injurious in their case.

Sir Charles Stantley in his "Art of Singing and Vocal Declamation (1908) is very emphatic ahont tho probable illresults upon the voico of having flowers in the concert room or salon; and many prominent, teachers of singing warn their pupils to the sanio effect. Tho present writer was once in a hotel with Mr. Sims Rectos when a local admirer brought in a. lingo floral' tribute and presented it to Mrs. Reeves. This was

about an hour beforo tho great tenor had to appear at a. concert. "Pardon me.' said Mrs. Reeves, "I liopo you will not mind, but I must take your bouquet into another room. You know Sir. Reeves can't bear flowers near him when he is going to sing." So much for the vocalists themselves. j •Notes. Those sterling Russian artists, MM. Mirovitch and Piastro, are to return to Wellington 011 November 15, on which date they are announced to give another concert in the Town Hall. Thoso people who have expressed regret at having missed theso fino musicians will now have tho opportunity to retrieve their regret. Mr. Paul Dufault and his charming littlo concert party, which has been sensationally successful in Australia, will arrive hero from Sydney by tho Riverina on Monday noxfc. Three farewell concerts aro to bo given here 011 Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday of next week. Mr. and Mrs. F. Shipman will arrive with Mr. Dufault.